Who's Right?Neighbour's bins left outside my house: what to do?
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In short
Start by talking calmly with your neighbour: they often don't realise it bothers you, and a simple fix usually works (a different spot, bins taken in quickly). If nothing changes, check your town hall's local collection rules, then consider mediation.
Both sides
Every Sunday evening, Julien puts his two bins right under my kitchen window, not in front of his own house. They stay there until Tuesday, sometimes longer. In summer they smell and wasps hover around them. I've got nothing against him, but I don't see why I should have to live with his rubbish.
In front of my house is my garage entrance: if I put the bins there, I can't get the car out on Monday morning. The pavement belongs to everyone, and I'm not putting them on her property. I leave for work very early and get home late, so I bring them in when I can. I had no idea the smell bothered her that much, she never said anything.
The verdict
Julien has a real practical problem: he can't block his garage entrance, and the pavement doesn't belong to Nadia. So he's right to look for another spot, and he isn't acting out of bad faith.
But always choosing the space under his neighbour's window, and leaving the bins there for two days, puts all the inconvenience on her. Smells and insects are a genuine nuisance. The real issue is how long the bins stay out, more than where they sit for one night.
Nadia is right on the substance, but she would have done better to speak up sooner: Julien is only now finding out. A conversation will fix this far better than quiet resentment.
The compromise
Julien puts his bins halfway between the two houses, as far as possible from the windows, and only the evening before collection. If he can't bring them in on the day, Nadia agrees to do it in exchange for a small favour, and they check in a month later to see if it's working.
Who do you think is right?
Pick a side.
Frequently asked questions
How do I raise it with my neighbour without upsetting them?
Pick a calm moment, talk about how it affects you rather than what they're doing wrong ("the smell comes into my kitchen"), and suggest a solution straight away. A face-to-face chat usually works better than a note in the letterbox.
Does the pavement in front of my house belong to me?
In most cases, the pavement is part of the public road, not your property. If in doubt, your town hall can tell you where your property ends.
Are there set times for putting bins out and bringing them in?
In France, it depends on your commune: many set times for putting bins out and taking them back in. Check with your town hall or local waste collection service.
What if my neighbour doesn't change anything after we talk?
You can send a polite letter repeating your request, then report the situation to the town hall if local rules exist. Mediation or a free conciliateur de justice (court conciliator) can also help you reach an agreement.
Can I move my neighbour's bins myself?
It's best not to do it without telling them, as it can make things worse. If you want to shift them a few metres, mention it first so it stays an arrangement between you.
Guide Disputes between neighbors: the guide
Written with the help of AI · This is not legal advice. How Who's Right decides
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