Reporting neighbours wood burner

[Smallngrumpy]

About 3 months ago my neighbour had wood burner installed . From day it has totally stank, a sort of overpowering acrid smell accompanied by black smoke. I can't hang my washing up, or open bathroom window when have shower or even just sit in my living room as comes through vents.
I have spoken to them but it didn't go down well and nothing has changed.
Everyone says to report but is there really any point?
TLDR is there any point reporting my neighbours wood burner?

You have nothing to lose. If they don’t have the consideration to burn seasoned wood so there isn’t black smoke belching out, weren’t neighbourly when you tried to speak to them directly, then all you have left is to report it to the council.

You have my sympathy, we can’t open any of our windows without the house filling with smoke but at least it isn’t black!

villageandcottage.com/log-burners/can-i-complain-about-my-neighbours-wood-burning-stove/

Has anyone ever reported this, what happened?

Sounds like they are burning wet wood

They should have their chimney lined if it's coming through your vents. Totally unacceptable

Sorry, meant the vents in my windows. Like to leave them open to stop mold and condensation.

dark smoke is technically illegal. There is a scale you can find online to determine whether the darkness of the smoke is ‘dark enough’ to be illegal. It’s called the ringleman chart. It is a legal ‘nuisance’ as well. Those are the two things you can report them for.

we moved house to get away from this sort of neighbour many moons ago. Back in those days environmental concerns were less of an issue and so environmental health weren’t interested. These days I’d report without hesitation and expect it to be taken seriously.

Yes you can complain. Keep a log for a week or so, with pictures if possible. The local authority will issue a warning. They won’t tell your neighbour who complained, but as you’ve already mentioned it, your neighbour will of course guess.

just be prepared for some fallout. Ours glares at us every time he sees us.

Keep a log for a week or so

Log 😀

Already been videoing for week or so. Just need to get nerve up to report.

You might burn your bridges with them ;)

Maybe share the video and someone can advise if it's too dark. Ours often kicks out darker when the kindling is burning but settles down once the logs catch. It does smell but we only light it when it's cold and you wouldn't have the washing out then.

Are you in a smoke control area?

Is the smoke coming out from a high flue or chimney ? Not sure why it is coming in through your windows ?

It really stinks. Pungent acrid and disgusting. I believe it wet wood but also stuff from when they did their extension.

Yes we are

The wind blows across the back of my house bringing the smoke and stink with it. It's worse downstairs than upstairs

That could be wet wood but it could also be they are learning to use it and haven't got enough air going into the stove. That's not as bad as some I have seen. I would give them this winter as the season is coming to an end and see what it's like next year vs burning your bridges now

@Grumpybutfunny This is what Im thinking but theyve had it 4 months now. It is so awful and sick of not being able to open my door or windows.
I am worried cos I saw him chopping some wood other day and putting it in his store, so maybe gonna continue next year.

Gawd, it's probably treated wood and poisonous. I'd report this asap.

All the best , on windy days it usually carries the smell but they can be a mix

Definitely report to the council in that case, they will get fined.

@PomPomSugar But will they get fined? Im not sure what will actually happen. From what Ive read, if I complain they get a warning letter and then investigate if doesnt get better.
What does it mean to investigate though?
As far as Ive read, very few people are actually fined, so Im risking this fallout for nothing. ( Not that I care about fallout as I already dont like my neighbours anyway)

I dont understand how its coming in your house, is the guttering in the picture, your guttining to the roof?

Hi op , I reported my neighbour to environmental health. They couldn't do anything, I'm not in a smoke free zone . They did advise all I could do was ask my neighbour to use smoke free fuel. He too is chopping wood so I presume this will be ongoing it's horrible not being able to open windows.

@bellac11 This is their guttering. We are a semi detached and this flue is attached to their side extension, so quite far away. I have no idea why we are getting the smoke but we are.
It is being pulled, pushed, blown across and down the back of our houses. It even goes around the side of the house between me and my other neighbour. The wind always does this . If I open my back door I am met with the smoke smell, so my doors and windows are shut, except my window vents.
We have actually had a few days this week that wind changed direction and the smoke was being blown over the roof to the front, and everyone else in this area got to experience it too.