UK households with a chimney risk £300 fines in September

UK households are being warned that they could face fines of £300 from this month onwards if they use their chimney.

As the summer season comes to an end, temperatures will begin to drop, welcoming the sweater weather. While most homesbuilt before the 1990s likely have a chimney, many haven't been used for years or even decades, with some fireplaces potentially blocked up and out of reach.

However, millions across the nation still rely on their fireplace to warm their homes during the winter months, using traditional fuels like coal or having a wood burner installed in the chimney. As per We Buy Any Homes, 55% of properties in the UK have one.

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Regrettably, if your chimney begins to emit smoke, there are parts of the UK where you can be reported to the local council and fined due to new regulations surrounding Smoke Control Areas. So, you better watch out this year if you ever plan on making use of the chimney at home.

Smoke Control Areas dictate the amount of smoke that can be released from your chimney, reports the Express. Most of England is now encompassed by Smoke Control areas, and if you reside in one, you could be slapped with a £300 fine if your chimney produces excessive smoke - persistent offenders may even face criminal charges.

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According to Section 19 of the Clean Air Act 1993, you must cough up £300 if your chimney is releasing too much smoke. As stated by Direct Stoves: "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."

It continues: "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."