Free Help & Advice about Bonfires, Bonfire Nuisance and Law
With NFH.mobi & NFHiB, the world's most popular help site, for anyone with neighbour problems.
Bonfire nuisance: Local Authorities
If a Local Authority has evidence that a Neighbour From Hell's or neighbouring bonfire is a statutory nuisance, then your Local Authority will contact your neighbour (they should not reveal who made the complaint, but your neighbour may guess that it is you, so be cautious).
If there is enough evidence of a statutory nuisance, then the Environment Health Department may serve an Abatement Order/Notice on your neighbour (your neighbour could appeal against this Notice to the Magistrates Court).
If the nuisance continues after the serving of the Abatement Order/ Notice, then your neighbour is committing an offence; if found guilty, they could have a fine imposed on him/her. If the case went to Court, then your identity may have to be revealed and you may have to give evidence.
I want to have a bonfire: How can I be courteous about it?
Firstly, if you're reading this - thank you for trying to be considerate to your neighbour! If everyone tried to consider their neighbours more, then hopefully situations and issues wouldn't develop into the existence of Neighbours From Hell.
If you want to have a bonfire, what should you do?
- Speak to your neighbours, see if you can agree a time and site for the fire.
- Keep it away from your neighbours property.
- Keep it away from combustible materials .
- Keep water or fire blankets/extinguishers nearby.
- Stay by the fire at all times and monitor it. Be careful of your personal safety & that of others.
- Don't light it when your neighbours' washing is out.
- Don't light it if your neighbours' are in their garden.
- Don't light it if your neighbours' windows are open.
- Don't burn wet materials, plastic, rubber or other materials which cause dark smoke and noxious, or poisonous fumes.
- Don't let smoke blow onto a road/ public highway.
- Be careful that animals or pets (keep pets inside) don't get injured or alarmed by your bonfire. Check for nesting animals in the bonfire before you light it.
If you're worried about any bonfire and its safety, then you must never hesitate to call 999 and ask for the fire brigade. It could save your or others lives!
Find your local fire & rescue service and read more information about Fire Safety.
More Help and Advice?
Remember: That if you are currently selling your property or plan to in the future all disputes with your neighbour that have been formally reported and/or acted upon need to be declared to potential or actual buyers. If you don't do this, you could be legally challenged or at worst, sued!
When a dispute has been recorded or put down in writing, or where complaints to an authority (council) have been made, then this needs to be informed to any potential buyers of your property. Ask your solicitor for more information about this.
You can also join the NFHiB forum board - It's very busy and has a lot of good information, we also have thousands of members who understand what you're going through.