When driving through a neighborhood for the first time, leftover trash bins can leave a bad first impression. While most homeowners are responsible and bring their trash bins back to where they are stored, some believe that the trash bin should live on the curb!
Most homeowners associations (HOAs) have rules within their governing documents regarding when trash bins should be brought back in and where they should be stored. Homeowners may view these rules as a nuisance, yet they are extremely valuable for several reasons.
Curb Appeal
The look of trash bins is unsightly. The purpose of HOAs is to preserve home values, and curb appeal is a significant factor. If someone is leaving their bins out for extended periods of time or trash is not properly contained, this is an issue the HOA needs to address.
Privacy & Theft
It is common to throw away paper with valuable information on it – bank statements, credit card information, etc. – so storing your bin farther on to your property prevents unwanted snooping. Even with gates and security systems, small crimes can occur, so it is best to prevent them before they are even a thought.
Animals
Properly stored garbage cans deter wild animals from scavenging. Putting trashcans away can prevent raccoons and stray dogs from entering the neighborhood to scavenge for food thrown-out food. This can reduce the number of stray animals in your community and keep them from ingesting anything harmful that has been thrown away.
As you can see, managing trash can compliance is extremely important for an HOA community. If your HOA community struggles with timely trash bin storage, remind residents what the rules are and why they exist. Alternatively, you can work with an HOA management company to enforce the rules of your homeowner association and ensure trash can compliance. With open communication and understanding, homeowners are more likely to comply. These rules are in place to keep the community safe and protect property values, which in turn keeps the neighborhood looking fresh!
