6 Tips to Solve Waste Management Issues in Your Rental
Challenges are inevitable when you own or manage a rental property.
One such challenge that landlords often struggle with is waste management. For instance, tenants letting trash pile up can cause you a ton of headaches. For one, it’s a health concern, with the possibility of attracting vermin. And on top of that, improper waste disposal can lead to incurring fines from the local government – which YOU have to deal with.
However, this can all be avoided with the proper planning. In this article, we’ll discuss six smart waste management tips to help landlords turn trash troubles into eco-friendly victories.
Tip 1: Know the Laws
Michigan laws are pretty strict regarding waste disposal. Violating them could result in hefty fines, so you must stay on top of them.
Fortunately, Detroit’s Public Works Department has helpful and transparent guidelines regarding waste disposal. It’s easy to find your waste collection schedule from their detailed collection map.
Another boon from the Public Works Department is its efforts to support recycling. The local government instituted a free recycling system that provides complementary curbside recyclable pickups. Additionally, the Public Works Department makes requesting free recycle bins from its website easy.
Fortunately, most tenants support recycling efforts. 94% of Americans do. So, supporting recycling is like killing two birds with one stone. For one, it can alleviate waste management issues. In addition, a rental property with a ready-made recycling process can attract prospective tenants.
Tip 2: Leverage Your Lease
To protect yourself against fines from the local government, include waste disposal provisions within the tenant lease. State that tenants must take care of all waste disposal and keep the property clean and orderly. Otherwise, they face eviction.
For example, you can format a waste disposal clause in your lease like so:
“Disposal of waste by Tenant. To dispose of all swill debris and waste materials of whatever nature (including, but not limited to, noxious industrial waste, packaging materials and trade waste) in a manner prescribed by the Landlord and in accordance with the requirements of the relevant authorities failing which the Landlord reserves the right (without under any obligation to do so) to dispose of the same as aforesaid and all costs and expenses incurred by the Landlord in this respect (including but not limited to the costs of treating any waste materials before disposal) shall be paid by the Tenant to the Landlord within fourteen (14) days of the Landlord notifying the Tenant of the amount thereof Provided Always that in the event that the Tenant is unable or unwilling to comply with the manner of swill debris and/or waste removal prescribed by the Landlord, the Tenant shall engage the services of a cleaning contractor appointed by the Landlord (as a third party contractor and not an employee or agent) to be responsible for the swill/debris/waste disposal on the following terms and conditions:”
Template courtesy of Law Insider.
Tip 3: Seasonal Shifts
Be prepared for seasonal waste management challenges. During holidays, waste generation tends to increase. Schedule timely waste pickups to keep trash manageable during festive seasons. Ensure your trash containers can withstand unpredictable weather conditions, such as wind, rain, and snow, during winter.
Tip 4: Big Trash, No Problem
Occasionally, tenants may improperly dispose of large items like old mattresses and furniture. Create a system for handling these large items.
Encourage tenants to inform you when they have such items to dispose of and consider adding extra team members or third-party services to address these issues promptly.
Tip 5: If They Don’t Commit, Evict
If your tenants still refuse to adhere to the waste disposal agreement stated in their lease, warn them that if they continue to muck up your property with improper waste disposal, you’ll have no choice but to evict them.
If they still don’t comply, send an eviction notice, start the procedure, and look for new occupants.
Waste Management, A Landlord’s Secret Weapon
Waste management doesn’t have to be a hassle for landlords. Applying these five smart waste management tips can reduce waste-related costs and create a cleaner, more eco-friendly living environment for your tenants.
Remember, being a landlord involves more than just collecting rent—it’s about nurturing a home that cares for both your tenants and the planet.
Reach out to us if you need more waste management hacks. Together, we can build the rental property of your dreams.