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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbours overflowing bin - to complain?

170 replies

FrauNeuer · 31/07/2018 09:46

Hi folks

Genuine question here.

Neighbours opposite have gone away on holiday and left their overflowing bin at the top of their driveway. There are no bags of rubbish on the street, but the bin lid is at a 45 degree angle because they have overfilled it.

Obviously I’m concerned about the potential for vermin, especially in this heatwave that we’re having. The bins are not due to be collected until Thursday.

Should I contact the Local Authority, or do you think they are unlikely to take any action?

I should also mention that I’ve reported these filthy people before for leaving bags of rubbish out. We frequently have to deal with debris blowing across from their side. If it was a one off, I’d be inclined to let it go, but I feel that they need a warning.

What would you do?

OP posts:
Original poster
FrauNeuer · 31/07/2018 10:33

havesomegrace not especially, it’s really just the rubbish. For example, last year I invited my family over for Christmas and they’d been doing some DIY opposite. Fine, but when rolls of carpet, smashed doors and discarded kids toys are lying around for in excess of 6 weeks, I think that’s an issue. It was very embarrassing for my family at the time, but this type of low level stuff has persisted since.

It’s just upsetting when you try and make your home nice and welcoming and people around just don’t give a shit.

OP posts:
TaighNamGastaOrt · 31/07/2018 10:33

YABU. they're on holiday and as its on their property, nothing you can do. Theres no flytipping or proof of rodent activity? Annoying and inconsiderate yes, breaking a by-law or casuing a nuisance no!

We've been on 3 weekly collections for the last few months and live by the sea with an overpopulation of seagulls who raid the bins very successfully every day. That is frustration!!!

dancingthroughthedark · 31/07/2018 10:34

Here's a thought why don't you and you other law abiding neighbours who can manage put one of the overflowing bags in your own bins in a neighbourly fashion . Or are you more intent on having a dig that your non working neighbours are having a holiday.

MaryPoppinsBloomers · 31/07/2018 10:35

Round where I live one of the neighbours would put it out on collection day for them. We all do each other's bins depending on who is up / out first. You obviously have other issues with this family but this seems like such an easily resolved 'problem' Hmm

notsorighteousthesedays · 31/07/2018 10:36

Competitive bin fillers unite!! What on earth are people throwing away that means an enormous bin can't last them a fortnight? We should all be ashamed of how much we waste not complaining that the council doesn't collect it often enough/take away extra bags. It's a very weird position to take when (presumably) we all accept we are running through the world's resources like there's no tomorrow!
Some of my neighbours have lied (yes, lied about special needs) to get an extra large bin which they still cram full and they are so flaming chuffed with themselves! I is completely bomswoggled by it all. 😥

Leesa65 · 31/07/2018 10:37

Twice now the company my council outsources too, did not take my black bin, not overfilled either .
They collect every 2 weeks .
Both time I complained about them missing my bin out (though it was on the pavement, with all the other bins) and the first time they just left it (despite me complaining again) for the whole two weeks .

Overfilled bins cannot be helped either, especially if its 2 or 4 week collection (4 weeks is mad) and you have recycled all that CAN be recycled.

mumsastudent · 31/07/2018 10:39

could you use a spade to push their rubbish down and place a brick on top & spray insecticide on it.

Leesa65 · 31/07/2018 10:40

It was very embarrassing for my family at the time,

Why ? Genuinely not being a GF , but I fail to see how it is embarrasing for your family ? I assume they did not spend the time looking over to the neighbours ?

Leesa65 · 31/07/2018 10:40

You also mention a dump .

Do they have a car OP ?

thirtyplusone · 31/07/2018 10:40

Is this for real? They’ve put it there so it gets collected. It’s on their land. How about you do the neighbourly thing and help them out by putting on of the bags in your bin if it’s such a huge stress for you that you’ve come to the internet for help Hmm we’ve just come back from holiday, our neighbours always put out our bins and recycling whilst we’re away and we do in return. If we run out of space in our bins we help each other out. Be a good neighbour. “It was very embarrassing”. Get a grip.

OftenHangry · 31/07/2018 10:41

Embarrassing for your family? You are winding us up here, aren't you😉

TuckMyWin · 31/07/2018 10:42

I'm sorry, but I don't understand how people, unless they are a particularly large family, manage to overfill their bins, even with fortnightly collections. I have two children under 4 (and a husband) and not once in the last 4 years have I filled the bin to the extent that the lid won't shut. These days, with one child in nappies, the bin is usually half full at the most when it comes to be collected. Not being judgey, I just don't get it.

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 31/07/2018 10:42

Added to this, the poor lady next door to them is trying to sell her home - she has no chance!

Yeah, you find a house you love at the ideal price, but next door's bin is so full that the lid is at a 45-degree angle so you run screaming for the hills. Hmm

MrsSnootyPants2018 · 31/07/2018 10:42

My bin is constantly overflowing!

I live in a flat so we have to empty as soon as filled and take outside as we have nowhere else to put it (no garage or outside storage that would be appropriate)

With fortnightly collections, it's emptied Friday, and full again by the one after. It's ridiculous!

TaighNamGastaOrt · 31/07/2018 10:43

Also, I work in waste. REDUCE people!! reduce!!
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and then landfill!!

steps off soapbox

Happyhippy45 · 31/07/2018 10:44

I'm slightly jealous of op if her biggest complaint is her neighbours overflowing bin.

MarsBarsAreShrinking · 31/07/2018 10:44

You clearly don't like your neighbours, you posts are full of snippy remarks and digs at them. You clearly have too much time on your hands if fretting about your neighbour's bin is bothering you so much you need to post on here about it.

FFS, it's really simple as @dancingthroughthedark says above; take a bag or 2 out of the overflowing bin so it closes properly and it will be emptied in 2 days. In the meantime I suggest you find yourself a hobby.

vandrew4 · 31/07/2018 10:45

tuckmywin maybe people produce more rubbish than you do? Just a thought that not everybody has exactly the same needs

DianaPrincessOfThemyscira · 31/07/2018 10:45

Jesus just take a broom and squash it down until it closes or take a bag out and put it in your bin. You can’t have a fight with them when they’re not there and it is a pathetic waste of resources to call the council about it.

You might think they’re a shitty family or whatever but they’ve put their bin out while they’re on holiday which is about as much as they can do.

vandrew4 · 31/07/2018 10:46

I once read an article about an insufferably smug family who claimed they only put about 3 bags of rubbish in the bin every few months. They also said they sorted all rubbish and took it to the tip.
What's the difference between tip and the bin/ they were still producing the same amount of rubbish

MarsBarsAreShrinking · 31/07/2018 10:46

@Happyhippy45 same here Hmm

ScattyCharly · 31/07/2018 10:46

OP you need to calm down. They just sound fairly normal. All their litter is in the bin, the bin men will probably just load it up on Thursday and this will be solved, despite it being a bit over full . I’m not sure what you want the council to write to them. “You filthy bastards, you overfilled your bin?!”

MaisyPops · 31/07/2018 10:47

Is this a wind up?

They've gone on holiday and the rubbish needs taking. If they miss the collection when away then they'll have 1 bin for a month's rubbish. If they had a nice neighbour who might put the bins out on the correct day for them then maybe they wouldn't need to leave it at the end.

whatishe · 31/07/2018 10:47

I just think the whole bin situation in the uk is frankly odd and asking for vermin problems and neighbours falling out. When we were there the bins were emptied every two weeks at one point it used to be weekly but that all changed. With the heatwave you have had over there it must absolutely stink after two weeks ! As a couple we were fine with enough room in the bin. I can't imagine how you would go on with a family if you had 2-3 kids and nappy's to dispose of etc !.
Here we have large underground bins at the end of the street and then bottle banks plastic recycling etc. Yes it's a bit of hassle to walk to the end of the road (maybe ?). They empty the underground bins in the middle of the night (every night in the summer) and then the recycling ones once they are filling up assuming the night bin men communicate with the necessary people on recycling to let them know when to empty them. It's not rocket science is it.
I think if I was you my annoyance would be aimed more at the system than your neighbours. Sorry if that's not what you wanted to hear

ivegonegreyfindingausername · 31/07/2018 10:47

If your neighbours are still away on Wednesday night why not do the neighbourly thing and put it out for them. That way when they return they won't be leaving bags of waste on street.

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