'Nasty neighbours swapped our bin for theirs and I was horrified by what was inside'

Many people value being on good terms with their neighbours. You should maintain a cordial relationship with them so that if you ever need to turn to them for help, you can. But what would you do if the people next door stole something important from you?

That's exactly what happened to one horrified family. They were left fuming when they went outside after their waste had been collected, only to find that their neighbours had stolen their bin. Not only that, but the people next door had left their own grotty bin behind having pinched a nice, clean one, meaning they didn't have to wash their own.

Posting on TikTok, @indians_in_brisbane_, who are based in Australia, asked people what they would do in this situation.

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Over the top of a clip of a bin, they wrote: "Our bins are always stacked together with the neighbours.

"Their bin didn't get emptied, and now they've taken ours without asking. Pretty sure the one left behind isn't ours. What should we do?"

But it wasn't just a bit of dirt and grime they left behind. When the person filming the video lifted up the bin lid, they were grossed out by what they found.

As they tentatively opened it, hundreds of flies flew out, meaning the bin had likely not been cleaned properly in quite some time.

They likely didn't want an awkward confrontation over the bins, however, so they were left confused about how to approach the situation.

In the comments, people urged them to "go and get your bin back".

Someone wrote: "Go get a sticker. Go to your neighbour's place and say you think they accidentally took your bin. Ask if you can check. Have the sticker in your hand, and when you get to it, discreetly put it on it. Say, 'Yep, it's mine,' and point to your sticker."

Others questioned why they hadn't already "painted your house number" on the bin, saying that this was "pretty standard" so you can identify whose bin is whose.

It would also serve as a deterrent to cheeky neighbours who may feel entitled to take your bin.

Some said that you can get a free bin if you ring the council, explaining: "My neighbours took our bin, I just ordered a new one, it’s a straightforward process. Just get a new one. It's free and they drop it off pretty quick."

"I had the same issue, neighbours putting bins out too late, then taking mine coz theirs didn't get emptied. I put our house number on ours, and they kept doing it, so I dumped their rubbish in front of their garage," one man penned.

If you have flies in your bin, the best thing to do isn't to try and switch with your neighbour. Instead, start by removing the item that has attracted them.

Take out any food waste or decomposing material and clean the bin thoroughly with hot, soapy water. Make sure the bin is completely dry before putting it back in use.

You can also sprinkle baking soda at the bottom of the bin to absorb moisture and odours that attract flies. Keep the lid tightly closed and avoid leaving food scraps exposed.

If possible, wrap food waste in compostable bags before disposing of it. Regularly empty your bin and rinse it out to prevent future infestations. If the problem persists, consider moving your bin to a cooler, shaded area, as heat can accelerate decomposition and attract more flies.

What would you do in this situation? Let us know in the comments...