Neighbors lighting fires.

[Newmum199207]

About once every 2 weeks our neighbors light fires, we have very small back gardens and they always light them right by the windows, are bedroom over looks the gardens and we have to shut the windows due to the smell and the smoke. They even do it when we have washing on the line making us rewash them again. I would understand if they actually bothered to inform us they where planning a fire that day but they never give us any warning. We also have a newborn and it's not far that he has to suffer with us in this heat with all the windows shut becuase of the smell and the smoke. These fires but for at least 4 hours before we can open the windows up again and by this point the house is so warm we have to suffer all night trying to sleep. Like I completely understand it's summer and people like to light fires but surely they should be giving us notice? I don't see how it's acceptable for us to have to shut all our windows especially in this heat and have to put up with it. I wouldn't mind so much if this was once in a blue moon but as stated above it's a regular occurrence.

Our council says fires should be occasional ie not a regular occurrence, ideally when people aren’t likely to be in their gardens and ideally you should give notice. So YANBU. Check if your council has published guidance - I’m sure they do.

have you approached the neighbour?

My partner is really hesitant to approach them about this as he doesn't want to cause friction. I will be checking our local council and see if there are guidelines thank you.

What would or could you do differently if they warned you first apart from take your washing in? You'd still have the same issues regarding the windows and heat no? I wouldn't bother approaching them on it for that reason.

It's the smell that's the biggest issue, so yes being able to have notice to shut the windows would help greatly to keep the smell out as it takes so long to get rid off and gets into all the fabrics.

Is it a bonfire or a fire pit/chiminea fire? If it’s a bonfire and not just occasional you can complain to your council. Any fires at the moment with everything so dry is not recommended.

We've got a persistent bonfire lady down the road, and it always blows over our garden. Her son is a bit of a simple soul and was lighting fresh garden clippings every sunday evening whatever the weather........ I've reported her time and time and time again to the local council, and thankfully a few other people mentioned it on the local village FB page so they all complained too. They've now been served with a notice and have stopped so take photos/videos, keep a diary and report to your local council.

It's a firepit I think? Its not overly huge but still makes an awful lot of smell and smoke.