What do you think of people running a full-blown business from home? Many people do it, which is a great way to save on commercial rent. But here is the issue: Would you be irked if your neighbor ran an illegal business from home? What if the business was an environmental hazard?
One woman wore online freaking out, saying, “My neighbour is running a business from home. Can I report him?”
Breaking the Rules
This is the situation OP is in; his neighbor has been running a business that breaks their jurisdiction’s rules, and OP is strongly considering reporting him. He wondered if he would be the ***hole for doing it, so he sought second opinions from the “Am I The ***hole” subreddit.
Booming Business
OP has an 18-year-old neighbor who runs a car detailing business from home and has been doing it for years.
The business started small, with only one car three to four days a week. However, it has grown, and he now services 7-8 cars daily.
He does various services, including steam, seat, external, and engine cleaning.
At first, glance, seeing an 18-year-old running such a successful venture is excellent. But is there more to it?
Environmental Violation
It is obvious that what OP’s neighbor is doing is illegal, but what worries OP more is how the whole business violates environmental protection laws. The neighbor washes the cars on the street and lets the dirty water full of chemicals flow into the main street’s drains.
OP says this is illegal in their jurisdiction, although the authorities often ignore it if it is just your own car.
He adds that car wash businesses must follow stricter rules, including storing wastewater separately and sending it off for treatment before it can be disposed of.
Time To Take Action?
OP has not done anything about the illegal business his neighbor is running, but he plans to act.
Other than the environmental hazard, they are now getting into the drought season, and his neighbor is washing cars all day while paying a residential rate instead of business water rates does not settle well with OP.
Will he be the ***hole if he reports his neighbor to the authorities?
The Masses Weigh In
Many respondents thought OP would not be the ***hole if he reported the neighbor. One of them asked OP to take action not only for the environment but also for the legitimate car detailing businesses in the area.
They said, “If it is going to protect the environment, the community, and other legitimate car detailing businesses in the area, then you know exactly what you must do. NTA.”
Talks Can Solve the Issue
Another section of the commenters thought that OP’s neighbor was in the wrong but still asked OP not to start by reporting him to the police. They asked him to talk to the neighbor first and see if they could settle on reasonable grounds.
They said, “Talk to the neighbor before getting the authorities involved. YWBTA (You will be the ***hole) if you straight up report him.”
Save the Relationship
Reporting the neighbor to the police would obviously brew bad blood between OP and his neighbor. On the other hand, attempting to talk to him may not end well or create animosity between them.
One user suggested a way for OP to communicate with his neighbor without affecting their relationship as neighbors. They said, “I would mail him an anonymous letter from “a concerned neighbor,” explaining that what he is doing is illegal and if he doesn’t cease his operations that you will report him. Because you will still have to live near him, and that won’t be a comfortable situation if he knows you turned him in to authorities. He may even retaliate.”
But He Is Only 18…
A section of commenters thought OP would be the ***hole for reporting the teenager. They argued that he was so young and trying to find his way around things and should be pardoned.
One user said, “…dude. He’s 18. He has initiative and doesn’t bum around. Help him instead of telling on him.”
“But the kid is 18, and I know I was ignorant of what zoning laws apply to me at that age. I’d be willing to give them some grace. Nothing wrong with offering a chance to rectify the situation before taking legal action.” another added.
Let the Big Corporations Lead by Example
Another section agreed that the neighbor was violating the environment, but at a very minute percentage, that it did not matter. They told OP to mind his business because larger companies pollute the environment to massive extents, and nothing is done.
One said, “This kid isn’t making a dent in the environment with his stuff compared to what big corps do. OP is going to get his karma for this. This is why OP is an ***hole.”
Large Companies Pollute a Thousand Times More
And lastly, “OP, companies pollute a thousand times more, and our governments and people look the other way. Why can’t you do the same for a kid who is your neighbor? YTA if you report him. Talk to him. But not to threaten to report him, just talk to him.”
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This article was produced and syndicated by A Dime Saved.
