Neighbors are usually great, but what if they have annoying habits? ‘Can neighbors put their bins outside my house?’ It may be a question you thought you’d never ask, but it’s an issue that’s more common than you might think.
Sure, the first time they leave their bins outside your house you let it slide, but what if it becomes a regular thing? Can they legally place waste bins at your house, and what do you do about it if it starts to become a nuisance?
Waste container storage ideas are one way to help with bin storage issues, but you may need to go further. It is always a good idea to interact with your neighbors in a positive manner whenever possible. So where do you stand when your neighbors leave their bins at your house?
Can neighbors legally place trash bins outside my home?
If your neighbors leave their waste bins outside your house, you may be wondering what the law says about this. The simple answer to this question is: yes, legally you can, but there is more to it, says Graham Matthews, waste management expert at Business waste explains.
“Neighbors can legally leave trash cans on the sidewalk outside your house a few hours before they need to be emptied,” says Graham. ‘However, they cannot place them on your property as this could be a trespass. After emptying, the bins must be placed back on your own property or in front of your own home.’
(Image credit: Getty Images)
“Leaving a trash can on the sidewalk is not a criminal offense, but it is a civil matter,” Graham continues. ‘Councils have the power to issue fixed penalty notices for leaving bins on the pavement, under 46a of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. These can only be imposed if the bin creates an obstacle, preventing wheelchairs or pushchairs from passing by can come if they are left outside. left for a few days can attract pests, fall over or become damaged. Simply leaving rubbish on the curb for a few hours before or after emptying it is not illegal and will not result in a fine.”
What can I do if my neighbors leave their bins at my house?
If this has become a regular problem, there are a few things you can try to resolve the problem while remaining on good terms with your neighbors.
- Have a chat with them. They may not realize that this is causing a problem for you. This is always the best first step and in many cases will solve the problem.
- If talking to them doesn’t help, put a friendly note in their mailbox to remind them of the conversation you had and put something in writing so you can keep track of when you first brought the problem to their attention.
- A final step is to contact your municipality, who can escalate the matter for you.
‘The best thing you can do is simply talk to your neighbors and politely ask them to stop leaving their bins at your house,’ advises Graham Matthews. ‘Specify whether this will cause inconvenience to someone using the sidewalk, or cause access problems, and hopefully the message will get across.’
“If that doesn’t work, you can file a complaint with your municipality,” Graham continues. ‘If there is a persistent problem, they can impose a fixed fine. This starts with a written warning informing them of the problem, what they need to do to resolve the problem and what will happen if they don’t comply. If they fail to comply, a notice of intent and a final notice with a fixed penalty notice of up to £80 may apply.”
(Image credit: Future PLC)
Is it illegal to leave trash containers on the sidewalk?
We all sometimes forget to bring our bin in on time, but what if someone on your street leaves theirs for days and it gets annoying? Can they do this legally, or are they breaking the law?
First of all, leaving bins unnecessarily on the sidewalk can create an obstruction, making it difficult for someone with a stroller or wheelchair to get past. Ideally, it is best to bring them in as soon as possible.
It is not illegal to leave a bin on the pavement, but as a last resort the council can fine anyone who repeatedly leaves their bin on the pavement.
If you know a neighbor who leaves their bins on the sidewalk for longer than necessary and you feel this is causing a nuisance, the first step is to talk to them, in case they are not at the curb. is aware of the problem.
Your municipality can impose a fixed fine if an abandoned waste bin causes a nuisance, remains outside for several days, attracts vermin or if a bin falls over or looks unsightly.
(Image credit: Future PLC/Derek Robinson)
How far should bins be from a building?
Place waste containers an appropriate distance from your home or someone else’s home, as they can attract pests and pose a fire hazard. As a guideline, a distance of 3 meters is recommended, but this varies per insurer. So you may need to check your home insurance policy to see how far your bin should be from your home.
If garden shed is limited, your insurer may accept bins being stored closer to the house if a fire barrier can be built.
Can a neighbor throw things in my bins?
We’ve all been there: your waste bin is full to the brim, but you notice that your neighbor’s waste bin has enough space and that you still need to put out a garbage bag. But would you want to take the risk of putting it in your neighbor’s trash can? While it may not seem like a big deal if it happens from time to time, it can become annoying if it happens regularly.
“Neighbors should not throw anything in your bins unless you give them permission,” says Graham Matthews. ‘Technically it is a form of tipping and anti-social behaviour, but it is very unlikely that someone will be prosecuted for throwing something in your bin. If it is an ongoing problem, legal action may be taken as tipping off is a criminal offense in the UK.”
‘If a neighbor throws waste or anything else into your waste bin while the waste bins are on your property, this can also count as a violation.’
If you notice that your neighbor is using your waste bin, the easiest solution is to tell him that you would prefer that he not throw his waste in your bin. In many cases, your neighbor may not realize that this is causing a problem for you and will hopefully stop once you bring the problem to him or her.