WIBU to ask my neighbours to move their bins

[10LittleLemons]

Sorry for such a trivial post!

I live on the end of a small terrace, and when I moved here the NDNs asked if they could keep their bins at the side of my house, next to mine (so they didn't have to keep walking up to the shared garage area behind the houses). The side of my house is the shared driveway that goes up to the garages, but we own the portion directly next to our house even though everyone has right of way over it. I wasn't thrilled to be honest, as we live in a "pretty" place and a row of bins up the side of the house didn't look nice, but it was a bit petty and I wanted to get off to a good start with my neighbours so agreed.

A few years later I want to sell up, but I feel like the bins could put people off. These neighbours are reasonably nice to us but can get really snotty over minor things, as evidenced by a huge row with different neighbours (another story!). They are very controlling, and the type who act as though they own the whole street. If pissed off they start doing petty things like parking awkwardly for a few days... I know they will get funny with me if I ask them to move the bins. Is it worth asking them to move the bins??

YANBU - ask them to move the bins
YABU - just leave it

I do think you need to address this. Its not fair on the purchaser to have to deal with this after you have gone (although they may end up in the same boat as you if they start off being nice). I know what a pain it is having shared access, (caused many an 'issue' at my previous home), but access rules usually mean that you can not put anything there that is a hinderance to access, and this would apply to both parties.

Good luck though.....again I know this tricky ground with neighbours...was so glad to move to a property where my access is mine alone and would never go back to anywhere that had shared access.

If you can see the bins, including yours, from the front of the house, I would be tempted to buy some suitable trellis or horizontal slat fencing to hide them.
Storing their bin doesn’t work for you anymore, and you need to let them know. Keep it simple and breezy, sorry, this arrangement no longer works for us, please move your bins from next collection.

I would ask them to move them. You don’t want them to hold the new owners to account by saying you always let them keep the bins there. Plus they don’t sound very nice.

Could you compromise and ask if they would move their bins on days you have viewings? I know you shouldn’t have to compromise as it’s your land, but if you’re worried about them acting petty then this might be a better option. I know people may argue this is misleading for potential buyers, but it’s up to them to agree with the neighbours whether the bins can be kept there or not, like it was for you when you moved in.