Genuinely unsure if IABU

[devildeepbluesea]

My lovely neighbour (rented property) told me on moving in that she works nights as a HCP. This is borne out, as far as it goes - she’s clearly out overnight but only for 1-2 nights per week.

In the meantime I’m pretty sure she’s running a commercial kitchen from her home, and making her living mostly from this.

Are there any circumstances where this is ok? I don’t want to knacker her income stream but equally I’m a bit worried about vermin (lots of evidence of food prep outside in the garden).

You mean there is food rubbish in her garden?

Why does this bother you so much? Is it having and effect on your life?

YABU.

Unless you see vermin I don't understand why you would report your "lovely neighbour" because that's what you're getting at. Why not tell her you've seen vermin and it might be best to clear up the food waste and see how that goes.

Yes this.

And it bothers me because it’s bloody food! No hygiene rating, doing prep and cleaning in the garden, private rented domestic property. I really did t think this was rocket science.

It baffles me how somebody could care so much about how their neighbour makes a living.

I'm not exactly sure what the problem is? Is it disturbing you? Is she leaving rubbish / rotting food outside?

My old flat was directly over my landlord's small commercial kitchen which was an extension on his home.

Never caused any kind of issue.

How does it impact you?

Contact your local council environmental health department

Ok cool. Maybe you’d like to live with the constant cooking smells, worry about food prep in the garden.

She does seem very nice but keeps herself very much to herself. And I’m a bit of a coward and don’t like confrontation. But I guess I might have to suggest she keep it indoors now.

And it bothers me because it’s bloody food! No hygiene rating, doing prep and cleaning in the garden

Don't eat her food, that's half of your problem solved.

What, exactly, is she leaving in the garden?

If you think that then why are you asking?
Go and shop her to the council.

You don't know she doesn't have a food hygiene rating though, do you?

How do you know there's no hygiene rating for the kitchen?

My friend had an official grading done on his domestic kitchen as he makes some small batch sauces and oils etc that he sells.

Leave her alone. Lots of people are offering meals on wheel services , it’s providing a valuable service for some elderly people I know that can’t cook.

Smells, noise (cooking very late at night), concern about vermin.

It might impact her LL’s insurance too.

She's prepping food in the garden?!

So what if she's cooking late at night? What's it to you?

Have you checked if she's registered as a good business? If she is, leave her to it. If she's not, you can get in touch with the council EHO who'll do a check.

You didn't mention smells in your OP. If that's really an issue maybe to chat to her about it.

Other things you mention like LL insurance and food prep in the garden literally have nothing to do with you so why you'd worry about it is beyond me.

So it’s literally the smell of food that’s bothering you. You haven’t seen any “vermin”, you aren’t the landlord and you don’t eat the food. Wind your neck in for goodness sake!

You are not concerned about her LL's insurance. You've got a bee in your bonnet about her and you're clutching at straws. It's none of your business and I don't believe it impacts on you.

Sorry OP but posting on a Friday night does tend to bring out the people who are shocked/baffled etc.
I can see your concern. Food prepping in a garden is a bit odd in itself, and the food waste is a genuine risk for vermin.
I would heavily encourage you to speak with her first though as she may genuinely just not be thinking about the possible impact on others. Doesn't need to be confrontational, just a gentle conversation about you've noticed the cooking and wondered what she's making, then go from there 😊

It would help if you would actually explain what's going on instead of all of these vague responses.

Is the food <clutches pearls> ethnic by any chance?

I do know she has no food hygiene rating.
Yes she’s prepping food in the garden.
No I’m not particularly nosy but, surprise surprise I am vaguely interested in what happens less than 6foot from my doorstep.
Sometimes MN is hilarious. Live and let live - until it affects me. (and it is 🤣)