Neighbor keeps dumping trash at my rehab property. I caught it on camera. What’s the smartest practical way to handle this?
I own a property that we are currently rehabbing. For a while now, a neighbor has been repeatedly dumping trash on or around the property and messing up the dumpster/area. It has been creating extra cleanup work, added cost, and it makes the property look abandoned even though we are actively working on it.
Because it kept happening, I decided to track it down. I checked/installed cameras and now I have recordings showing the neighbor doing it. Based on what I found, this does not seem like a one-time mistake. It looks repeated and intentional.
I have not confronted them yet because I want to handle it carefully and avoid unnecessary drama. The behavior seems unpredictable, so I would rather take a calm, practical approach instead of creating a direct conflict.
I’m looking for practical advice from people who have dealt with this kind of situation before.
What would you recommend as the best next step?
Should I start with a written notice, clearer signs, locking/moving the dumpster, contacting the trash company, or reporting it to the city/code enforcement?
I’m mainly trying to stop the dumping without escalating things more than necessary, but I also don’t want to keep paying for someone else’s trash and cleanup.