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AIBU?

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Neighbors odd behaviour

32 replies

Allmyownopinion · 25/01/2026 14:18

Firstly I know this is a very minor irritation & not that big a deal in the grand scheme of things! But you know, over time minor things can drive you mad! So it’s a small semi detached house, sitting room in the front, kitchen in the back. The neighbors keep their wheely bins in the front under the window, rather than at the side of their house behind a gate like normal people, so it’s practically under my sitting room window as our houses are so close (another irritation as their bins are filthy and a real eyesore against my lovely front garden) They must not have a kitchen bin because they come out of the house to throw rubbish outside constantly and then slam the wheelie bin loudly! They even bring their plates out every time they eat & loudly scrape their food into the bin, even carry tea bags out on a spoon after each cup of tea! So it’s front door slamming, wheely bin lid slamming at least half hourly every single day. I work from home so notice it even more than maybe others would. I just can’t fathom why they do this and feel very invaded as they’re constantly by my front window where I’m working or relaxing. I’m very shy & don’t have the confidence to challenge them directly. What would you do or AIBU and should just leave them to it?

OP posts:
Meadowfinch · 25/01/2026 14:32

It sounds like they have had an argument about who takes the indoor bin out, so they've got rid of it.

There's nothing you can do except clean their bin when they aren't around. They aren't doing anything wrong.

Nourishinghandcream · 25/01/2026 14:31

I’m very shy & don’t have the confidence to challenge them directly.

In what way could you "challenge" them?

They are doing nothing wrong keeping their bins where they are (unless there is a covenant that says they can't).
Do you have food waste collection and if do, is food waste banned from the bin they are using (until a dedicated food waste collection was started here, food waste went in with garden waste)?
Taking individual pieces of food waste to the bin is slightly bizarre (the logical solution would be to use a caddy) but if they are not actually doing anything wrong there is little you can do even if they are being inconsiderate.

How do you get on with them generally, do you chat or have you had run-ins?

Leeds157 · 25/01/2026 14:27

I think you’re being unreasonable, I’m in a row of terraced houses, kitchen at the front, and my next door neighbours keep both their wheelie bins under their own kitchen window at the front. If they don’t mind their own bins being so close to their own kitchen, I don’t see how your next doors bins would bother you being further than what I’ve just described. You have just got it in your head that this is something that bothers you, so are hyper aware of any activity related to it

Oxo01 · 25/01/2026 14:27

If its more near your window than their own just move it nearer them.

If they ask why tell them dont let shyness make you a pushover.

Or as people have suggested try and put something up to stop them putting it near yours.

Ilikewinter · 25/01/2026 14:23

Yes that would drive me mad. Can you plant a hedge, or fast, tall bush type thing!! to block the view, and maybe muffle the sound???

PainterInPeril · 25/01/2026 14:22

Write everything down in a friendly letter and send/give it to them?

Longtimelurkerfinallyposts · 25/01/2026 14:22

any chance of a diagram?!

assuming their bins are in front of their house/ their own front window...
could you put up a sreen or fence between your front window and theirs? So at least you would no longer be able to see their bins? It might muffle the sound a little bit too. And if they ever ask why you're doing something so odd (putting up this new barrier) you tell them why....

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