Weekly trash pickup by the city

Weekly trash pickup by the city

Rental Property Investor · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2016 · 543 posts · 716 votes

I have a house in an area where trash gets picked up by the city once a week (mid-week). Should I rely on guests to wheel the garbage cans out to the curb every Tues night before trash pickup and wheel the cans back into the garage every Wed after trash pickup? Or should I pay a neighbor to come to the house each week and handle it for me?

Either way I go though, regardless, since trash pickup occurs on Wednesdays, that means that if new guests check-in over the weekend, the house will still have the prior guests' trash in the garage trash cans (note: there won't be any of the prior guests' trash INSIDE the house - only in the garage trash cans). Do you think this will be an issue?

Would you be bothered if you rented a house and there were trash bags inside some of the garage trash cans already? Or would you accept that, since you're renting someone else's house, it's perfectly natural that the family who owns the house (or prior guests) may have trash left behind in the garage trash cans until this week's trash pickup occurs?

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John UnderwoodPro Member
Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
6y

I'd have the cleaners or a neighbor take care of getting the cans to from the street. Don't assign work to your paying guests.

Just let them know when trash day is in your house manual so they shouldn't be surprised to see trash bags in the can prior to trash day.

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  • John UnderwoodPro Member
    Investor · Greer, SC · Member since 2014 · 13k+ posts · 17k+ votes
    6y

    I'd have the cleaners or a neighbor take care of getting the cans to from the street. Don't assign work to your paying guests.

    Just let them know when trash day is in your house manual so they shouldn't be surprised to see trash bags in the can prior to trash day.

  • Investor · The worst town to live in, KS · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    6y

    What he ^^^ said.  I normally take the dumpster to the curb on the appropriate day.  I have collections ons Wed, Th and Fri.  If I relied on my tenants to take the trash dumpster to the curb, it wouldn't happen.  If it did happen, they'd probably face the dumpster the wrong way and it won't get picked up.

    If I didn't take the dumpster to the curb, the trash would pile up and overflow the dumpster.  Then stray dogs and cats would get in it and make a mess.  The inconvenience of the mess I would have to clean up is greater than the inconvenience of taking the trash dumpster to the curb.  Occasionally, rent day falls on the dumpster day.  So I'd be going to the house to collect rent anyway.  Might as well take the dumpster to the curb while I'm there.

  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    6y



    I feel it's unprofessional to leave trash behind for the next guest. We managed some rentals that were remote cabins with no trash service available. In those cases, we would pay the cleaners to haul the trash into town and dispose of it at our office. 

    We provide garbage bags and stress to the tenants that they must bag all garbage so we can haul it down. We also line the large can with a contractor bag in case the tenant fails to bag their trash or a bag breaks. If the tenant fails to follow instructions and creates a mess for the cleaner, we would charge handsomely for the trouble.

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  • Michael BaumPro Member
    Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
    6y

    Hey @Mark Miles. I do ask our guests to put out the trash they generate on our weekly trash pickup. Everyone has been great about it. 

    If it is after trash day, my cleaner takes it to the dump area. We are pretty rural so there are 4 dumpsters just down the road to provide trash drop off for those who don’t have pickup.

    I try and keep a good line of communication. Make sure guests understand that I really do care they have a great time so they are happy to put it out and bring them back.

  • Luke CarlPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Tennessee Florida · Member since 2016 · 4k+ posts · 5k+ votes
    6y

    @Mark Miles I would forget about the trash man altogether. The cleaner should take the trash after every turn regardless of what day it is. I don’t think the neighbors will like you much if you’re in an area that isn’t full of STRs so that idea is probably out.

    My market does not have trash pick up available. We are nothing but STR. The housekeepers are the trashpeople. Even if someone started up a trash service no one would have any reason to subscribe it just wouldn't work for the system.

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