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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Neighbour putting rubbish on my drive

29 replies

Invisiblewoman1 · 18/05/2021 21:35

I want to know if I’m being overly precious here.

I have just moved into an end of terrace in a row of 6. The 2 closest to me have right of way through my garden for access. Which is pretty standard and not an issue. But... what is irritating me is the house 2 doors down use the right of way to take out their rubbish bags and recycling boxes and then leave them on my driveway rather than outside their own house.
Myself and the house attached to me put our bins outside our own houses.
It’s not worth falling out with neighbours over so I’m going to let it go and hope in time they see what me and the other neighbour do and follow. It’s annoying because if all 3 of us did it that would be 6 boxes and maybe 6 bin liners so I would struggle to park on my single driveway. I think it’s bloody cheeky! My driveway isn’t shared they just have right of way in once section of my garden.

Am I being totally precious and unreasonable?!

OP posts:
LordEmsworth · 18/05/2021 21:36

I would pick up their rubbish and move it onto their property.

I say would. I mean have. They stopped Grin

Geordieoldgirl · 18/05/2021 21:38

You are not being unreasonable at all! They are being really cheeky.

Shouldershrugger · 18/05/2021 21:38

I think you should say something. Address it early on.

Stormwhale · 18/05/2021 21:39

I think this is worth mentioning op, they are out of order. I would just ask them to please not put their rubbish on your drive as you need the space. End of.

frazzledasarock · 18/05/2021 21:41

I’d put it back on their drive every single time.

Can you block off their entrance on to your property do they can’t bring their bins on to your drive?

waitingpatientlyforspring · 18/05/2021 21:42

You need to address it now. They won't see what neighbour does and miraculously start copying. Just explain you need to be able to use your drive way as a drive way.

Its not an unreasonable ask.

waitingpatientlyforspring · 18/05/2021 21:44

@frazzledasarock

I’d put it back on their drive every single time.

Can you block off their entrance on to your property do they can’t bring their bins on to your drive?

I would imagine their access to ops garden is to be able to bring their bins out. I suspect they are just being lazy bringing on to op drive rather than going on to own drive.
Original poster
Invisiblewoman1 · 18/05/2021 21:47

They have lived there for 15 years and previous owner of my house was elderly so they did her bins for her so I imagine it was not an issue then. And to be honest Just their bins in my drive doesn’t stop me using it. However, if the other neighbour and me all did then it would be crowded. And I would never dream of doing it to someone else. Everyone in the road puts their bins outside their house but for them it means walking through next doors and my garden, down my drive and then past two houses to put it outside their own house - so they are taking the easy option for them.

Neighbours are nice but when I first met him he told me about the right of way into my garden, like I wouldn’t have the brain to have read the deeds during conveyancing Hmm

OP posts:
SquirtleSquad · 18/05/2021 21:50

Can't they just keep their bins in front of their house instead of in the garden? That's what most terrace houses in my area tend to do.

Original poster
Invisiblewoman1 · 18/05/2021 21:53

Our front gardens are quite small so not really enough room to keep bins all week. I’m only one with a driveway and it’s to the side not front.
Everyone in road puts the bins on the pavement outside own house on collection day which is what the council ask us to do. So technically neighbours bins on my driveway shouldn’t be collected as not on the pavement!

OP posts:
JesusIsAnyNameFree · 18/05/2021 21:53

You really should say something. Why on earth would you put up with this? It's not like they seem to give much of a shit about good neighbourly relations..

Livingintheclouds · 18/05/2021 21:55

There's a limit where I live- one bin per house. But I guess they are doing what they always have. If you don't like it then you have to talk to them.

PanamaPattie · 18/05/2021 21:55

They have a right of access - not a right to use your drive for their rubbish. Don't be a doormat - move their rubbish and tell them why. CF.

butterry · 18/05/2021 22:08

If that's what they have always done for 15 years then I can't imagine them changing unless you specifically request them to change and are firm enough to make sure that they do it. It's up to you if you care enough, it sounds like you aren't that bothered at the moment but I can see it becoming more irritable as time goes on so it would be sensible to get this sorted out now. I think when neighbour mentioned the right of way into your garden, he may have really meant about the previous arrangement to leave bins on your driveway too - you need to change the status quo sharpish now you have moved in!

Bluntness100 · 18/05/2021 22:12

You really need to say something. A polite note through the door. Just saying that you understand that it may have been previous practice but could they now place their bins and waste outside their own home as you do yours.

Chloemol · 18/05/2021 22:36

I would say something , what went on before is irrelevant. It needs to be in front of their house. It’s their problem to deal with. What happens if the bin gets knocked over? Would you have to clear it up? What happens if you can’t get on your drive?

Right of access to the garden us one thing leaving the bin on your drive is another

StoneofDestiny · 18/05/2021 22:43

I'd ask them not to leave their bins there - it's your house now, doesn't matter what the previous occupant allowed to happen.

billy1966 · 18/05/2021 22:46

Of course you should spell it out calmly and firmly.

Of no concern of yours what his previous arrangement was.

JocastaNu · 18/05/2021 22:48

I don't think you are being unreasonable but I think we need a diagram.

KatherineOfGaunt · 18/05/2021 22:49

Surely they would walk just as far to take their bins out the back, round the side of your house and leave them outside their own front door, then re-enter their house through said front door?! I'm not sure why they think it's particularly time-saving to leave them at yours. They're literally walking to their house anyway.

OP, YABU for saying you're going to let this go. If it asks you, say something. If you don't say anything you can't let it irritate you.

KatherineOfGaunt · 18/05/2021 22:50

*annoys not asks

Original poster
Invisiblewoman1 · 19/05/2021 05:41

Thanks all! When I mentioned this to my family they shrugged shoulders and didn’t think it was a big deal so I thought I was over reacting!

OP posts:
custardbear · 19/05/2021 06:07

No, your family are wrong. It needs a nice but firm address. Hi neighbour, can you leave your rubbish on your drive and not on mine please, the right of access is just that I'm afraid, you can't leave stuff there or on my drive. Thank you

You may end up with a fox or badger opening bags and covering your driveway in their rubbish - just sort it now before it becomes a problem

picturesandpickles · 19/05/2021 06:10

I think you need to ask them to stop.

Pinot4me · 19/05/2021 06:20

It’s probably something they’ve always done so they’re not even thinking about it. You should tell them you don’t even leave yours there so why would you want theirs there. Maybe they think you’re leaving the space free especially for their rubbish. Cheeky buggers!