Im a council tenant. I had a cooker hood installed that extracts outside for all the normal reasons that you get one. Over Christmas my son got a chest infection and landed up oin hospital on oxygen. They said it could have been due to the damp and moisture in the house. I have a very annoying neighbour who complains about everything. I told the electritian that when he installs it he will probably get her complaining to him about it. He did. I said to carry on and tell her to talk to the council. Now in my tenancy agreement there is nothing about extractor fans needing permission. When the council changed the kitchen they also said that if I purchased the cooker hood myself then the contractors could fit it. Unfortunately I didn't have the money at the time. My oven faces the wall to the alley way between the houses. I looked up all the guidance on installing these. It said that domestic steam or food smells are not a statutory nuisance. It also had regulations that an extractor should be fitted to kitchens due to the high humidity of the area. There were guidelines on placement of exhausts but I think this was for boilers as the fumes that are emitted from them. So fast forward and she has complained to council about it and moaning she does not want smells. She is a chain smoker so I frequently smell her cigarettes. Something that I have worked around and installed this fan for this reason. Smoke drift seems to mainly affect the kitchen. So I was planning to use it to extract the smoke drift out.
The council contacted me today and said I should have got prior permission because it comes under installation of central heating, shower, etc. It is none of these categories. So I'm fine with filling out the retrospective permission form. Only this is going to cost me an extra 100 to 500 and they may not even allow me to keep it. I feel like the housing officer is continually siding with this neighbour and I have a feeling they are friends. If she can find a clause or loop hole that she can get me within this ladies complaint she will. What do I do about this?