Bin wars: 5.8 million people have 'rubbish argument'

• In the last 12 months, one in nine people have had ‘bin wars’ with their neighbours over rubbish
• Greatest annoyance is neighbours leaving rubbish outside of their property for a long period of time
• One in 20 (five per cent) of rubbish rows have led to physical fights
   

New research from Churchill Home Insurance¹ reveals that 5.8 million Brits (11 per cent) have been involved in arguments with their neighbours over rubbish in the last 12 months. People who have exchanged ‘trash talk’ with their neighbours have argued on average five times in the last 12 months alone. 

The biggest bugbear for householders is when a neighbour leaves rubbish outside their home for a long period of time, with this stated in over a quarter (27 per cent) of disputes over waste. Rows have also been caused by neighbours leaving rubbish outside for other people to clear up (23 per cent), putting the wrong waste in someone else’s bins (22 per cent) and leaving rubbish out in bin bags which were then destroyed by wildlife (20 per cent). Another source of frustration is when neighbours allow trash to build up without disposing of it by taking it to the tip (20 per cent).

Table one: Causes of rubbish disputes between neighbours

Source: Churchill Home Insurance 2018
 

One in eight (16 per cent) of those who have had a dispute have taken drastic action and reported their neighbour to the council because of arguments over rubbish. Neighbourhood rows have also seen ‘trash talk’ become aggressive (nine per cent), with five per cent even resulting in a physical altercation or a call to the police (also five per cent).

These arguments can also end up costing householders large sums as they have had to pay for rubbish to be collected, pay fees for bin cleaning or even fork out for legal fees to resolve the despite. The average amount spent by those who have been in dispute with their neighbour about their rubbish is £117, however, one in 20 (six per cent) have had to spend as much as £500.

Martin Scott, head of Churchill home insurance said: “Living next to a poorly maintained property or a pile of rubbish can not only have an impact on you both emotionally and financially, but could also affect the long-term value of your home if you were to sell in the future.

“Council enforcement of environmental regulations is crucial to ensure the actions of antisocial neighbours don’t blight the lives of others. If a direct and reasonable conversation isn’t able to resolve the situation, it could be worth contacting your local council to either arrange mediation or put in place an enforcement order so your neighbours clean up their act.”

Semi-detached properties are a hotbed of bin wars and rubbish disputes (30 per cent), followed by detached (25 per cent) and terraced houses (16 per cent). Those living in purpose-built flats (14 per cent) and flats in converted buildings (six per cent) have fewer rubbish rows.
 

Regional findings

London is the bin war capital of the UK, with over a quarter (27 per cent) of those living in the city having rowed with neighbours over rubbish in the last 12 months. The North East (21 per cent) and Yorkshire (15 per cent) complete the top three. At the other end of the scale is Wales, where just two per cent have argued over rubbish, the South West (four per cent) and West Midlands (five per cent).

Source: Churchill Home Insurance 2018
 

Tips for dealing with neighbourhood disputes²:

• Try to solve the problem informally by having a reasonable conversation with your neighbour
• If your neighbour rents their property, try and speak to the landlord or managing agent
• If raising the issue informally doesn’t work, consider a mediation service (often supplied by your local council)
• If the complaint involves a statutory nuisance, like a build up of rubbish, consider making an official complaint to the local council
• Only contact the police if the neighbour is breaking the law
• Legal action through the courts, but this should be considered a last resort
   

For further information on Churchill Home Insurance please visit https://www.churchill.com/home-insurance
 

ENDS
 

Notes to Editor
 

• ¹Research conducted by Opinium amongst 2,005 UK adults between 24th & 28th August 2018
• ²https://www.gov.uk/how-to-resolve-neighbour-disputes
   

For further information please contact:

Chloe French

PR Manager

Tel: 01651 831 715

Email: chloe.french@directlinegroup.co.uk

Samantha Stewart

Citigate Dewe Rogerson

samantha.stewart@citigatedewerogerson.com

0207 282 2856

Churchill

Founded in 1989, Churchill is now one of the UK's leading providers of general insurance, offering car, home, travel and pet insurance cover over the phone or on-line.

Churchill general insurance policies are underwritten by U K Insurance Limited, Registered office: The Wharf, Neville Street, Leeds LS1 4AZ. Registered in England and Wales No 1179980. U K Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority.  

Churchill and U K Insurance Limited are both part of Direct Line Insurance Group plc.  

Customers can find out more about Churchill products or get a quote by calling 0300 200300 or visiting www.churchill.com