Neighbor dumped their trash in my can after pick up

[dishdude]

I was in one of those moods this morning where you just want to break stuff. Trash collection was today, went to the curb around noon to retrieve the can and there's a bag of trash in it from my next door neighbor, I could tell from the junk mail inside, you could read it right through the bag. I don't know why I was so bothered, but why would he put his trash in my can after they had picked up? He had to see the can was empty. I took it out and put it in front of his garage door. I don't know if there's something in there that's going to stink, and why should I be the one to hold on to his trash for a week?

I rarely see him, but we had a run in last year where I messaged the HOA about his overgrown palm tree that was dropping berries all over my walkway and getting tracked into the house and car. HOA president copied me in on the message to him which annoyed him. Not satisfied, I emailed him.

Am I officially a curmudgeon?

 

[goblin]

Eh. You'll live. You're ok. And your neighbor probably is too.

 

[AZjeff]

Not sure but I don't think you're old enough to be a curmudgeon. Let your dog poop on his gravel.

 

[jghall00]

I painted my trash cans with my house number because I pressure wash them periodically. My neighbor, on the other hand, never cleans her trash pails. I also had one of mine replaced because the lid broke. My wife insisted that our neighbor previously swapped bins to give us the one with the damaged lid. Her lawn guy comes the day of trash pickup...after trash has been picked up. As a result, bag of yard waste sit on the curb for days. Your neighbor was wrong to dispose of his trash in your pail. He should take care of his own trash.

 

[JeffKeryk]

Your neighbor has his head in some an improper place.
I would also contact the HOA. The guy's a jerk.

 

[ZeeOSix]

I hate neighbors that think they can infringe on others at will with no ramifications. Lots of you know what holes in the world like that.

 

[dogememe]

I think you're fine.

 

[Sequoiasoon]

I think I'd hire a tree guy and trim anything that hangs on your side. If 1/2 a tree is left, so be it.

I might have them leave the branches on his side depending on the day.

 

[02SE]

It would be nice if people respected the property of others. Last week someone drove up and dumped their trash in my can after it was picked up. So now I have a can full of some losers garbage. I know it wasn't a nearby neighbor, as I only have a few, and they aren't inconsiderate idiots. Besides I watched the loser do it on the security camera which is out by the gate. I didn't recognize the vehicle. No visible plates on the vehicle the loser was driving.

Moral of the story: Some people suck, and bring your can in as soon as it's emptied.

 

[Lubener]

I would have done the same thing that you did.

 

[dlundblad]

Assuming you keep your bin in the garage (I’m guessing you do if you have an HOA.), I would have done the same thing. I would probably attempt to talk to him in person before involving the HOA or sending emails though.

Somewhat old man moment for me so feel free to make fun. Our pond has a standpipe along the road for if the fire department needs to pull water from it. The other night they showed up unannounced at 6pm for testing/ flushing and didn’t roll out until 8:30. 3 fire trucks, a brush truck, and 2 volunteers parked in my yard outside our dining room at dinner time. I didn’t have the thing installed so I don’t know what the fine print is. I don’t mind them testing it and I’m happy it’s there, but completely unannounced whilst I have my dogs out is somewhat annoying.

 

[dlundblad]

It would be nice if people respected the property of others. Last week someone drove up and dumped their trash in my can after it was picked up. So now I have a can full of some losers garbage. I know it wasn't a nearby neighbor, as I only have a few, and they aren't inconsiderate idiots. Besides I watched the loser do it on the security camera which is out by the gate. I didn't recognize the vehicle. No visible plates on the vehicle the loser was driving.

Moral of the story: Some people suck, and bring your can in as soon as it's emptied.

I get your frustration, but better in your can than along your road somewhere.

 

[repairman54]

Happens all the time in areas where you have to pay individually for trash pick up.

 

[dnewton3]

I'd take a photo of the "evidence" for safekeeping, then set the bag at the corner of his driveway.

 

[zzyzzx]

Is putting the trash into their can an option?

 

[Hohn]

I rarely see him, but we had a run in last year where I messaged the HOA about his overgrown palm tree that was dropping berries all over my walkway and getting tracked into the house and car. HOA president copied me in on the message to him which annoyed him. Not satisfied, I emailed him.

Am I officially a curmudgeon?

Perhaps you are in the wrong.

You've handled the berry thing all wrong and based on the email you sent, you handled it wrongly again.


Are you running out of trash capacity? Is your neighbor putting his trash in your bin causing yours to overflow?


Here's the note you need to send to your neighbor:

"Hey (neighbor), I'm sorry I went to the HOA about the berries without going to you first. I should have shown you the respect to talk to you directly. Please accept my apology-- I want to do better. Since I don't want to repeat that mistake, I'd like to bring you a bottle of your favorite drink and discuss a plan to manage the tree growth near our property line. Being reasonable men, I'm sure there's a plan of attack we can mutually agree upon. Please reply to this email indicating your preferred beverage so I can be sure to get what you like.

Also, I wanted to ask you if it's Ok if we have extra trash if you wouldn't mind me putting it in your toter as long as it won't cause it to overflow. I don't think we'll run out of trash capacity anytime soon, so it's unlikely we'll need to do so. But some weeks we get more than other weeks-- people come by and put trash in our toter, or we get a bunch of packages or such, that sort of thing. I'll make every reasonable effort to ensure it won't come to that, but can we use your toter if a situation like that arises? I really appreciate that. By the same token, if you need a bit more trash space, you're welcome to use our toter as long as it won't cause it to overflow or make a big mess.

I'm sorry I let us get off on a wrong foot, and I'm looking forward to a future where we're supporting each other.

Signed, formerly whiny-hoa-involving-neighbor

"If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. "

 

[zzyzzx]

I would never get particularly upset about someone actually using my trash can (unless the bag leaked, or something). Because at least they are actually making an attempt to use a trash can.

 

[tblt44]

My neighbor did that with dog poop in mine
Yes it ticks you off

 

[wwillson]

The only time I have ever put trash in someone else's can, I asked. Mine was full and my neighbor's wasn't. He said no problem.

 

[PF52]

I was in one of those moods this morning where you just want to break stuff. Trash collection was today, went to the curb around noon to retrieve the can ....

I'm just surprised the HOA Karen didn't write you up for leaving the bin there until noon!