Next door neighbours using my wheelie bins

honeybee1234

Hi all

I recently moved to a new house. I've been doing a lot of going backwards and forwards as the house was in a bit of a state when I got it and it's needed a fair bit of work, so I haven't been there all the time. 

About a month ago, I got home and noticed one of my wheelie bins had disappeared. I had two general refuse bins from the previous occupants rather than one, and I clocked that my next door neighbours had suddenly gained a bin. OK I thought, they're a family and probably need it more than me on my own, so I left it.

Earlier I just went out to put my rubbish in the bin, and there was rubbish in there that wasn't mine, and that I'd seen some of on the next door neighbours' yard that had been there for a while leaving my bin nearly full. I'm pretty !!!!!! off at the cheek of them taking a bin, and then using my remaining bin for their rubbish!

How can I diplomatically tell them to leave my bins alone?! 

Browntoa

Or just accept that they may have thought that you weren't living there yet and made use of the in expecting it to be emptied before you came round again ? 

Otherwise , padlock on lid 

youth_leader

My green waste bin was stolen and I had to buy a new one before I completed - it was £39, so it was good of you to let them 'have' yours without asking. 

I'd just knock and say I don't mind you taking my extra bin, but please do not use mine for your overflow rubbish.  

honeybee1234

Browntoa said:

Or just accept that they may have thought that you weren't living there yet and made use of the in expecting it to be emptied before you came round again ? 

Otherwise , padlock on lid 

They definitely know I've been here, we can see each other through the back windows, and I'm here every week and have been for a while. 

Will bear padlock on bin idea in mind, thanks. 

comeandgo

Could you not just speak to them rather than buy an£ fit padlocks?

comeandgo

Could you not just speak to them rather than buy an£ fit padlocks?

AFF8879

comeandgo said:

Could you not just speak to them rather than buy an£ fit padlocks?

Agree this should be the first step, unless you already know them to be particularly aggressive/unsavoury etc. Putting padlocks on the bin without speaking to them first might come across as passive aggressive, and even though they’re in the wrong here, for the sake of getting off on the right foot with your new neighbours a friendly conversation should definitely be the first port of call - if they keep on doing it even after that then by all means fit the padlocks. 

lookstraightahead

Can't you have something like the equivalent of "stay away from the cookie jar", maybe a recording "this is not your bin" with a loud siren !

honeybee1234

comeandgo said:

Could you not just speak to them rather than buy an£ fit padlocks?

I'm not opposed to speaking to them. It's more that I want to keep myself to myself. 

Skiddaw1

Have to say I hate being put into that sort of position (where you're forced to be assertive without having done anything to instigate it). I agree with the consensus- difficult though it is, a polite word with them is the best starting point. Could you combine it with a 'new neighbour' popping round to introduce yourself and to wish them a happy Christmas perhaps? Good luck...

honeybee1234

Skiddaw1 said:

Have to say I hate being put into that sort of position (where you're forced to be assertive without having done anything to instigate it). I agree with the consensus- difficult though it is, a polite word with them is the best starting point. Could you combine it with a 'new neighbour' popping round to introduce yourself and to wish them a happy Christmas perhaps? Good luck...

This is it exactly. Good suggestion, I'll have a think on it.