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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think my neighbour should be invoiced by the fire service for all the resources he used

67 replies

quittinaeete · 01/03/2019 10:24

Neighbor last week had a chimney fire and the fire service were out for 3-4 hours putting it out and risking themselves on his roof (with ladders). He constantly has fires going for 10 months of the year.

Overheard him joking that it was probably because he hadn't had it swept in years and they saved him a job as they gave it a good sweep after putting it out.

I have mine swept every year even though I don't use the wood burner that often.

This guy was very negligent and from the sounds of it caused the fire himself. Why shouldn't he be invoiced for this?

OP posts:
HirplesWithHaggis · 01/03/2019 16:37

It was funny to me, Chakira, because as I said, in over 30 years I have never been offered a "certificate of chimney cleaning" and the idea seemed ludicrous, because sweeps ime have not been "professionals" issuing paperwork. I phone them, they tell me when they can come, they turn up, do the job, get paid and leave. No paper changes hands.

However, I will ask for a "certificate of chimey cleaning" next time they're here. See what they say. Maybe the job has become more professional recently with the advent and massive popularity of woodburners, it was certainly a dying trade.

BatsAreCool · 01/03/2019 16:41

Surely if the certificate burnt with the house as long as you didn't pay in cash you have proof of paying them.

BatsAreCool · 01/03/2019 16:44

HirplesWithHaggis my chimney sweep is HETAS certified so maybe that makes a difference in issuing certificates as he is also certified to fit them etc.

BatsAreCool · 01/03/2019 16:45

To clarify he is certified to fit log burners etc.

TheSilveryPussycat · 01/03/2019 16:46

Round here a few decades ago some people used to clean their chimneys out by setting fire to them! Shock

Spidey66 · 01/03/2019 16:50

@Tinklewinkle13 I'm very envious of you being in a relationship with a fireman Wink. They're my preferred emergency service.

DISCLAIMER: Lighthearted, before the MN mob jump on me.

HirplesWithHaggis · 01/03/2019 16:52

BatsAreCool (yes, they are!) that could be the difference. I have an open fire in a house that's about 120 years old and cleaning the chimney is a straightforward job.My sweeps are two blokes with a wee van, a vacuum thingy and some sheets, and it's really just unskilled manual labour, no certification required. Or, obviously, offered.

TheSilveryPussycat · 01/03/2019 17:06

My son is a firefighter. I'm wondering if I dare to ask him about the cock rings. BlushBlush

PolarBearDisguisedAsAPenguin · 01/03/2019 17:10

@TheSilveryPussycat please do! Grin

How2Help · 01/03/2019 17:48

Thanks reallybadidea and FaithInfinity, that all makes sense.

Original poster
quittinaeete · 02/03/2019 07:42

It's concerning the number of people laughing at sweep certificate when it's basic practice and who also didn't know about carbon copy duplicates Shock

OP posts:
Tookal · 02/03/2019 07:56

I think the point still stands though that had your neighbour been worried about the fee, he may have tried to manage it himself or held out on calling services then the fire could have spread to adjoining properties.

I live near a local park and in the summer there was a huge fire that damaged most of it caused by someone not putting a bbq out correctly. Don't get me wrong the damage was vast but they called the fire service. If they had chosen not to then i wouldnt have a home right now.

To stop fires spreading we rely on early calls and people cant hesitate on making the call.

Original poster
quittinaeete · 02/03/2019 08:06

TBH if he was worried about the fee maybe he would have bothered to sweep the chimney in the last 3 years.

If my neighbours chimney is on fire it's not his choice if the fire service attend, anyone could have called them and then present him with the bill.

It's just not the same as a BBQ, he chooses to have fires all the time and not bother to do the very very basic maintenance that entails.

OP posts:
bowchicawowwow · 02/03/2019 08:10

@HirplesWithHaggis I thought your building and contents insurance was invalid if you didn't have a annual certificate to say your open fire / burner had been swept. I lived in rented homes for years and it was something I organised as I chose to use the fire. No, it's not rocket science sweeping a chimney, I have the brushes in the garage, but it's having the HETAS certificate which keeps your insurance valid.

How2Help · 02/03/2019 16:42

It's concerning the number of people laughing at sweep certificate when it's basic practice and who also didn't know about carbon copy duplicates

Why would I know? I’ve never had a chimney.

HirplesWithHaggis · 02/03/2019 19:22

bowchica I have no idea, I am not responsible for buildings insurance and my lease says nothing about it. I don't have contents insurance by choice. But I do get the lum swept annually anyway, no idea how we'd prove it though.

TheSilveryPussycat · 03/03/2019 16:41

I asked son about cock rings. He had heard stories that the fire brigade had attended A and E due to them, but did not know the sordid details. Although he did say they had a special cock ring tool (no pun intended). I'm pretty sure he wasn't winding me up. Perhaps the poster from upthread can confirm?

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