Neighbor's Trash
A couple years ago a new neighbor purchased the brownstone next door to mine, and since then, at least 80 percent of the time, the trash from that house gets placed in front of MY brownstone on the nights when we put out trash and/or recycling on our block. I see the neighbor tries to…
A couple years ago a new neighbor purchased the brownstone next door to mine, and since then, at least 80 percent of the time, the trash from that house gets placed in front of MY brownstone on the nights when we put out trash and/or recycling on our block. I see the neighbor tries to put it where there is a break between cars (to make it easier for the sanitation workers), and they do have a large tree in front of their property (which takes up some space). There is still room in front of his own house though, and I don’t see why the tree entitles him to put his trash in front of my place. We have in the past been ticketed for recycling issues that were not our fault (when presumably some person walking by put a newspaper and empty coffee cup in one of our bins). I have always been vigilant to keep my recycling well sorted and in SEALED bags, and have kept lids on our trash bins. The neighbor is more careless and often piles improperly sorted recyclables in front of my house too. What is the most diplomatic way to express to this neighbor that his trash belongs in front of HIS OWN brownstone? Is this a common problem in brownstone Brooklyn?
The fact that your neighbor consciously makes an effort to put the trash where there is break between parked cars leads me to believe that he has generally good intentions. I would approach the situation without the pitchforks.
Colonel Steve Austin- You are categorically incorrect. The OP is responsible for all that goes on (no pun intended) on the sidewalk that extends from the property , e.g. snow removal, trash, defective sidewalks, irrespective of the actual ownership of the sidewalk by the City. Additionally, as previously stated,common courtesy precludes one from this type of conduct. The neighbor then is actually violating the OP’s space if that space is one that the OP is totally responsible for.
I understand. However, the OP has stated they have never received a violation due to the neighbors actions, nor did they mention that their trash was not picked up due to excessive number of bags. So you’re just talking hypothetically.
Colonel, there’s a limit to the number of bags that can be placed outside. If the neighbor violates that rule by adding their bags to the OP’s bags, or the neighbors bags have contents not allowed (like they have sharp metal objects in them, etc) then the OP is the one who gets fined because the bags are in front of her house. How is it you don’t understand that?
Thank you Colonel! Please post your address, I have been looking for a place to park my trash.
I really don’t understand what the problem is. So your neighbor puts his trash adjacent to his property, what the big deal? Have you ever been ticketed for his trash? If the trash is put out and sanitation picks it up, what harm is being done.
You’re acting like your neighbor is violating your space. In reality, it’s not your sidewalk.. Property lines are meaningless since sidewalks in NYC are public property.
Just say to the neighbor, Hey,Please do me a favor, put your trash in front of your own house, I have enough of my own in front of my house.
Thank you to everyone who has given advice and also strengthened my resolve to do something about this finally. Also thank you to those who made me laugh, your posts are hilarious! I want to grab my pitchfork and find those potato peels, and get to work!
I know that I’ll get beat up for this but here it goes. There is way too much political correctness and such these days. Why is it that these “minor inconveniences” and “neighborly oversights” always inure to the benefit of the offender and to the detriment of the other party. Any person with half of a brain and a semblance of decency knows full well that you don’t place your trash on your neighbor’s property. It is the all-too-common hurray for me f_ _ _ you attitude in the world today. The reason that it persists is your lack of resolve in stopping it. You don’t have to go to war but simply put a stop to it. If it makes you feel better tell the neighbor that you got a verbal warning from a Sanit Inspector and you don’t want to be responsible for your trash AND theirs.