Extractor fans discharging onto neighbours' property

TrixA

Can someone explain to me the legal situation regarding kitchen/bathroom extractor fans discharging into a neighbour's airspace?

We're in the process of buying an end-of-terrace house and are planning to replace the kitchen and install a new ground floor WC. Both rooms would back on to the unattached wall which forms the boundary with the neighbouring property. I'm not sure if this makes it a party wall but it is clearly part of our house and not part of the neighbouring block of flats, which was built much later. There is a small passageway running between the two properties, which belongs to the neighbours and is used to access their rear gardens. None of the neighbours' windows face the passage/wall in question, but 'our' house has two small windows facing that in that direction, one from the kitchen and one from the upper landing.

If we were to install new extractor fans in the side wall facing the neighbours' property which were totally flush with the wall, could the neighbours object on the grounds that the fans were discharging air/smells on to their property? As I say, none of their windows face this wall, so it would be difficult for them to argue that they were suffering any material nuisance. However we know the neighbours are difficult and have previously caused issues with our property wanting access to this side passage.

rustyboy21

I think you would be ok, Hope so anyway, as that is exactly how mine are sited and have been for 4 years. The fans are not strong, so there shouldn't be a discernible amount of smell coming from them. It is not as if you are fitting chip shop style extractor fans is it? lol

cattie

A friend of mine lives next door to somebody who has such a fan extracting into her garden & pretty close to her conservatory from a side wall.

Why don't you phone the council & check with them as I'm sure somebody there would be able to tell you for sure?

TrixA

Why don't you phone the council & check with them as I'm sure somebody there would be able to tell you for sure?

Thanks, good suggestion. Any idea which council department - planning?

Yes, we would just be talking normal, residential style extractor fans. I'm not planning to open a chip shop

AnnieO1234

TrixA, from what I understand there's no specific regulations regarding domestic exhausts. However, your neighbours could report the issue to environmental health if the fumes affect their enjoyment of their property. When this happens you could be ordered to re-route the exhaust elsewhere. I recall your other thread about the passageway, your neighbours may complain about the exhaust particularly if it vents into their garden or an open window, however iirc this won't really be the case for you.

Ensure that the exhaust is flush to the wall, and that it complies with any potential issues with conservation areas etc.

Xxx

Mojisola

TrixA wrote: »

If we were to install new extractor fans in the side wall facing the neighbours' property which were totally flush with the wall, could the neighbours object on the grounds that the fans were discharging air/smells on to their property?

However we know the neighbours are difficult and have previously caused issues with our property wanting access to this side passage.

How would you be able to install the fans if the neighbours won't give you access to the passage?

cyclonebri1

The neighbour would also be able to stick up anything he wanted on his side, say 1mm from your extractor.

Not going to work then.:A:A

Nothing worse than someones kitchen fumes or even worse gas fumes drifting across your property.

muckybutt

Might cost a few quid more in better fans / ducting etc but why don't you duct up and out or through to a different wall ? Saves any future problems.

cyclonebri1

Mojisola wrote: »

How would you be able to install the fans if the neighbours won't give you access to the passage?

They can't refuse if it is done through the proper channels;)

Mojisola

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

They can't refuse if it is done through the proper channels;)

Neighbours have to allow access for maintenance but this will be new work.

TrixA

Thanks all. To clarify from the previous thread re access issues, we haven't exchanged contracts on this property yet, and are trying to get the vendors to negotiate some sort of access/peace deal with the neighbours that would allow reasonable access for renovations. The house hasn't been renovated in 20-30 years, so it really needs it. Of course it will help if we can be as specific as possible about what we intend to do and make sure it's not the sort of thing the neighbour could raise legal objections to later, which is why I'm asking the question about the fans.

We seem quite restricted in our options to duct via other routes, although I would welcome more expert opinions on what is possible. What does "duct up and out" mean? Through the roof? We have a limited budget for renovations so if we have to pursue complicated technical solutions for every issue I think we'd be in trouble.