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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:
notanurse2017 · 31/07/2018 10:50

You got embarrassed in front of your family because the house opposite had rubbish in their front garden? Really? This reads like you're Hyacinth Bouquet, Op.

donquixotedelamancha · 31/07/2018 10:52

There are no bags of rubbish on the street, but the bin lid is at a 45 degree angle....Should I contact the Local Authority

An angle of more than 30 degrees is surely a Police matter?

I’ve reported these filthy people

I feel that they need a warning
neither of the adults at the property seem to have to work for a living
I don’t know how long horror family are on holiday
Urgh it makes me so angry to think that this type of thing is accepted!

Well that all seems a perfectly reasonable and normal response to a slightly overfilled bin. I hope your neighbours realise how lucky they are to live next to someone so kind and considerate. Some neighbours can be really hard work.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 31/07/2018 10:54

Tuckmywin - report back when your tiny DCs are strapping teens that don't stop eating!! A 'family of four' does vary!

I recycle as much as I possibly can but still struggle with the landfill bin near collection day.

BigSandyBalls2015 · 31/07/2018 10:55

My lovely neighbour often says to bung a couple of bags into his bin. Why don't you try that OP?

How can your family have been embarrassed by a bit of rubbish? They weren't sitting on an old sofa in string vests drinking specidl brew were they?

Leesa65 · 31/07/2018 10:56

Wow OP

Seeing other comments you made as highlighted above by donquixote, you just seem to be a snob with a personal grudge against these people.

SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst · 31/07/2018 11:00

Seeing other comments you made as highlighted above by donquixote, you just seem to be a snob with a personal grudge against these people

Having seen DQ's collated list of twattish comments, I'm feeling rather foolish for having fallen for a bored GF. Total and utter wind-up Blush

donquixotedelamancha · 31/07/2018 11:00

How can your family have been embarrassed by a bit of rubbish?

In fairness to the OP, I think her family were embarrassed that the neighbours had been doing DIY! They'd also left children's toys out!

Incredible to think this sort of thing occurs in the UK. Poor OP.

specialsubject · 31/07/2018 11:08

I am also suggesting the least effort solution - put the excess in your bin and it will all magically disappear on Thursday.

unless there are nappies, a full size wheely bin really is plenty for two weeks if there is an associated recycling program. If it isn't, you must have money to burn with all the plastic and crap you are buying.

donquixotedelamancha · 31/07/2018 11:08

@ SheCameFromGreeceSheHadaThirst

Having seen DQ's collated list of twattish comments, I'm feeling rather foolish for having fallen for a bored GF. Total and utter wind-up*

I'm not sure you have fallen for a GF. I usually report stuff like this, but MN won't remove one like this because it's a real, long-term, poster. Either this is meant to be a joke (?) or they are having a really bad day and will (hopefully) look at the thread and realise they've been silly. Either way, they've provided us all with a bit of fun.

HoppingPavlova · 31/07/2018 11:13

It was very embarrassing for my family

My first thought, after picking myself up from laughing, was surprise that Hyacinth was still alive and kicking Grin.

Seriously, your family found some construction waste to be embarrasing??? Sounds like the neighbours are doing up the house, improving it. I would have thought that was a good thing but is obviously horrifying. Get a grip.

The poor neighbours are probably on a much needed holiday to escape you. You seriously sound like the neighbour from hell.

You should see our bins on weekly rubbish day (yep, weekly). Half are over full but ALL are ransacked by massive bastard crows. They cleverly open the lids, rip into the (thick, heavy duty) bags, rifle through and spread rubbish everywhere. We can’t put heavy bricks on the lids as then the truck can’t pick the bin up. So every bin day we all come home, don gloves and fill a bag with the stuff they have strewn everywhere.

Maybe we should call the council, or police ha ha ha.

brizzledrizzle · 31/07/2018 11:13

A neighbour of ours always has a bin where the lid won't quite close by bin day, however they have no car so we just have to put up with it. It's the problem with fortnight collections. As we have space in our bin by bin day we've told them that they can put one extra bag in when we've put our bin out as long as the lid closes afterwards.

HardAsSnails · 31/07/2018 11:15

So, neighbours put bin out before going on holiday.... is that it?

FFS. YAB a twit.

Lavende · 31/07/2018 11:18

The general waste bins in my area are collected every three weeks. I recycle meticulously and get the kids involved and they wouldn’t ever dream of throwing a can in the kitchen bin but put it in the recycling. We get in the general waste bin and stomp on the bags to squash them down but still after two and a half weeks the lid will not close. I have seriously considered paying for some kind of private rubbish collection service but I shouldn’t have to!

HoppingPavlova · 31/07/2018 11:21

Actually not wanting to derail but I’m gobsmacked and my mind is boggling. How big are your bins that are collected fortnightly? We have general waste 140L collected weekly and most people’s are over full by collection day. Then we have 240L recycling collected fortnightly and 240L green waste (plant material only, not food scraps) collected fortnightly.

CatchingBabies · 31/07/2018 11:50

@hoppingpalova When my area switched to fortnightly collections they kept the bins the same size as the ones we had when they were weekly. So 140L bin for 2 weeks worth of rubbish. Ours is always overflowing as we are a family of 5 with 2 in nappies.

FrayedHem · 31/07/2018 11:55

2 weekly collection here. Standard bins are 180L, large are 240L (you have to meet criteria for large). Food waste bin no idea on size, is small but collected weekly. Glass we have a recycling box, plastics/card large bags unrestricted in how many. Recycling is fortnightly so 1 week general waste the next recycling. Garden waste is a service you have to pay for.

SilverySurfer · 31/07/2018 12:11

Is this thread a joke? Who gives a damn if a neighbour's bin lid is at 45 degrees. Did you go and measure it OP? It's so obvious you hate them and I reckon you would give Hyacinth Bucket a run for her money.

As for it being embarrassing when your family visited and neighbours had rubbish out front due to doing DIY - FFS get over yourself and get a life.

Original poster
FrauNeuer · 31/07/2018 12:19

Wow, I can’t believe the level of vitriol. The people telling me I need to get a hobby are spending their free time abusing a stranger on the internet who simply asked a straightforward question. In many cases, I’d say some of you need help.

The rubbish has now blown onto the street and will probably end up in my driveway by the end of the day. I’m calling the Council to report it as it’s a now a public health issue.

Maybe I should go across there with my rubber gloves instead. . .

Thanks to those who gave reasonable responses to my completely straightforward question.

In answer to other queries: yes, they do drive and my somewhat OTT response is as a consequence of years of living opposite a fly tipping site. If it were a one off, of course I wouldn’t be wasting anyone’s time with a complaint. This happens regularly and I’m getting pretty sick of it.

OP posts:
Original poster
FrauNeuer · 31/07/2018 12:22

So, neighbours put bin out before going on holiday.... is that it?

Can’t you read? No, that’s not it. I was simply asking if there is anything I can do about an overflowing bin, the contents of which will inevitably blow onto my property.

Apparently I can’t, therefore I have the answer I needed.

OP posts:
Clandestino · 31/07/2018 12:25

We have a fortnightly collection as in: recycling and food waste one week, the rest of the trash the other week. We try to recycle as much as possible so the waste bin is always around half full but the recycling bin is rather full. Can't remember having an issue when we couldn't close the bin.

HaveSomeGrace · 31/07/2018 12:48

If someone else’s diy waste is ‘embarrassing’ for your family then that’s your issue, not theirs. They will simply tell you not to look but at the same time, may not have been inclined to get rid quickly because they may simply not have had the time. At the end of the day, a bin lid open at 45 degrees isn’t a major thing but I’m getting the impression you want it to be. Bins are collected Thursday so it’ll be ok then. Of course no one wants to see mess outside a neighbours house, but it’s not your house. From the way you are writing your posts I’m guessing you are a mature person, possibly a net twitcher who has too much time in their hands gettingbwiund up by a bin full of rubbish and the sight of DIY waste. They probably like you as much as you like them.

thirtyplusone · 31/07/2018 12:50

“I’m calling the Council to report it as it’s a now a public health issue.”

Pick it up, be a good citizen! Do unto others etc etc

A whole pack of Biscuit s for you.

Lemontart25 · 31/07/2018 12:55

This is really about the non working family, who drive & have managed a holiday & to renovate their home really isn't it? Are they dreaded renters too OP?!!!

I mean you are certain they don't work are you? They couldn't be running a business from home, working odd part time hours. Why on earth can people like you not live & let live.

PositivelyPERF · 31/07/2018 12:55

Jesus! You sound just like my neighbours. They think they’re above everyone else, constantly criticise the look of other people’s house and even go out to pick up any bits of rubbish and weed the tucking pavement outside their house. Twats.

How about you look after your house and stop being a fucking Hyacinth Bucket.

MaisyPops · 31/07/2018 12:56

I see our OP is one of those posters who asks for people's opinion, ignores all advice that doesn't affirm their original view and does their original plan anyway (whilst claiming to be the victim of people being mean).

If the bin collections causes these issues OK, why not write to the council pointing out the problems with the council bin programme instead of continuing a vendetta against your neighbours