A Trashy Situation featuring my next door neighbor

Marshall Henry · 2021-08-27T01:09:17-07:00

We purchased a triplex about a month ago. We will be owner occupants and have been slowly moving in. I took the time to engage as many of my surrounding neighbors as I could and exchanged info and phone numbers with them. In setting up the utilities, I had the city come out and replaced our trash bins since we as owners are responsible. We had two 90gallon bins which I thought would not be enough for three units. I do not like to see overflowing trash bins. I had them replace the two 90gallon bins with the smallest commercial grade (400gal) they add available since it was only $0.77 more per month. The inspector said there was only two spot we could put the dumpster in order for the truck to be able to pick it up. One of those spot would be right in front and blocking my tenants garage door: that was a no go. So we were left with one option.Though the dumpster is on our property the neighbor right next door sent me a text saying, "Hey Bud this is your neighbor, can you have the city move that dumpster, they probably won't like it if I move it". Mind you this is after numerous run ins with this guy, because I made it a point to go introduce myself as well as made it a point to say hello every single time I see him outside. I thought the text sounded like a threat. As well as he chose to send a text after he has seen me around and never said anything all the times I said hello. I explained to him the situation of that being the only place I could put it according to the city. That it was on our property. And that I would contact the city and ask for a second opinion on a placement that would work better. After holding my anger back and explaining the situation, I tried to let him know that I would do my best to get something worked out, but ultimately I was not going to just move it cause he said so. And that if he were to move the bin, then he would be trespassing. After the back and forth, the last text he sent was, "Well I appreciate that, and I probably will move it if they don't, no fault of yours, just a different spot would be better, and there are plenty of spots over there where they can get to it, I apologize if it is ant inconvenience, I consider it rude that the city recommended putting a dumpster so close to somebody's door." I chose to not respond to this text because I was pretty much over this guy at this point. However the trash guys came early that next morning and I stopped them to inquire about it and the reiterated that was the only spot. As I was out there talking with them, he came out and they told him to call the city if he has an issue because that is the only spot they can pick it up. He called the city they told him the same thing. Then the city called me and told me about his complaint, but said there is nothing they can do since the dumpster is on my property and that's the only place the could get to it. As well as telling me the only option would be to get a smaller bin where the side loader on the trucks would be able to pick it up and therefore it could be placed anywhere along the street. I told them that would not work for us. His reason for the complaint he said is that the wind blows in the direction of his house. And he doesn't want to smell garbage. Which he mention has that he has yet to smell it, but it could be an issue. And also he "just doesn't like it there".In essence, the options are a pissed off neighbor or overflowing trash bin. Since nothing can be done about this garbage situation, what should I do if he moves the dumpster and the city does not pick it up?

Nathan GesnerBusiness Member

Moderator

Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes

5y

I think your plan is garbage. You're acting as though there's a trash problem before there's even a problem, which is now creating a problem with your neighbor. You are the bad neighbor for putting these over-sized garbage cans next to his entrance. If I were him, I would be upset, too.

Go back to the original garbage cans and educate your tenants to not overfill them with cardboard or other bulky items and you should be fine.

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15 Reply

Marshall Henry

OP

Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes

5y

Thank you Nathan

0 Reply

Genny Li

Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 281 votes

5y

A picture is worth a thousand words. If it is actually near his door, that's kinda horrible. And yes, it'll smell after a while.

Can you have 2 regular trash bins per unit? I know some people produce crazy amounts of garbage, and I'd rather them do that than leave the garbage in the house....

2 Reply

Marshall Henry

OP

Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes

5y

I appreciate the reply @Nathan Gesner

0 Reply

Colleen F.Pro Member

Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes

5y

@Marshall Henry How often does the city pick up? How big are the units? Is there recycling? I don't think that a dumpster for a triplex is usual and may be too much. I am thinking that this is probably not a neighborhood look and having a dumpster I can tell you even when they are emptied they can still smell because peoples trash breaks open and gets on the container. The other thing about dumpsters is they attract other people trash. If it is borderline I think I would lose the dumpster. The neighbor may be confrontational about it but that doesn't meant he doesn't have a point.

3 Reply

Marshall Henry

OP

Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes

5y

@Genny Li thanks for your reply. I’ll post a picture ASAP.

I could do two per unit. That would be $100 more in cost.

Some context: I disagreed with this logic because it is not any closer to his house than it is to mine. Also this is a back ally way (behind the properties on our street and behind the properties on the next street over if that makes sense) dedicated for trash pick up. There are dumpsters and trash bin all over this ally way (including his) because this is the ally the trucks use.
I assume the reason for this is so that people do not have their trash bins in the front of their properties.
Also if this is considered next to his property, then the bins are going to be next to the other neighbors’ property and off of my property completely because that’s where they were when I moved in. The trash was over flowing our first day in. That’s just from both tenants. I couldn’t imagine what it would look like with our trash added.

However most of all, and probably my biggest frustration, he saw me earlier that day, we had a conversation. I saw him the day before, I said hello. Neither time did he bring up the issue with me. He chose to send a threatening texts. I think that’s absolute lack of respect.

1 Reply

Genny Li

Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 281 votes

5y

Originally posted by @Marshall Henry:

@Genny Li thanks for your reply. I’ll post a picture ASAP.

I could do two per unit. That would be $100 more in cost.

Some context: I disagreed with this logic because it is not any closer to his house than it is to mine. Also this is a back ally way (behind the properties on our street and behind the properties on the next street over if that makes sense) dedicated for trash pick up. There are dumpsters and trash bin all over this ally way (including his) because this is the ally the trucks use.
I assume the reason for this is so that people do not have their trash bins in the front of their properties.
Also if this is considered next to his property, then the bins are going to be next to the other neighbors’ property and off of my property completely because that’s where they were when I moved in. The trash was over flowing our first day in. That’s just from both tenants. I couldn’t imagine what it would look like with our trash added.

However most of all, and probably my biggest frustration, he saw me earlier that day, we had a conversation. I saw him the day before, I said hello. Neither time did he bring up the issue with me. He chose to send a threatening texts. I think that’s absolute lack of respect.

Some people don't communicate in person that well. But that's why I said a picture is worth 1000 words. I can't tell how reasonable he is being just from the description!

2 Reply

Marshall Henry

OP

Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes

5y

@Colleen F. I appreciate your thoughts on the matter. The city picks up once a week. $10 for an extra pick up. The units are (2) 950 sqft. 2bed 1bath And 1bed 1bath that we I live in. There is also no recycling available. This dumpster is the smallest commercial grade. It’s 400gal. It is not massive by any means. And takes up less space than (4) 90 gal bins. This is not the only dumpster of its kind on the street. There are several. Because of that, I didn’t think it would be out of place. I understand what you said about attracting other people’s trash. That could definitely happen. I don’t think the chances are high because everyone on that street has at least (2) 90gal bins and some (1) 300gal with (1) 90gal and like I’ve mentioned, a few dumpsters just like mine.
I am not without understanding of his complaints. The issue is I do not believe a smaller bin would work. I’ve contacted the city about getting it moved to a different location and they said that’s about the only place it would work.
I do not agree with telling my tenants that they need to produce less trash. So that is a non starter for me

0 Reply

Joe SplitrockPro Member

Moderator

Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes

5y

@Marshall Henry although it wasn't your intent, you created this problem. You took something the previous owner had done and changed it. You also handed out your phone number to use as a complaint line. I think you have three options:

1. Go back to the 90 gallon cans and train your tenants to bring out trash before garbage day.

2. Tell him, sorry bud that dumpster isn't going anywhere. If you see it moved, move it back.

3. Look for some option to help like putting up a small section of fence to obscure view.

My best advice is don't keep texting. Ask to talk about it face to face. People like to hide behind texting. If you can get face to face, maybe you can work it out. For what it is worth, I didn't consider his texts threatening. You may be overreacting a little bit. I wouldn't want a dumpster by my door either. Unfortunately if you are within code and city says it can be there, then there is nothing he can do. Tell him to contact the city if he has an issue. That won't do anything, but it pushes the problem to someone else.

When I purchase my first properties, I introduced myself to the neighbors. I thought it was smart, but half the time it just leads to complaints. Now I don't initiate any type of introduction.

6 Reply

Genny Li

Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 281 votes

5y

Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:

@Marshall Henry although it wasn't your intent, you created this problem. You took something the previous owner had done and changed it. You also handed out your phone number to use as a complaint line. I think you have three options:

1. Go back to the 90 gallon cans and train your tenants to bring out trash before garbage day.

2. Tell him, sorry bud that dumpster isn't going anywhere. If you see it moved, move it back.

3. Look for some option to help like putting up a small section of fence to obscure view.

My best advice is don't keep texting. Ask to talk about it face to face. People like to hide behind texting. If you can get face to face, maybe you can work it out. For what it is worth, I didn't consider his texts threatening. You may be overreacting a little bit. I wouldn't want a dumpster by my door either. Unfortunately if you are within code and city says it can be there, then there is nothing he can do. Tell him to contact the city if he has an issue. That won't do anything, but it pushes the problem to someone else.

When I purchase my first properties, I introduced myself to the neighbors. I thought it was smart, but half the time it just leads to complaints. Now I don't initiate any type of introduction.

I introduced myself to the other LANDLORDS. loool. (It's all investor-owned.)

2 Reply

Marshall Henry

OP

Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes

5y

Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:

@Marshall Henry although it wasn't your intent, you created this problem. You took something the previous owner had done and changed it. You also handed out your phone number to use as a complaint line. I think you have three options:

1. Go back to the 90 gallon cans and train your tenants to bring out trash before garbage day.

2. Tell him, sorry bud that dumpster isn't going anywhere. If you see it moved, move it back.

3. Look for some option to help like putting up a small section of fence to obscure view.

My best advice is don't keep texting. Ask to talk about it face to face. People like to hide behind texting. If you can get face to face, maybe you can work it out. For what it is worth, I didn't consider his texts threatening. You may be overreacting a little bit. I wouldn't want a dumpster by my door either. Unfortunately if you are within code and city says it can be there, then there is nothing he can do. Tell him to contact the city if he has an issue. That won't do anything, but it pushes the problem to someone else.

When I purchase my first properties, I introduced myself to the neighbors. I thought it was smart, but half the time it just leads to complaints. Now I don't initiate any type of introduction.

I had told him to contact the city. Which he did.
I also decided not to message him back after a couple text messages.

I love your idea about the fence. And that is something we have considered. And is the mostly likely solution. He has a bunch of junk in his yard that we don’t care to see either

There is nothing he can do as I got permission from the city and it’s on my property. He would be trespassing.
However I do want to do my best to alleviate his concerns.