Neighbour being cheeky? Or AIBU?

[Motheringthrough]

We moved in a couple of years back and as I am a keen gardener, I arranged for our house to have a green bin collection (not sure if this is the case everywhere but it’s a service you pay extra for with our council)

About a month after moving in our next door neighbour asked if it would be alright if he put his grass clippings in our green bin. Trying to be friendly and neighbourly and all that, I said yes, thinking it would be a one off. They’ve never had a green bin and prior to us moving in next door, he used to take his garden waste to the tip.

Every time he has mown his lawn since (every 1-2 months I’d say) he asks me if he can put his grass cuttings in our green bin.

It is now starting to bother me that he doesn’t pay for his own green bin when he clearly would get a lot of use out of it. I just think to keep asking each time now is being cheeky and almost overstepping with the favour.

Am I being silly? I realise this is probably the most silly and middle England issue to post but I need to put my mind at rest!

Course it can be. It's not contravening any rules.

@Blouson

maybe that depends where you live!! It is here and at family/friends who live in different council areas.

He'd be cheeky if he did it without asking. As it is, he always asks and you always say yes so he's doing nothing wrong. Next time say no if that's how you feel.

I'd ask him to wait until the day it gets collected (not day before, the day of) and tell him if it's not full then he can (but only then). Tell him you'll likely fill it up soon or something if you're worried

@Blouson - the council here won't empty my normal bin if it has garden waste in it. They're super strict about what goes in what bin.

Show me a link to the council page where it tells you it's forbidden. Councils are careful to point you to buying their garden waste service but that doesnt mean its against their rules to put grass in the normal bins (as long as its in line with the rules e.g. bagged)

It wouldnt bother me tbh especially as he only mows his lawn once every 1/2 months.

But, if it bothers you then just say no.

This. Or maybe ask him for a favour and see what his response is. If it's positive I'd leave the bin issue as juat being neighbourly.

@Blouson

https://torridge.gov.uk/article/20282/Refuse

They really are very, very strict about it. God forbid you accidentally put the wrong thing in the wrong recycling bin as well.

He is being a bit cheeky. I wouldn't take any money as that would entitle him to a space in your bin and what would happen then if you needed the whole space one week. Also you are saving him time and petrol as he isn't having to go to the tip. I would wait until the grass cutting is at an end and see if you gifts you say a couple of bottles of wine or something unless you think that you might need a favour. Also depends if he's a good neighbour and doesn't cause you any grief.

I couldn't use a neighbours bin like that and not recompense them in someway as that is definitely being a cf.

@TheBossOfMe well that is fascinating as I've checked mine and neighbouring LAs and theyre all cleverly worded not to say its verboten but yours is unambiguous.

It is cheeky of him but it’s a nice neighbourly thing for you to do. If you see it as you being kind rather than him being cheeky you may feel quite good about yourself and you’ve also earned the right to ask favours of him.

I don't think it's unreasonable to let him put his cuttings in your bin if there is room. I let my NDN do the same and the same applies if his recycling bins are full and we have the capacity - its not an issue for him to use any available space we have and the local council would rather empty full bins than half empty ones as we have had leaflets asking us not to put bins out if we think we can cope till the next collection. My other pensioner NDN often does this as she simply does not generate enough rubbish.

It's winding you up (quite rightly), but it's not costing you anything. It is a big favour to him though. Can you reframe it in your mind by getting something in return - effectively for free? Is there anything he can provide you with? Or could you simply ask him to wheel the bins back for you as a return favour? "Because it's always a bad time for me to do it", or similar.

I'm afraid this would really annoy me. There may well come a time when he doesn't ask for whatever reason (you aren't in or something) and will just put his stuff in there. Then if you need the extra space that week you're scuppered. I have often come a cropper with these sorts of arrangements - people get used to the favour and come to regard it as a right and then take advantage. If nothing else I would try saying no a couple of times and see what he's like.

I think this, especially since he always asks and hasn’t assume it’s his right since you said yes once. I would continue and this would be the neighbor I would ask if I needed a favor in return.

Some places fine you for using the wrong bin.
I would send him this link
https://www.rhs.org.uk/soil-composts-mulches/composting

If your bin isn’t full and it's just every 6-8 weeks, I’d not be too bothered - does he repay neighbourliness in other ways - eg taking out your bins when you’re on holiday, receiving parcels when you’re your out? If he does and you have a good relationship I’d let it go. An amicable relationship is worth a few grass clippings.

If it changes and he starts mowing regularly (we mow at least weekly and have a big lawn so our bin fills quickly), or he starts adding his weeds and prunings, then I’d reconsider.

You're paying for your bin regardless of it being full or not. You've said it's not and you've also said it's ok to him. Either ask him to put him a contribution or let him carry on or tell him actually you need the space, although it doesn't sound like you do.
I've enough crap in my garden that I pay for two green bins. And I sure as hell make sure they're filled each collection, which isn't even all year round.....

Why should he pay a small fortune for something he barely uses when you have space?

Amazing.

“Hey Dave, when you asked about using my green bin I thought it was a one off. As it’s not, I don’t mind sharing the bin with you regularly but assume you’re going to cough up half the cost. It’s £60 a year so get the thirty quid to me by the time of the next collection. OK? Thanks.”

Keep it light, assume he’s going to pay and don’t be embarrassed. He’s a CF and has a got a brass neck to develop your own.

If he says no, he can’t afford it or whatever say you’re sorry but it’s not a shared facility.

Why? Why not be nice?

No of course I’m not thr neighbour what a ridiculous question. And I would happily let me neighbour use my bin if I had spare space.

Probably asks for a free lift into town. Well there's 4 empty seats in the car after all.

He is definitely being a cf, next time you see him mention that you've had the council invoice, and its £60. Then just tell him he'll have to pay half if he wants to keep on using your bin....end of debate!