Finding out your neighbour has been using your property without permission can be frustrating.
Most of us would have no issues with our neighbours borrowing something of ours if they needed it. Whether it’s a tool for a DIY project or a couple of tea bags, as long as they’ve asked politely, sharing is no problem.
However, there are some things that you just shouldn’t share. You probably wouldn’t let your neighbour use your personal computer without a good reason, nor would you share items like toothbrushes and makeup sponges.
Another thing you shouldn’t share is your wheelie bin. Each house on your street should have its own, and it’s not your responsibility to take in other people’s rubbish – especially if they don’t ask. In fact, doing so can land you in trouble if they put something in the bin that they’re not supposed to.
And that’s exactly the situation one man is facing after he caught his neighbour sneaking rubbish into his bin.
In a post on Reddit, the man said he has only been living in his new home for six months, but he has already caught his neighbour using his wheelie bin three times – twice in the last month.
On the most recent occasion, he noticed his neighbour’s bin was “full by the middle of the week,” so believes they used his because they couldn’t fit any more rubbish in their own bin.
He wrote: “I live alone and tend to take out my trash later on in the week and sometimes the day of [collection]. Today is trash day, and they’ve done it again. I noticed that they had a lot of cardboard boxes in their trash can, and it was full by the middle of the week.
“They didn’t put anything in mine until the day of [collection], so I’m thinking they thought I wasn’t going to put anything else in there. I’m wondering if I’m just being petty and if I should let it go or confront them.
“My main issue is that they are preventing me from being able to put my trash in my trash can. They add enough to fill it up and they don’t even ask before they do it. It causes my trash to become backed up.”
Commenters on the post said the man should definitely confront his neighbours. Using someone else’s rubbish bin can be considered illegal in the UK, as it technically falls under fly-tipping. It is also against the law in some US states.
One person said: “I had a new neighbour who did this. Then I got a letter from the trash company telling me not to put needles in my trash. Also, using someone else trash can is against the law in my state.”
Another added: “You’re not being petty, and they should have asked. I’d take it out of mine and put it outside theirs.”
In an edit to his original post, the man later clarified he had spoken to his neighbour, and they now have an “understanding” about the bins – although he did not elaborate on what that was.
Is it illegal to use someone else’s wheelie bin?
According to British Bins, putting waste in someone else’s bin without permission is illegal in the UK. This is because it’s considered a form of fly-tipping, which is defined as the illegal depositing of waste on land, including waste that is put in someone else’s bin without their permission.
Getting caught doing this could result in a fine of up to £400, though this figure could rise if the fly-tipping is on a larger scale that warrants a higher fine.
Local councils may also issue fines if households do not comply with waste receptacle requirements. This means if your neighbour causes your bin to be too full or puts the wrong items inside, you could be the one who faces the penalties.
