Bought a flat, very bad smell please help im struggling

bouicca21

I have had a problem with the communal food waste bin which is maybe 20 foot from my flat. Solution is reasonably easy. I wash it out with boiling water every time it is emptied, and then sprinkle salt. Every now and then I scrub it out. The glass and plastic waste recycling bins are also a problem as people just will not wash out containers before chucking them in the bins. So I also wash them with boiling water - bit more like once a month rather than once a week.

It doesn’t take long, it keeps the smells (and maggots) away.

Grumpy_chap

I just had a thought about this.

Let's take it as fact that the odour is originating from the bin store and some of that gas is migrating into the flat which will, presumably, be well ventilated given the current weather. The odour in the flat is still sufficiently pungent as to be offensively noticeable.

In the actual bin store must be absolutely reeking.

How come there are not complaints from all the residents about that state in the bin store?

In fact, if the state in that bin store is so bad, I would have thought it would be enough to make a reasonable proportion of residents carry their rubbish to the other bin store which is apparently lightly used.

billiepiper14

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82088702#Comment_82088702

I know the cleaner lady complained it wasn’t emptied by bin men because it was too full and they had to send someone next day to clear the bags down presumably to other store

Grumpy_chap

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82088706#Comment_82088706

So, was that a compliant that the bins were not empty so she had nowhere to put the rubbish collected that day?

Or a complaint about the odour?

billiepiper14

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82088710#Comment_82088710

im not too sure I think it was absolute state of bin store. I don’t know how they normally smell

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82088702#Comment_82088702

If the actual bin store isn't reeking, then BP's daughter barely has a case. So I imagine it is pretty stinky, and certainly would be if it includes food waste.

However, the expectation of a smell existing in a communal bin store will be very different to that in a flat; folk depositing their waste in that room will likely not be surprised by this, and will 'accept' having to hold their noses whilst doing so; there's little to complain about as it's temporary and no real surprise.

Inside a flat, tho', a very much lesser level of waste smell is completely unacceptable if it's coming from an external source.

There's much we don't know, tho' - how is food waste supposed to be treated and kept at the premises? What type of waste is causing the smell - unwashed containers, or worse?

billiepiper14

“It would of been know of the time of purchase the bin store was below so caveat emptor applies accordingly”

This was in management reply.

billiepiper14

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82088784#Comment_82088784

I think everything’s going in those bins nothing to advise people otherwise. He has a tiny little food waste caddy that he can start using in August

WIAWSNB

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/82088813#Comment_82088813

An ignorant response. Easily dismantled with simple comparisons - you could have had garages underneath - as with a coach house - but that doesn't mean you should accept car fumes coming through your floor.

(Confirm - was that a verbatim account of their reply?)

A bin store should be fit for purpose. This one doesn't appear to be.

This wee food caddy - who provided it? And what is she meant to do with the contents each week?

Has she found out what the block's stated waste disposal regime should be? Has she contacted the LA to find out what their expectations are? (Perish the thought we get one item mixed up where we are. And rightly so.)

Has she stared to gather evidence? Statements?

Did she add Legal Protection to her contents policy when she moved in?

IF there is a strong or noticeable smell coming up from these bins to her flat via the fabric of the building, and that makes any room unpleasant or difficult to be in, that surely has to be a statutory nuisance or EH issue.

No-one else could do this and get away with it. You couldn't place a stinking and unsealed food waste bin against your neighbour's boundary where it would affect them.

billiepiper14

yes exact words they also said nothing to address here about the fire report

she has legal protection but from enquires it sounds like it is more for defending your case

awwaiting refuse collection getting back to us

Can certainly try environmental health again

Thankyou so much you are giving me so many ideas i really appreciate everyone’s help