Part 3 of our HOA Compliance Series. See part 2, Catching Common HOA Violations here.
Let’s be honest, trash stinks. And while it is perfectly normal to see garbage bins lining the street on trash day, no one likes to look at overflowing bins every day. Most homeowners are responsible about pulling their bins in after the trash is picked up, but there are always a few who believe their driveway (or even the curb!) is the best place to store them.
Even though all HOAs handle the issue differently, it is common to see restrictions on where bins can be stored and when they can be put out for pick up. Here are three reasons your HOA and homeowners should care about trash bin storage:
- Trashy looking (pun intended) – People who chronically leave their bins out in driveways or where people can see them can damage curb appeal. If or when trash starts to pile up in someone’s yard, whether it’s in an overflowing bin or scattered around the bins, it’s time to remind homeowners of your HOA’s garbage can policy.
- Identity theft –It is important to remember that your trash may contain information from bank statements and other very personal information that someone could take and use to steal your identity. While this may seem unlikely to you or your homeowners, it happens more often than you think. Storing garbage bins in the garage or behind fences is one of the simplest ways to prevent identity theft. If they can’t see or get to your garbage or recycling bins, they can’t steal information from them.
- Hungry critters – Regardless if your community is rural or in suburbia, there are always hungry animals who view garbage cans as a great food source. Garbage cans left in driveways are a more likely target for loose dogs and raccoons. Placing bins inside garages and even behind fences can slow down rummaging animals.
If your community struggles with homeowners leaving bins out, send a general reminder about your community’s policies and provide them the above reasons to support your policy. While many view rules about garbage cans as petty, most will change their tune they when understand that the HOA isn’t trying to micromanage them so much as protect them and their property value. Lastly, continue to enforce your trash can policy for those who in spite of the reminders, continue to leave their cans out. This type of collaborative community management is a great way to keep your neighborhood looking fresh and your homeowners happy!
For more tips on community management visit our HOA Management Blog where you’ll find fresh new insight every week!
