A Trashy Situation featuring my next door neighbor

A Trashy Situation featuring my next door neighbor

Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes

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?

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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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  • MI · Member since 2019 · 8 posts · 7 votes
    5y

    You could put the parcels together and build another multifamily next door. Then the space in between is where you put the dumpster. Issue solved.

  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    5y

    @Marshall Henry  looks like he is treating it like his front door despite it being your back. suggest to Put up a privacy fence/ block it from his side or lose the dumpster.   That white thing is trash too? 

  • Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Daniel Smyth:

    @Marshall Henry

    The option not addressed, is to use the normal sized bins and let tenants know that trash goes inside only. That should also be in the lease agreement.

    If you MUST get a dumpster, it's your job to keep it clean and not overflowing.

    Living there, you can better monitor others and get them trained.

    A dumpster can sometimes have wheels or castors installed. This way the dumpster can be stored in one place, and then wheeled to another on trash day.

    Posturing never works. We need to take the high-school attitudes out of play, and understand that every problem does have a solution, even if everyone is not happy.

    However, depending on the attitude of the complainer, I can get nasty too. I sometimes go to that high-school mentality, so to make the bigger pockets people happier, I offered a more business option or two..

    If you find a solution and your neighbor smirks at you or rubs it in, I might try to forgive and move on with life.

    Good luck!

    I appreciate the thoughtful feedback!

    I have considered that. Moving the dumpster and returning it on trash days. Which would be fine for now.  However, we get nasty winters here, and it would be almost impossible to push it through the snow. 

  • Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @TJ F.:

    Have you offered to buy his house?

    I’ve considered that! Lol

    I do not think he owns it though, my assumption is that he’s renting! According to the county’s assessor’s website at least. 

  • Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Daniel Smyth:

    @Marshall Henry

    The option not addressed, is to use the normal sized bins and let tenants know that trash goes inside only. That should also be in the lease agreement.

    If you MUST get a dumpster, it's your job to keep it clean and not overflowing.

    Living there, you can better monitor others and get them trained.

    A dumpster can sometimes have wheels or castors installed. This way the dumpster can be stored in one place, and then wheeled to another on trash day.

    Posturing never works. We need to take the high-school attitudes out of play, and understand that every problem does have a solution, even if everyone is not happy.

    However, depending on the attitude of the complainer, I can get nasty too. I sometimes go to that high-school mentality, so to make the bigger pockets people happier, I offered a more business option or two..

    If you find a solution and your neighbor smirks at you or rubs it in, I might try to forgive and move on with life.

    Good luck!

    Thanks for taking the time and sharing your thoughts!

    I’ve considered The idea of just letting this one slide in order to alleviate the stress. My concern with that is the whole giving the rat a piece of cheese. 
    will there be something else that bothers him? 

  • Member since 2020 · 16 posts · 5 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Bruce Woodruff:

    I was going to suggest going back to the 90gals and adding a couple. So its $100 mo extra, better than a POed neighbor...

    What if he comes back with even more issues down the line?  

  • Bruce WoodruffPro Member
    Contractor/Investor/Consultant · San Diego / Phoenix · Member since 2021 · 12k+ posts · 15k+ votes
    5y

    We'll then you've at least tried to meet him halfway the first time.... You can play hardball next time....But now I'm thinking that building an enclosure is a good idea. That dumpster looks like crap for the whole neighborhood...

  • Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 281 votes
    5y

    Sorry, I'm with him. That is super close to his house and is gross. If it does start smelling, it will be a legal nuisance to him. Plastic bin lids keep in stink much better. 

    if you want to gamble on it, put up a fence to the side to be respectful so he doesn't have to look at it. Otherwise, go the $100 route. 

  • Investor · Palmdale · Member since 2016 · 112 posts · 80 votes
    5y

    I'm a bit more introverted and prefer not to go out of my way to talk to neighbors. I will say hello, but have noticed trying to really build relationships with neighbors can be tricky because it makes them feel more comfortable to do things you may not want,  i.e. move your trash bins. In your situation I would try the two bins and if you notice a problem, upgrade then. In my area if we put a big bin it would invite other people to dump there. I can see how a neighbor could be upset with the larger bins if it smells, in which case I would think the smell would bother you and your other tenants seeing that the bin is on your property. Either way do what makes the most sense. Good luck!

  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Marshall Henry:
    Originally posted by @Paul Bunton:

    @Marshall Henry we have a triplex and use 2 garbage bins and 2 recycling bins. Works out fine. I do agree with some of the other comments about education. Some people just don't know how to break down boxes and other bulky items. I go to the dump sometimes but mainly due to projects.

     Thank you for your response! Unfortunately we do not have the option of recycling currently. Therefore everything goes in the same bins. I’ll investigate that though. I’ll double check with the city on the recycling and perhaps that could be a good solution. 

     No recycling? That is weird, it is 2021 not 1980, haha. Must be a very rural area.

  • Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 281 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
    Originally posted by @Marshall Henry:
    Originally posted by @Paul Bunton:

    @Marshall Henry we have a triplex and use 2 garbage bins and 2 recycling bins. Works out fine. I do agree with some of the other comments about education. Some people just don't know how to break down boxes and other bulky items. I go to the dump sometimes but mainly due to projects.

     Thank you for your response! Unfortunately we do not have the option of recycling currently. Therefore everything goes in the same bins. I’ll investigate that though. I’ll double check with the city on the recycling and perhaps that could be a good solution. 

     No recycling? That is weird, it is 2021 not 1980, haha. Must be a very rural area.

     My hometown moves the excess cost of recycling on to the residents versus forcing everyone to subsidize it to make everyone feel good. My disabled brother now pays for it out of his SSI disability because my parents made his chore to go to the central recycling facility (which is free), and he got sick of it. Lol. $10 per month for every other week pickup. 

  • Joe SplitrockPro Member
    Moderator
    Rental Property Investor · Sioux Falls, SD · Member since 2015 · 9k+ posts · 18k+ votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Genny Li:
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
    Originally posted by @Marshall Henry:
    Originally posted by @Paul Bunton:

    @Marshall Henry we have a triplex and use 2 garbage bins and 2 recycling bins. Works out fine. I do agree with some of the other comments about education. Some people just don't know how to break down boxes and other bulky items. I go to the dump sometimes but mainly due to projects.

     Thank you for your response! Unfortunately we do not have the option of recycling currently. Therefore everything goes in the same bins. I’ll investigate that though. I’ll double check with the city on the recycling and perhaps that could be a good solution. 

     No recycling? That is weird, it is 2021 not 1980, haha. Must be a very rural area.

     My hometown moves the excess cost of recycling on to the residents versus forcing everyone to subsidize it to make everyone feel good. My disabled brother now pays for it out of his SSI disability because my parents made his chore to go to the central recycling facility (which is free), and he got sick of it. Lol. $10 per month for every other week pickup. 

     Recycling isn't about making people feel good, it is about reducing landfill waste, keeping the air clan and reusing natural resources to reduce cost. My city implemented strict policies years ago and it extended the life of the landfill by 20 years. Whether your city pushes it to a landfill or burns the garbage, it has to go in the ground or in the air. You can reduce garbage by 40-50% if you recycle. The cost of disposal will skyrocket in the future, so extending the life of existing disposal methods is lower cost in the long run. 

    We pay $19.08 per month for two cans, one garbage and one recycle. They are both 95 gallon. Recycle is picked up every two weeks, garbage every week. It is single stream recycling, so there is no sorting necessary. It gets sorted at the recycling facility. Part of the reason for low cost is we don't have government provided garbage service. We have 20+ local garbage carriers and you can contract whomever you want. Competition and conservation keep costs very low. We also have free drop off centers for yard waste, batteries, chemical waste and electronic waste. This keeps hazardous items out of the landfill. 

    I guess this is Baltimore's conservation program, haha.

  • Baltimore, MD · Member since 2018 · 432 posts · 281 votes
    5y
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
    Originally posted by @Genny Li:
    Originally posted by @Joe Splitrock:
    Originally posted by @Marshall Henry:
    Originally posted by @Paul Bunton:

    @Marshall Henry we have a triplex and use 2 garbage bins and 2 recycling bins. Works out fine. I do agree with some of the other comments about education. Some people just don't know how to break down boxes and other bulky items. I go to the dump sometimes but mainly due to projects.

     Thank you for your response! Unfortunately we do not have the option of recycling currently. Therefore everything goes in the same bins. I’ll investigate that though. I’ll double check with the city on the recycling and perhaps that could be a good solution. 

     No recycling? That is weird, it is 2021 not 1980, haha. Must be a very rural area.

     My hometown moves the excess cost of recycling on to the residents versus forcing everyone to subsidize it to make everyone feel good. My disabled brother now pays for it out of his SSI disability because my parents made his chore to go to the central recycling facility (which is free), and he got sick of it. Lol. $10 per month for every other week pickup. 

     Recycling isn't about making people feel good, it is about reducing landfill waste, keeping the air clan and reusing natural resources to reduce cost. My city implemented strict policies years ago and it extended the life of the landfill by 20 years. Whether your city pushes it to a landfill or burns the garbage, it has to go in the ground or in the air. You can reduce garbage by 40-50% if you recycle. The cost of disposal will skyrocket in the future, so extending the life of existing disposal methods is lower cost in the long run. 

    We pay $19.08 per month for two cans, one garbage and one recycle. They are both 95 gallon. Recycle is picked up every two weeks, garbage every week. It is single stream recycling, so there is no sorting necessary. It gets sorted at the recycling facility. Part of the reason for low cost is we don't have government provided garbage service. We have 20+ local garbage carriers and you can contract whomever you want. Competition and conservation keep costs very low. We also have free drop off centers for yard waste, batteries, chemical waste and electronic waste. This keeps hazardous items out of the landfill. 

    I guess this is Baltimore's conservation program, haha.

     It's my hometown, not the county I live in MD, that does that. Of course Baltimore (where I don't actually live--I'm in the boonies but near DC) has recycling collection.  They can't keep their streets clean, but they are going to pay for recycling, for sure.

    Landfill space is all but a non-issue. The energy costs of recycling is a fairly major issue, though, and makes most types uneconomical when you throw in individual collection and sorting. I really love the idea of recycling, but I don't feel right forcing my cuddly ideas on to other people for whom the costs of my good intentions may not be trivial. 

    Your county may publish the cost of each type of disposal per ton. Mine does. My hometown also does. It's not a pretty number for recycling still, even with mandated forcing certain percentages of post consumer waste to be used. 

    Now, another 50 years downstream... maybe even 30 years...the incredibly clever and fascinating waste sorting centers may get good enough that is is actually price competitive with landfills. I'll love that. I recycle myself, and our recycling is always a lot fuller than our trash. But I'm still not going to feel right about the amount of money that's it's going to take to get to that point, technologically, and that it is extracted from many people who don't see the value in it.

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