Neighbor keeps doing selfish ‘gardening’ act and it’s making my house smell

The homeowner took to Reddit to vent their frustrations at their neighbor’s daily antics

A homeowner has asked for advice after no longer wanting to tolerate their neighbor’s ‘smelly’ antics, which they do daily in their back garden. Taking to Reddit, a user claims their neighbor lights a bonfire in their garden every day, and the smell is entering the home and causing a bad odor.

On the popular subreddit, r/neighborsfromhellthe Reddit user began by saying: “I’m trying not to be a Karen, but I have asthma and severe migraines.” The term ‘Karen’ is often used in a derogatory manner to describe a middle-class woman who is seen as entitled or overly demanding.

They continued: “My neighbors have bonfires all the time and leave them smoldering all day then relight them throughout the day. The odor is so terrible, it penetrates my entire house and is making me sick.”

Seeking advice from fellow users, the homeowner asked: “Will the fire department think I’m an annoying Karen for calling? I have nowhere else to go to avoid the smell. The odor is even affecting my cat’s asthma.”

They even wondered: “Should I call the fire department or just go to the city council regarding this matter?” They said the smell and the smoke have now gotten to the point where “I can’t sit outside or even inside my own home safely and healthily”. They added: “This sucks”.

Many people took to the comment section to share their thoughts. One person said: “Omg I feel for you. That sounds incredibly frustrating – also an asthmatic. A fire of seasoned hardwood burning occasionally is fine for me, I can deal with it camping. But when people burn wet wood, garbage, leaves, ect my asthma flares up.”

Another said: “So sad on so many posts how people think they have to start by justifying they are not a Karen. This is plain common sense that burning bonfires creates air pollution.” A third wrote: “If they are burning anything other than wood, there are probably ordinances against it. Call the FD and see what they say.”

Someone else suggested: “Check your state, county, and city regulations. Look for fire and air quality rules. The laws may contain hints of whether you should contact the fire department, pollution control, zoning, or health department.”

Are you able to burn rubbish in your back garden in the UK?

In the UK, burning household or garden waste is generally not allowed if it poses a risk of pollution or threatens people’s health. Although there are no specific laws that completely ban garden bonfires, you may encounter repercussions if your bonfire becomes a nuisance to your neighbors or leads to pollution. Under the Environmental Protection Act 1990burning household waste is typically prohibited if it can result in pollution or harm to health.

If your bonfire emits excessive smoke, soot, or odors that significantly disrupt your neighbors’ enjoyment of their property, it may be classified as a statutory nuisance, which could lead to an abatement notice and a fine. It is strongly advised against burning materials like plastic, rubber, painted wood, or anything with chemicals, as this could result in legal action. This is considered an offense under the Highways Act 1980 and may incur a fine.

If you decide to have a bonfire, make sure it is only for dry garden waste (such as leaves, twigs, and grass clippings). Small, controlled fires that burn quickly are less likely to disturb others. Avoid having bonfires on damp days, during low wind conditions, or when neighbors might be using their gardens. Never use gasoline, oil, or other flammable liquids to ignite or boost the fire.

Consult your local council for specific advice on waste disposal and any guidelines regarding bonfires in your area. Composting and recycling are often more effective solutions for garden waste. If your neighbor’s bonfire is causing issues, try to have a friendly conversation with them to address the problem. If that approach fails, reach out to your local council.