neighbours wanting to vent their tumble dryer into my garden

[littlemissmagic]

Sorry not sure if this is legal or property but after some general advice

Some new people are moving in next door and are having some work done on the house before they move in.

The wall of their utility room forms a corner wall of my patio. There are already 2 air vent type vents there.

Today the builder asked me politely if he could come into my garden to access the back of the wall as he is fitting a vented tumble dryer

I said yes but will check the hubby is OK with it when he gets back home.

DH is not sure that we will want hot air blowing across our patio from some one elses tumble dryer.

I'm not too sure what to do. I don't want to cause any adverse effects to my property so the new neighbours can have a vented dryer, but I don't want to fall out with them either!

Can anyone offer any advice? Thanks.

I don't think it will be an issue. When it's cold/wet enough to use a tumble drier you won't be sitting out, will you? And the air that will come out will be the strength of a fart - not a wind tunnel.

It's air. Not raw sewage. You might be getting off on the wrong foot with your new neighbours if you object to them pumping some warm air occasionally into your garden.

I'd say something to them, because I wouldn't want my garden to reek of someone else's washing powder/fabric conditioner. Some people tumble dry all year round, so you might find yourselves sitting out in a fug of scented tumble dryer air.

They could get a condenser dryer

out tumble dryer vents out near our patio and tbh you dont even notice it really, i dont use any fabric softerns or scented stuff, so not sure if that would make a difference?

i am not sure if you can stop them as its THEIR wall ifyswim? as it alreayd has vents this is essentially another vent and their choice?

I'd have to think twice about this.... Won't the vent conduct the noise of the tumble dryer directly onto your patio?

Our neighbours refused to let the previous occupant of our house vent our aga into their garden... Perfectly reasonable, they didn't want the cooking smells, and an alternative solution was found.

i would be arsed off with it!

we have a condenser it's the easier option isn't it

Hmmm, not sure. If it was in an out of the way corner, then no problem. If it was near where I wanted to sit I think I would say no.

I wouldnt like it either,what about the fluff,you will all be coughing

I'ld be really cheesed off with this. I think the noise and smell would be an intrusion and would irritate me!
I wouldn't be awkward but 1) they could use a condensing one and 2) there is no obligation on you to keep the area clear so the vent can flow onto your patio so that could give them problems

I'm assuming they brought it from their old house or already own it - it sounded like he wanted to come in and do it this week.

Hmmmm still not sure as need to balance annoyingness of it against falling out with seemingly nice new neighbours.

I could never work out whose wall it is. The gutter overhangs my garden but is attached to their house. Crappy new build layout

I'm assuming they brought it from their old house or already own it - it sounded like he wanted to come in and do it this week.

Hmmmm still not sure as need to balance annoyingness of it against falling out with seemingly nice new neighbours.

I could never work out whose wall it is. The gutter overhangs my garden but is attached to their house. Crappy new build layout

Saves buying a patio heater though

If it abuts the boundary of your property it's classed as a party wall but there are no rights under the act to allow your neighbour access to install an extract vent. (there are rights of access for other works but this requires a formal process)
If it were a new build and this was shown on the plans it would not be allowed as it is considered nuisance, however as it's a retrospective installation it's completely up to you I'm afraid.
Personally I'd say no, the fluff and the drips you can get would annoy me as would the noise.
I'd try to explain the no rather than be blunt and say that unfortunately as you sit out on your patio it would be detrimental to your continued use of the area as it would vent out to where you sit. Be apologetic but firm. It's not the end of the world for them... there are other solutions and they did buy the house knowing there wasn't a vent.

I would say yes but only because I love the smell of laundry. I have a condensor now but really miss the smell of a nice vented dryer.

I wouldn't, partly cos if you wanted to sell later, it could be considered to be a negative point. Also, if they need to maintain/ defluff it they will need access to your property. What if it becomes blocked accidentally and causes a fire risk in their house - who would be liable if they could show the blockage to be your leaves or something.
Plus you will have no control as to when warm moist air is vented into your garden.

I would politely say no. My vent is not noisy but you can certainly feel it outside when it is on and I wouldn't want to inflict it on other people.

It is a bit presumptious to organise the work without at least discussng it with you . However polite the builder is it isn't really his job to liaise with you. Could you ask that it is routed higher up so the air emerges above head height ?

What happens if you want to plant a climbing plant or if ivy grew up the wall, how do they plan on keeping the vent clear or are you obliged to make sure you don't block it?

I think you should say no, once you agree and the work is carried out you have given a right of way onto your property for future maintenance, can be tricky for your own house insurance and when you sell.

Wow thank you everyone - I wasn't expecting so many replies. We are thinking of asking if there is an alternative solution with the current dryer or asking they exchange for a condenser if it is possible with a new dryer. Bit inconvenient for them but I think it equals any inconvenience put upon us.

Have been avoiding the builder all day and would really like to send DH round as he is much better as this sort of thing than me - but he is nworking late all week :( Really hate confrontation and awkwardness!

I do agree the new owners should have spoken to me rather than leaving it to the builder as its not really his issue to negotiate, but to be fair the woman looked v pregnant when I met her and may not be available!

Condenser driers are crap.
If it is her wall and there is precedent for venting as there are two air vents already then not allowing access seems a bit unreasonable to me.

If she is v.pregnant she is going to really need that tumble drier. Mine vented out the back door and really - no smells, not a lot of air, nothing problematic.

I have a condenser dryer and it's brilliant.