Smell of poo from next door

[DannyK]

Hi, we moved into our house in November aware that our next door neighbours had a few chickens and ducks. This didn't bother us as we used to live next to a motorway, so didn;t consider the issue of noise.

The noise I can live with. It would appear that they have about 10 chickens, 2 turkeys, 14 rabbits, plus quailes and ducks. They're all kept in various runs in their garden.

It's the constant smell of poo that I can't live with. I can't have any doors or wondows open without the aroma of poo filling my house. You can't sit in the garden without it kicking up from over the fence. It is simply disgusting and I can't live with it any more.

Can anyone suggest what I can do or where I should go next. I know we'll have to speak to them and tell them the problems it's causing us - I was just wondering if there is actually a limit to how much smell a neighbour can make!? Is it something I should take to the council if they don't do anything after we've spoken to then?

I do feel in all honesty that they should not have this much wildlife in their garden, and they should really live in a small-holding if they want to be that close to nature. I'm sure I'm not the only one bothered about the smell but it doesn't appear that anyone has said anything - or if they have that nothing is being done.

I'm just wondering where I stand legally. Any advise would be great, as would a lorry load or air-freshener and a few pegs for our noses...

Thanks for listening!

[lady_p_gold]

What you must do is contact your local Council and ask to speak to the Environmental Health department, they will take your call in confidence and take the appropriate action, there are rules and regulations for these things and you should not have to live under these conditions.

[Lonnie]

I have to agree with lady on this, also, have a look at your deeds, theirs will have the same as yours, that'll tell you what you can or can't have.

[puzzled54]

You could try the citizens advice bureau (CAB), they offer free advice and are usually good.

[noxlumos]

I think a polite word first might be the way forward.I don't notice the smell of horse poo because I have lots of horses but I'm sure other people might, so I'd imagine that they are used to it, don't find it offensive and are unaware it's bothering you.Shame you didn't think about it before you moved in really since they've clearly been keeping their fowl for some time and it's not bothered anyone else and I daresay they'll use this in their defence. There was a huge court case a few years back under simlar circumstances which dragged on for years so try to nice way first if I were you.

[DannyK]

Thanks for the suggestions. I will speak to them next door, and will also speak to the CAB and check our deeds etc.

When we viewed the house we could hear the chickens and the noise wasn't a problem at all - in fact I quite liked it, I thought it was a nice change to hear them. However they have grown in quantity since then, and I don't know if it's because it's summer that they smell worse - (we bought the house in Nov!) or if they're not being cleaned out enough.

Our other neighbours can smell them too and the noise bothers them but they haven't mentioned it to them.

I am consious that we moved in after them and their animals were there first - and don't wan't to fall out with them, but can't see that it's healthy to have that much poo rotting in a garden. My other neighbour said he saw a rat last summer and he's lived in his house for 35 years, and had never seen one before - and if I saw one that is one thing that would tip me over the edge. I would have no hesitation at all in going to the EH if the poo starts attracting attention like that.

[JudgeJ]

I should save yourself the trouble of visiting the CAB if I were you. More than 85% of their time (their figures, not mine) is taken up with benefits and debt counselling and advice. What little they have left means that all they can do in cases such as yours is to provide you with a list of local solicitors.

[WendyS]

I think the first step is obviously to have a word with your neighbours and let them know that the smell problem and the rats have now become a major issue for you.

I'd be tempted to pop round with a bottle of wine to show you come in a spirit of friendliness, and tell them you don't want to see the animals disappear . However, state that the issue of cleanliness, smell, flies and rats have got to be resolved quickly because you cannot live all summer with your windows closed.

Agree a reasonable date with them by which it should be resolved to your satisfaction othewise you will reluctantly have to speak to your local Environment Health department.

We recently visited a farm shop on a hot summer day where they had a large number of chicken pens containing ducks, chickens and geese. There was absolutely no unpleasant smell at all and all the pens were immaculately clean so I suspect that your neighbours' animal hygiene and regular cleaning leaves a lot to be desired.