to not want my neighbours to dump rubbish outside our front door (Warning - petty!)

[happygonicky]

I live in a building with four flats, all the neighbours get on well (in an in-passing kind of way). Problem is that one flat has started leaving rubbish by the communal bins/front door that it's obvious the bin men aren't going to take away (and don't). The area in front of our building is now looking really messy (huge bit of plasterboard, kitchen bin). In the past we've taken their rubbish to the tip (we were going anyway) because we appreciate it's not easy to get rid of rubbish without a car and we want the entrance to look nice (it's our first flat!). The problem is that I find it really annoying to come home and see what should be a fairly nice entrance to our home looking so unsightly.

The other neighbours are away a lot of the time and probably don't notice. It bothers me. I wouldn't mind getting rid of this next load of rubbish just so I don't feel so depressed coming home (we also have a problem with bird mess on bins, cat poo, cigarette butts left by these neighbours, all of which I've cleaned up in the past, only to come out the next morning to another load of butts. I thought if I cleaned up a few times they'd notice it looking nice and wouldn't leave butts out again).

But what if they see this as an invitation to keep on leaving their rubbish, knowing that we'll clear it away? Do I talk to them (English isn't their first langauage)? I'm bit of a wimp. Leave a note? Get in touch with landlord? (Might seem a bit petty - owner in Australia). Get rid of rubbish/tidy up area so I don't have high blood pressure/feel depressed as I leave the flat/come home?

Thoughts/advice welcome. I'm aware I might need to get a grip. I'm quite pregnant and am aware my moods are a bit volatile at moment (am successfully hiding this, on the whole!).

[WorraLiberty]

In all honesty they probably think that every time they leave rubbish there, the council/refuse collectors are picking it up.

I would have a polite word with them face to face (seemingly this way of communication isn't popular anymore) and explain that the council won't take rubbish away unless it's inside the bin.

As a solution to the fag butt problem, ask them (or offer yourself) to put a small bucket of sand outside.

YANBU - except for the bird shit on the bins...I think moaning about that is a tad excessive

[happygonicky]

That is a very good point. Damn it, I do need to talk to them.

[Paiviaso]

YANBU, who wants to see a pile of rubbish when they come home?

Say something in person, something quick and polite about how the rubbish wont be collected if it isn't in the bins. Maybe make up a brief story about your last building/flat becoming infested with mice/rats/cockroaches due to left out rubbish and how you want to avoid it because it was horrible.

And then if they still don't do anything about it, write down dates regarding how long rubbish has been there, and complain to the landlord.

[OutragedAtThePriceOfFreddos]

I'd get in touch with the LL because I hate that sort of confrontation. It doesn't matter that the LL is in Australia, they still have a responsibilty.

[happygonicky]

Thank you. So useful to get an outside perspective on this. I know it's a small problem in the universal scale of things!

I'd rather drop the landlord an email, but brief, pleasant conversation in person proabbly the best way. It's just that I don't bump into them very often at all and it's the sort of conversation I'd need to gear myself up for, IYNWIM. Maybe I could persuade husband... He handles face-to-face stuff like that better than I do.

[WorraLiberty]

I think face to face first (then landlord after if nothing's sorted) is the best way to go because facial expressions can be a life saver when you're talking to someone who might struggle with English.

Years ago I lived in a flat and we had some Nigerian neighbours who used to post their mail in our post boxes - because they actually thought the postman delivered and collected mail from the boxes

I had to set them straight and show them the red postbox down the road.

[WorraLiberty]

I meant to add...they were absolutely mortified

[happygonicky]

Useful to be reminded that they might not know what will be taken/what won't be. This means that I can try to be more calm about the whole thing. And hopefully persuade husband to have a word as a first step. Thank you!

[WorraLiberty]

Good luck

[happygonicky]

Thank you!

[happygonicky]

Hello,

Just thought I would come back to say that I bumped into neighbour and calmly mentioned that the binmen wouldn't take the kitchen bin, very nice neighbour then put it on the pavement outside the flat (not sure best approach, but it's now disappeared). We're going to get rid of the big plasterboard on a tip run. I feel so much better now! Am pleased that I managed to stay calm, handle it nicely (thanks to advice here) and that the neighbours are now aware that leaving rubbish outside is bit of an issue.

Thank you very much for your help!

[WorraLiberty]

What a great result OP!

[QuintessentialShadows]

I would let the landlord deal with it first.

[QuintessentialShadows]

Sorry, did not see your update. Great result.

[happygonicky]

Thanks, I'm pleased. For tackling it myself rather than asking husband, as much as anything!