To be sick and tired of my neighbour?

[feelinghthelove]

For the last 4 years my neighbour has had a burner in his garden, he burns big wet logs, they stink, he installed a chimney in his out house and it was level with our bedroom window, the smoke was horrific. We complained to Env Health and he stopped.....for a while. Then again this summer on the hottest days of the year he did it again. This time I had a 4 month old baby in bed and I was furious! He didn’t see the problem that I had to close all my windows in 28 degree heat!
He had another letter from Env Health and it stopped.
So now he’s installed an indoor burner. Initially we were over the moon, no more smoke and no more smells. Except his flue is just 2 metres from our velux window and my daughters room stinks! I actually though her room was on fire at one point and that’s with the window closed.
I’ve seen a picture of this indoor burner, it sits in the corner on his room, the flue goes up the corner of the wall and through the ceiling into the upstairs bedroom and then up through the ceiling and out the roof.
Is that even safe?
I’m at my wits end.
He is not approachable. He turned up drunk a couple of months ago hammering my door down so I don’t want to approach him.

I would get i touch with the council planning department.

I think planning permission is needed but if not building control definitely is and it doesn't sound like this would achieve building control regs

There are regulations regarding flues from a boiler so I should imagine there will be regulations about flues from an indoor burner. Eg distance from adjoining buildings and the direction it points. Yes, contact the council.

Doesn't really help you OP, but I empathise. Any kind of log burner is atrocious. They stink. My neighbour's stink so much they bring on asthma attacks in me, yet these things are considered environmentally friendly as they're not burning fossil fuels. A few weeks she lit a fire pit, god knows what was burning but I was choking, struggling for breath and next morning my chest was covered in a rash. Think all log burners, fire pits etc should be banned.

We’ve had similar issues with our neighbours log burner. There are regulations regarding the flue, lining ect and I think it has to be installed/signed off by a registered fitter. Contact the council Environmental health again. Also check out the HETAS website. In the mean time get a digital CO detector for your room.
Our issue is resolved now but my next step was to call the fire service the next time I could smell smoke in my home. If you can smell smoke then there is also CO. I believe the fire service would be able to condem the burner immediately if they believe it’s not safe.

yet these things are considered environmentally friendly as they're not burning fossil fuels

No they’re not. Have a look at the Clean Air Strategy. Log burners attribute to air pollution, especially if they use wet logs. The government wants to put restrictions on them.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-46823440

Ring the councils planning dept ... they will send someone out to view this and he will probably have to remove it. He will know it is you that has contacted them so get ready for some fireworks. I would not engage with him and if he get threatening call the police. I sometimes wish I lived in a country house with electric gates and no neighbours for miles .... but that won't happen unless I win the lottery.

www.problemneighbours.co.uk/neighbour-guide-wood-burning-stoves-chimineas.html

Yes, building regs apply. It can also be considered a nuisance. Keep contacting env. health so you have a record.

Installing a flue is often permitted development and doesn’t need planning permission, but you can check with your local authority if this is the case here. Internal changes (I.e. installing the burner inside the house) don’t need planning permission either.

I bet this is breaking fire regulations
Call environmental health and the fíre brigade if necessary, even if only for advice.
Has your neighbour heard of noxious fumes and poisoning? I doubt it.
Get it stopped forthwith.

Thanks everyone. I sent an email to Env Health last night and copied planning in.
I just have a feeling he’s done things “by the book” this time since I’ve complained so much in the past he wouldn’t want to step a foot wrong doing all this. He’s done it all himself apart from getting a roofer round to help with the flue. I’ve just ordered a co2 detecter as well. Still reeks up there this morning. All my daughters things smell too. Not fair is it?

I’d say it’s perfectly reasonable to call the fire service if you can smell smoke... they will take this seriously.

To install a Woodburner, you need to use either a HETAS registered installer, or submit a building regulations application. You need to contact your building regulations department and ask them to check if either was submitted.

Sounds like a fire hazard. Our s go up through an existing chimney and also has insulation.

yet these things are considered environmentally friendly as they're not burning fossil fuels

Only by idiots. They produce more CO2 and lots more particulates. Terrible for the environment.

It sounds safe yes op, and as long as he had it done by a hetas engineer there won't be a problem with it I'm sorry. However he needs to burn the correct type of fuel.

Pretty unreasonable to call the fire brigade if you know it's coming from your neighbours log burner. Don't use public resources to make a point.

He did it all himself apart from getting a roofer round to do the tiles where the flue is

Well they can check it's compliant and not a fire risk but I don't think the hetas requirement is passed into law yet.

Firstly, may I offer my sincere sympathy, I am a previous victim of revolting neighbours.
The best advice I can offer is to consider moving home. I know, it's always a bit hit and miss with neighbours wherever you live, but this man is invading your home (his pollution is, and that's the same thing) and affecting your life.

DS is looking at getting a log burner in his first house. They absolutely do have to be fitted by a HETAS approved installer, and they have to give the home owner a certificate and register in with the council, a bit like windows and Fensa or whatever it’s called.

Hopefully he hasn’t done this so it will be condemned.

Or they need building reg compliance.

It’s very reasonable to call the fire service if you can smell smoke in your home. A properly fitted burner shouldn’t make a neighbours house smell of smoke.

That sounds awful. I did a quick google and diagram 17 may be of use to you. www.woodburningstovesdirect.com/building-regulations-for-stove-and-flue-installations.htm

If the distance is definitely under 2m then it looks like it’s against regulations. You might even want to consider a small claims case for the damage to your daughter’s belongings.

Sympathies op, we live in the country miles from anywhere with only one neighbour and they must have a wood burning aga or something and the chimney is right next to our garden/house. It’s on all year round and absolutely stinks, I had to put a washing line in the front garden as all my washing was stinking every time and all the rooms stink as well. We are now moving

Without a picture or diagram it's hard to be specific but the link below specifically addresses flue position amd the LABC may be able to advise you more accurately if you contact them

www.labc.co.uk/news/chimneys-and-flues-dont-forget-neighbours