I live in a terraced house that's my own property - one in a row of 10 houses. The house next door is rented and has had various tenants over the years. Last year a young woman and her 15 year old son moved in. We haven't spoken often, she works and I'm retired but I'd say we get on OK from the short conversations we've had. There is a passageway at the back of the houses that allows access to the gardens. The gardens are surrounded by tall fences and gates lead to the passageway. There has always been a small amount of rubbish in the passageway at the end of the neighbours garden, a much larger amount at the end of the next two where there is no exit. From my garden to the exit in the opposite direction all the neighbours keep it clear. The amount of rubbish next door, has increased lately and is now encroaching in the area at the end of my garden. I'm talking about furniture - chairs, doors, counter tops etc. There are two large items outside my gate. Fortunately, the gate opens inwards and I still have some access. This area needs to be kept clear for equipment brought by gardeners and various workmen, so that it doesn't need to be brought through my house. I don't drive and even if I could, if I moved it, I fear it would merely encourage more to be dumped. I'm not sure how to approach my neighbour to ask when, or if, she intends to move at least the stuff outside my gate or preferably, all of it. Any suggestions of how to handle the situation would be very gratefully received.
Surely if there was work being done you would have heard banging and cutting, power tools etc
Definitely begin with neighbour. A smile and a hello and a "I'm concerned about this stuff-you any idea whose it is?". Good relationships with neighbours worth their weight in gold I find.
We have new young neighbours, expecting 3rd baby any day. Her Dad doing lots of work and, must admit front garden looks like a dumping ground-sigh! Used to be a lovely garden. Just biting our tongues for now. . . . not remotely a danger though.
My first approach would be the landlord to check if the rubbish is coming from his rented property. He will contact the renter for you to check.
It may not be your neighbour could be someone else, softly softly is always the best approach.
You mentioned doors and counter tops retirementisgreat could you approach your neighbour by saying something like 'oh is the landlord doing some home improvements, I've noticed the old doors and counter tops outside'?
This could encourage vermin and be a problem if there was a fire. If the house is rented through an agency they would be responsible for ensuring all rubbish is removed. If it's a landlord problem the council can still help trace him. They will know who owns the house.
I would ask neighbor for Landlords phone number as you wish to ask him to remove debris from outside your house. It sounds like a trip hazard. We are Landlords and always give neighbors on both sides of the B2L property our number in case of issues.
Merlotgran's approach is good. There's no offence offered.
Another vote for Merlotgran’s approach!
Have you spoken to the local fire-brigade? I should think the problem could be construed as a fire hazard and as limiting the fire brigade's access to the properties.
Merlotgrans idea is a good way to go.
The house next door to mine has been made into three flats, all rented. We made sure to get the contact number and address of the landlord soon after he bought the property and we contact him directly, and fairly immediately, if there are any problems. He is always grateful (though not necessarily happy) when we let him know that his gutters are leaking, his tenants are noisy, his garden is encroaching on ours etc. and he addresses problems quite promptly.
I suggest you pop round to your neighbour and, just as you have done on here, explain the problem and ask her if you can agree a strategy to have the rubbish removed. Most people are reasonable I've found.
I think I'd have a word with your neighbour first. If she doesn't get rid of the rubbish I'd contact the landlord, and the Council. xx
Just ask your neighbour if its from her house.
If it is ask her if she's made arrangements to have it removed.
The problem is that we just don't communicate with each other
Sounds more likely to be a problem the landlord needs to sort out but asking the neighbour if she knows if her landlord is responsible for the stuff left there would possibly be a better approach than asking he if it's hers.
You need to approach this as tactfully as possible, no one wants bad feeling between neighbours, so my advice would be to talk to your neighbour before going down any other route.
I think Merlotgran's suggestion is a good one - if it doesn't work a more direct approach might be needed - 'I'm in danger of falling over this rubbish - can you arrange for it to be moved' sort of thing.
If workmen dumped the rubbish then it’s the landlords responsibility not the tenant, although she is the one who would have to contact him.
I shall have to wait for an opportune moment to speak to my neighbour as find out if she is aware of "the problem".
Anyone other than my neighbour would have a very long walk along the passageway to dump the stuff so unlikely to be fly-tippers.
The landlord - who I've never met has had work done on the house - the back doors was replaced. I guess workman dumped it.
Been in touch with the council - Evans though next door is rented it's private property so council won't move the rubbish.
You could go round to your neighbour and say, 'I don't know about you but I'm getting really concerned about the amount of fly tipping outside our gates. Do you think we should contact the council?' and see what her reaction is.
It's a friendly starting point with no accusations.
If the property is rented , I would think it’s unlikely that the counter tops and doors would belong to your neighbour ? If the landlord is having work done in there, it would be his responsibility to move the rubbish. As others have said best not to accuse her unless you are sure.
As Scribbles says, you can't be entirely sure that the rubbish was dumped by your neighbour so it probably wouldn't be a great idea to ask her to remove it.
I'm not sure what the answer is. Maybe, if the property falls within the council's responsibility, you could report it to the council.
Are you certain it's your neighbour dumping the stuff or could it be people from elsewhere fly tipping? This used to happen quite a lot in the area where I lived until last year and many of those rear alleys were subsequently fitted with locked gates (to which residents were given keys). If the alleyway isn't private property, the council have a duty to shift it. If it is private property, however, they'll tell you it's the responsibility of the owner to arrange clearance.
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