Bird in Chimney - Tenant freaking out!

time2deal

Hi,

Bit of an urgent request for help. My tenant has called in panic that there is a bird in his chimney. There is soot falling - although not a lot. Is this an emergency? The council is closed, and RSPCA aren't interested and just advise waiting. I'm reluctant to bother the fire service for such a small thing.

I'm happy to do whatever I can to help, but in some ways I think he should wait and see if it comes out. What do you think you would do (as a homeowner?)

Do you think calling an exterminator is necessary?

Thanks

BigAunty

Emergencies, as far as I'm concerned, require the intervention of the emergency services, such as a fire or the lack of water or heating, though I am aware that some tenants consider every event an emergency...

princeofpounds

What is the construction of the chimey like? i.e. why can it not come out of the bottom when it tires of trying to fly up? Is there a grate or something?

time2deal

Oddly enough the fire service have agreed to attend. Next question - do they charge!!

time2deal

There is a grate apparently. I'm not there, and it is just decorative - although historically was real so the flue still exists. I've never looked up the chimney.

tom9980

Happens a few times a year at MiL house, close the door, open the windows. Open up the chinmey at the bottom as much as possible, hopefully is goes out the top or falls down and flies out.

Really you should stop them falling in the chimney top in future.

This is NOT an emergency so do not bother the services.

suki1964

time2deal wrote: »

Oddly enough the fire service have agreed to attend. Next question - do they charge!!

They are supposed to.

The bird will find its way out on its own. I often get starlings down mine, even with a cap on it.

time2deal

I spoke to the local fire brigade, and said this is NOT a priority, and only if they have nothing else to do! The callout lady seemed unfussed and happy to send someone.

The tenant seems to be afraid of birds. Sigh... I'm stuck at home for medical reasons or I'd go out myself. How would an estate agent respond to this do you think?

BigAunty

time2deal wrote: »

I spoke to the local fire brigade, and said this is NOT a priority, and only if they have nothing else to do! The callout lady seemed unfussed and happy to send someone.

The tenant seems to be afraid of birds. Sigh... I'm stuck at home for medical reasons or I'd go out myself. How would an estate agent respond to this do you think?

Estate agents, as far as I know, have strict deadlines for general calls and strict out of hours call out for specific emergencies, so too, do some landlords who make clear to tenants what qualifies as an emergency and may want lower priority repairs put into writing rather than being called in the evening about them.

silvercar

Not even sure that this is automatically the landlord's responsibility.

time2deal

I agree silvercar. But the tenant is really good and calls me about once a year with issues so I'm trying to be as helpful as possible.

Fire brigade have been and gone and said call a chimney sweep. Who would just kill it I presume! I've told the tenant to either try to open the grate, or put something in front of the fire to stop the soot damage. I think he just wants it 'solved', but not sure what anyone can do. Maybe I am callous but I don't want to pay for a chimney sweep for an unusable flue and probably collect a dead bird, although perhaps he could block up the top for me.

First time this has occured in the 8 years I've owned the place, so its not a chronic problem.

Council environmental health might help, but they are closed and the emergency service say they don't deal with things like this - which I completely agree with. Will give them a call in the morning and get some advice.