What to do about trash service?

[Stephanie Medina]

I am currently converting my LTR in Houston to a STR. I am trying to figure out a solution to my trash situation. It's a townhome in a small gated community of 7 other townhomes. Each thursday, you have to wheel trash to the curb and outside of the gate, then bring it back. My property is at the end. There is another STR owner in this community I've talked to, and he's been doing it for 1-2 years and he said it's still been a real pain to deal with. Depending on the time of the week, he will ask the maid to do it and it's sitting out there a few days. He'll also ask the guests, and that is very unreliable as you can imagine. His property is right at the gate too!

I have already reached out to several valet trash services that service multi-family residences in hopes they would also serve a single family home, so waiting to hear back about that.  

I also thought of paying a neighbor kid but that sounds like a stressful situation to rely on neighbors I don't really know well.  Maybe I could post on nextdoor for neighbors that don't live on the same street, I'd feel better about that.

Any other ideas?

[Michael Baum]

Hey @Stephanie Medina, this comes up fairly regularly and is really an individual situation. Luckily you are in a better position than a lot of folks.

I like the idea of paying a neighbor kid. It gives them a bit of cash, some responsibility with little effort. I would introduce yourself to the parents (really all of the neighbors, it is a good thing).

The parents will help keep the kid on the straight and narrow plus it helps show that you are a responsible STR owner working within the community.

The other thing you could do pay your cleaner to come by on trash day, take it out then back in.