Every house in England with a chimney faces £300 fines - starting this month

Chimneys
-Credit: (Image: Getty)


UK households are being warned of potential £300 fines from this month onwards if they use their chimneys. Despite the fact that many homes, particularly those built before the 1990s, have chimneys, many of us haven't used them in years, or even at all, with many fireplaces blocked up and inaccessible.

However, millions across the country still rely on their fireplaces for winter warmth, using traditional fuels like coal or wood burners fitted into the chimney. But beware, if your chimney starts puffing out smoke, you could be reported to your local council and fined due to new rules around Smoke Control Areas.

These areas dictate how much smoke can be emitted from your chimney. Most of England is now covered by these Smoke Control areas, and residents could face a £300 fine if their chimney produces excessive smoke - repeat offenders could even face criminal charges, reports the Express.

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According to Section 19 of the Clean Air Act 1993, you must pay £300 if too much smoke is being released from your chimney. Direct Stoves explains: "The current limit on the amount of smoke your chimney can produce in a Smoke Control Area is 5g per hour, plus 0.5g for each kW of your stove's heat output. However, there are plans to reduce this limit to 3g per hour, although when this will happen is not yet confirmed."

"These rules mean that only some people with a wood-burning stove or open fire will pay a fine for using it. Most modern wood burners available are DEFRA-approved, so many stove owners do not need to worry.

"If you want to upgrade an older wood burner that emits a lot of smoke or are considering installing a wood burner in your home for the first time, get an appliance that DEFRA has approved for use in Smoke Control Areas. A wood burner with this seal of approval is designed and tested to operate within the restrictions."