To complain or not to complain . . . That is the question

badlywornroy

A little background.

We are retired folk, our neighbours (moved in 3 years ago) are younger (early 40's)  we don't socialise but thus far we get along fine, passing the time of day when our paths cross  So all good so far.

I have no real desire to 'disturb' the status quo, but . . . .  this is the problem.

The white car in the foreground is mine, on my drive and we 'look out' on a skip for 6 months of the year ( maybe more)  the one in the picture has been there 8 weeks.

The man has a business and we get regular white vans pulling up behind said skip and offloading into the skip. It's pretty windy around here and we often get debris off the skip and down our drive. That plastic on the skip is probably coming 'our way'when the wind blows

So, to live with it or risk disturbing the 'bon homie' that currently exists ?  "That is the question" 

GentleGiant01

If that was me, I would be tempted to speak to them and just ask if it’s possible for them to cover the skip to avoid the rubbish coming into your garden. It’s probably a good chance to understand why they have it there in the first place. 

Section62

GentleGiant01 said:

It’s probably a good chance to understand why they have it there in the first place. 

From the OP's description that is fairly easy to explain - it is cheaper for a trader to have a skip at home to offload into than arranging a skip at each worksite, or going to a tip (on a commercial basis) at the end of each day.

Unfortunately unless they have the appropriate licence then doing that is illegal. It is also possible it is against the T&C's of the skip company to hire a skip for 'domestic' purposes, and then use it for dumping trade waste.

I would approach this by assuming the neighbour is aware of the law on trade waste, and knows they are (probably) doing something dodgy.  Therefore a polite request that the skip is covered to prevent items being blown away shouldn't cause too much upset... if the neighbour/trader is sensible they should realise covering the skip is essential to keep investigative eyes away from the contents, and to reduce the risk of enforcement action for distributing their waste around the neighbourhood.  Or if they do have a licence then this would be in jeopardy if they don't manage their waste more effectively (i.e. by covering it).

diego_94

Unless they are doing home improvements; complain. Take's the biscuit really and is very selfish. I bet they park their cars on the road as well?

eddddy

It's a bit of a tough one. If you  politely complain to the neighbour first, and they do nothing about it - so you have to then complain to the authorities - they'll probably guess it was you that reported them. And that might result in strained relations with your neighbours.

If you complain directly to the authorities, without speaking to the neighbour first, they can be less sure it was you who reported them.

jonnydeppiwish!

As @GM would have said, tea and cake and ask them to cover it.

theartfullodger

Do you want to have to declare a dispute when you sell?

ProDave

Ask to see their waste carriers licence that allows them to transport waste in their vans from site to this skip.

If they don't have one, inform the council.

Noneforit999

As above, a polite conversation with them advising the stuff often blows into your garden and ask if they would consider covering it.

They know what they are doing so they know full well you could make a complaint but ultimately this should be a last resort considering they live next door.

badlywornroy

Thanks for your thoughts.

'theartfulodger' said " Do you want to have to declare a dispute when you sell?"

Well, I'm 75 and I think my next move is into the cemetery ? 

Being retired and at home a lot tends to make us more aware of the 'little irritations' of life eh ?

Our house gets afternoon sun on the front of the house and I have a nice seat out there where I often sit and get some ' rays'

I would much prefer a view down the street, trees and such than a skip !

TBagpuss

ProDave said:

Ask to see their waste carriers licence that allows them to transport waste in their vans from site to this skip.

If they don't have one, inform the council.

Isn't it possible to check online if they have a licence without having to ask them? If you know their name / the name of the business? than you can decide whether to make an anonymous report or not.