We can investigate problems that may be a statutory nuisance. This is usually a problem that:
- happens more than once over a period of time
- affects you in your own property or premises
We cannot investigate one-off incidents.
What you can report
| Problem | Domestic properties | Commercial premises |
|---|---|---|
| Smoke | Yes | Yes |
| Ash | Yes | Yes |
| Dust | No | Yes |
| Light | Yes | Yes |
| Odour | No | Yes |
| Flies | No | Yes |
| Pests | See pest control | Yes |
Before reporting a problem
Before reporting a pollution problem, you should:
- identify the address where the problem is coming from
- if possible, speak to the property owner or occupier about the issue or write a polite letter (keep a copy of the letter)
If there is no improvement, you should gather evidence to support your case using one of our record sheets:
Reporting a problem
If the problem has continued for at least 2 weeks, you can report it using the online form.
What happens after you report a problem
After receiving your report, we may contact the person or business responsible and begin an investigation.
If the evidence shows that a statutory nuisance exists and it is witnessed, we may serve a notice requiring the nuisance to stop.
If the notice is breached, evidence collected during the investigation may be used in court. You may also be asked to attend court and give evidence.