Bonfire and smoke complaints

What are bonfire and smoke complaints?

Bonfire and smoke complaints are about smoke from either homes or businesses. It can cover garden bonfires or smoke from chimneys.

What we can investigate

We have a legal duty to investigate smoke that may be a statutory nuisance. This includes:

  • garden bonfires
  • smoke from chimneys, for example, from a wood-burning stove

If you are the tenant of a housing association, report issues to your Housing Officer.

For complaints about anti-social behaviour, view our Anti-social behaviour section.

What we cannot investigate

We cannot take action on smoke caused by:

  • one-off incidents
  • smoke which is not interfering with the use of your home
  • smoke emitted from a railway locomotive steam engine

Page last modified: 14 November 2025

Housing Maintenance Officer

Contact the service centre to get in touch with your housing maintenance officer

Telephone: 01349 886602