I remember my first experience with HOA trash can rules like it was yesterday… My wife and I were living in our first community with a Home Owners Association. She was out of town visiting her parents. And I was helping a friend of mine move out of his apartment into his first home in Georgia, so I would be away for a couple days as well.
The following day was trash pickup so like any of us I dragged my trash can out to the curb (making sure it was the mandated 3ft away from my mailbox of course), and headed out.
I returned the day after trash day around 11 a.m. to find the bright blue violation stuck to my trash can and a letter in my mailbox notifying me that I had violated the HOA trash can rules. I was livid. “Who do they think they are?!” “This is ridiculous!” Those thoughts and few I won’t mention ran through my head as I paced my lawn and finally dragged my can back to the garage.
My can was out for less than 24hrs. Was this “shame notice” attached to my can necessary? Is it really that big of a deal?
Yes it was. I have since lived in a few different communities and I’d like to think I’ve grown wiser over time. While these rules can sometimes seem petty, they are for the good of the community. Here’s few reasons why:
It’s not a good look … or smell
If we chronically leave our cans out where people can see them, it can damage curb appeal. Let’s face it. Those big, bulky cans aren’t so easy on the eyes. Especially when they are a beautiful “muddy brown” or “lawn trimmings green” color.
The foul smell can also be bothersome to our neighbors on the sidewalks walking their dogs or taking an after-dinner stroll with their spouse. HOA trash can rules help us to be great neighbors and keep that clean look that attracted us to our communities in the first place.
There are pesky critters among us… and they’re hungry!
It doesn’t matter where you live. There are animals out there that see your leftovers as a King’s feast! Cans left curbside or stowed in driveways are magnets for possums, raccoons, skunks and other unwanted guests looking for their next meal.
Keeping cans behind your yard fence or in your garage can deter these pests from rummaging through your trash and making a mess on your property.
HOA trash can rules protect your personal information
Identity theft affects millions of Americans everyday. Your trash can is a big target for thieves trying get your personal info and access your credit. Sure, maybe you have the latest model of the Shredmaster 500 to destroy your documents, but something always slips through the cracks. Your 20 pre-approved credit offers in your mailbox this month may have made their way to the trash can.
Thieves can’t steal what they can’t see. Most HOA trash can rules state that you must stow your cans out of sight. This plays a big role in protecting homeowners from identity theft predators.
But smelly cans can be a nuisance when stored in the garage or backyard…
Sure, we know the rules… but we also don’t want our smelly cans ruining our weekend BBQ. Or being greeted by the smell of trash in the garage every morning when you head out to work.
We can help with that! Let us do the dirty work and keep your cans fresh.
Check out our process video and watch How Clean Cans works.