Penalty Charge for 'Bin Store Misuse' in rented accommodation

[Deleted User]

I don't know if you already do this.., but I crush anything I can. Cut boxes into small bits and having a child (as long as no sharp items in bin of course) jump up and down on the recycle bin contents if the lid won't close. Fortunately this has rarely been needed. But it has happened, and that's all you can do with rules like this, protect yourself.

I'm afraid if the lid is poking up even a bit, they 'can' refuse to take it in most areas.

At least its not an £80 fine for dropping a bus ticket in the street.

If you did it, is it really worth the hassle of refusing to pay, getting up your LL's nose, then maybe finding out the fine has doubled? You know it was your box (otherwise someone would have had to have stolen a parcel, taken the contents and then thought to kindly put the empty box back in your recycle bin), you know you put it in there. Pay, learn, don't let it happen again. That's what the fine is for. Some things are worth fighting over, not sure this is.

sheramber

If our bins are overfilled- as in the lid is not fully closed- the bin is not emptied and a note is left on the top explaining why it was not emptied.

Clutterfree

If they are communal bins, who can say if someone moved the box a bit in order to get their own rubbish in?
I can't see how they can prove that you and not another tenant left the box like that.
If it was your bin alone, then they'd have a case.

maninthestreet

Clutterfree wrote: »

If they are communal bins, who can say if someone moved the box a bit in order to get their own rubbish in?
I can't see how they can prove that you and not another tenant left the box like that.
If it was your bin alone, then they'd have a case.

I think the box in question had the OP's address on it..

Clutterfree

maninthestreet wrote: »

I think the box in question had the OP's address on it..

Yes I know.
What I was trying to say is, when I use my own wheelie bin sometimes I have to rearrange items already inside in order to fit more rubbish in.
Who is to say the OP put said box in the bin correctly and then another tenant came along, couldn't fit their items in easily so moved OPs box without realising it prevented the lid closing properly?
I'm not saying this did happen, but the OP is sure they disposed of correctly so with it being a communal bin nobody can say 100% who is at fault.

societys_child

I never, never never ever throw anything away with my name and address still attached . . not ever

michael1234

I suspect the mgmt company isn't doing this to raise money (its not a lot for it in the scheme of things) and is there to "encourage" the behaviour it requires.

If it was me, I would dispute the charge on whatever grounds as you have but offer them a carrot in that if this charge is waived, you will try "even harder" to ensure the boxes are crushed properly and now that you are "fully aware" of the penalty scheme will abide by its terms going forward....

Slinky

Clutterfree wrote: »

Yes I know.
What I was trying to say is, when I use my own wheelie bin sometimes I have to rearrange items already inside in order to fit more rubbish in.
Who is to say the OP put said box in the bin correctly and then another tenant came along, couldn't fit their items in easily so moved OPs box without realising it prevented the lid closing properly?
I'm not saying this did happen, but the OP is sure they disposed of correctly so with it being a communal bin nobody can say 100% who is at fault.

My thoughts exactly, if they are communal bins, anybody could have rearranged, moved, overfilled or whatever and your box could have ended up on top.


(My neighbour was all for launching a CSI investigation when somebody chucked chicken and mushrooms in her bin. They were perfectly acceptable as far as the council are concerned, but she was very offended about somebody putting something else in 'her' bin. I reckoned it was a kid getting rid of their packed lunch on the way home from school as they'd been out and bought junk food instead. )

dc197

When I lived in a US apartment I got fined for leaving my rubbish outside a day early before kerbside collection within the compound. The management company rifled through my sacks to find an envelope with my address on. Caught red handed. The fine had the desired effect.
Now I am fastidious about identity security.

OP I would despute the fine. One it seems you're not guilty and two they may have no more power to fine you than I do.