Neighbours bins.... arghhhhhhh

[OhMyDarling]

Need to hear someone else’s opinion on this...

I live in a flat- ground floor. My neighbours on the second floor (not above me but one up from that) has started leaving their 3 large size wheely bins in front of my property ALL THE TIME. I tried opening my bedroom window today, quickly closed it again as I could smell their rubbish (bins not collected till Friday, 2 wk collection cycle). Gross.

My bins are in a bin store also out the front, but they are outside my kitchen window- I have 2 windows and I can’t reach the window above my bins to open it so always open the other one. Bin store was expensive but it ensures they look as neat as bins can. I have planted flower beds and rose bushes around it so it looks pretty. We are vegan so no horrid rotting food (or smells) in our bins, any food waste goes in our composter.

The wife watches me tend to my front garden at least once a month from her window, it’s obvious I tend to the plants and keep it looking neat. But neighbours haven’t the forethought to move their bins round the back with first floor neighbours in the especially provided bin space for each above ground flat.
Also they have their own big private garden so they could also put their bins there -which they have done for 4 years, but stopped doing 6 months ago.

They have to walk in front of my windows, across the (albeit communal) lawn, there’s no path, to get to their bins which are perched between my flower beds... I don’t get why they do it.
Our block is the worst looking on the whole estate- the others all have lovingly tended flowerbeds and shrubs and our has flowers, flowers, MASSIVE BIG UGLY BINS, flowers flowers.
What can I do?! (Other than step away from the edge) It drives me crazy every time I hear the bin lid bang when someone puts rubbish in, even at crazy o’clock in the morning (waking my kids up), and every time I pull up outside, there they are, big bloody horrid wheely bins staring at me!!!!

Have you asked them to put the bins in the designated area?
Is it your front garden or a shared area? If it's your area, tell them to move their bins out of your garden. If it's a shared area, try asking them nicely and explaining that it's causing both a smell and noise?

I'd start with asking them to put the bins in the bin area. It might be resolved as easily as that

Tell them that the smell from their bins is getting into your flat and ask them to move them... because it’ll all get much, much worse when the weather gets warmer.

Are they on your property?

It’s a communal front lawn. Their bins lean on my walls.
There is no path outside my windows just grass they’ve have to walk on to get to their bins.

Can’t attach a photo/diagram but:

lounge. bedroom bathroom. Kitchen.
[Window]. [window]. [window] [windowx2]
My flowersss[Their bins]My flowerssss

P
A. Lawn area
T
H
P
A
T
H
Pavement.Pavement.Pavement.Pavement

Have you asked them?
If it's a communal garden they have as much right to put their bins in it as you (depending if your lease says anything about bin storage).
However if they aren't arseholes they'd probably move them if you explain the issue and ask nicely.

Yeah i think look at it from their point of view, they just thought it would be simpler to have them somewhere more convenient, and not living on the ground floor they haven't realised it's a problem.
So approach them in the way you'd hope to be approached and see how it goes

*i can understand.

I would wheel them round to where you think they should be and speak to them about it. If they stick their bins under your windows again, keep moving them until they get the message.

Just speak to them calmly and directly. Stop winding yourself up - it’s been 6 months! Say as it’s coming into summer now - they smell / your windows are open / you want to plan more flowers for the benefit of all the residents

I saw them this afternoon and said hello etc etc
Mentioned I had some more flowers to plant out the front and would they mind moving their bins so I could plant them- they told me to F off.

I had a feeling they would... soooo what to do now??

(PP re:being house proud- there’s nothing wrong with wanting to live in an attractive area and to make the most of our open spaces. We are lucky enough to have lovely gardens and a lawn outside so why not plant it up so that it looks it’s best?)

Well done for approaching them reasonably - shame that they were so rude.

Are they owner occupiers? Do you know what the lease says? If they rent - can you contact the LL or letting agent? Do you have a residents committee. Was one of the occupants less ignorant than the other. Could you work on that one a bit more before going down official channels?

Oh dear they sound delightful, sorry to hear your neighbours are so unreasonable.

Do they rent or own? Is there anything on the deeds that says means must be stored in the roper place. Is there a management agency for the flats?

I bet they aren't allowed to keep the bins there.

Is there anything that you could do to make it difficult for them to put their bins there? Maybe you could put something else there instead?

Plant something under your window so they can't use the space? Or put your own (non-smelly) bins there instead? Store something else in your bin shed?

Well they're charmers aren't they?!!! Why on earth wouldn't they just move them to where they should be?
Just nasty and selfish

Could you put something obstructive in the place of the wheelie bins so your windows aren't blocked/subject to their bins? A bin store or bike rack? I'd look at reporting them to the LL and council as well and if it's the same in your area as mine when bins "disappear" you have to pay for new ones. The other option although I'd be loathed to do it is move them yourself either back to where they should be or out of sight/imposition to you?

Plant a pyracantha and berberis where they've been putting their bins.

Move their bins to where they should be and have been keeping them for 4 years and plant your plants. If they damage your plants contact your neighbourhood policing team/PCSO and ask for advice. Keep moving them back every single time.

Are they renting? If they’re going to be like that you should contact the landlord.

they could also put their bins there -which they have done for 4 years, but stopped doing 6 months ago.
What happened 6 months ago?

Mentioned I had some more flowers to plant out the front and would they mind moving their bins so I could plant them- they told me to F off.
That's very OTT. What was said exactly? Is someone causing trouble with them and blaming you?

Check your lease. There may be a clause about keeping communal areas tidy and about bin storage policy. If you're paying maintenance fees, get onto the management company.

I appreciate the reasons why having your bins outside your window doesn't bother you, but having theirs does. However from your neighbour's perspective it does seem a bit unreasonable that you put your bins there but don't like it when they do.

Have you checked the rules around what is permitted in the shared areas?

I'm sure the leases will state something about not leaving personal items in the communal areas.

There will also be rules about using the bin store provided.

Who manages your building? It will either be an RMC/managing agent or landlord (freeholder). This will also be stated in your leases. Contact them and request that they take action against the other tenant regarding the breach of leases.