Topic: Do any of you use valet trash service??

Do any of you use valet trash service??
We are a small property in Indiana. Not sure how my tenants would respond because of the extra charge. Our property trash service has been going up substantially each month due to the trash company started charging us a gas surcharge that will average around between $154/month

Are you charging residents anything for trash right now?

No right now they pay nothing. At renewal time and new move ins they won’t have a choice but I will give current tenants the option to opt in mid-lease.

A couple things to consider… Valet trash requires paying someone to pick up the trash, thus more trash expense. I have valet trash at one community and residents like it. We make a slim profit after labor and dumpster fees. Alternatively, adding a monthly charge for trash at lease renewal and to new leases has no additional costs to you. It’s a very common charge here in Texas and allows us to break even on the dumpster/fuel charges.

I should have said it won’t be a company. My thoughts are to utilize my maintenance staff and set up weekly evening pick up schedule.

A lot of companies just put the trash in your dumpsters. They don’t take it away for you. So you may need to specify what you want.

I had good experience with them in NC but here is ny it was horrible. They'd skip apartments or not come at all

They use your trash dumpsters usually if it is doorstop. But our residents liked the service when I was onsite here in VA. I’ve had a set up where they did curbside trash for residents- not door step and for that they took the trash off site.

Valet Trash is a nightmare. Lucky if they show up.

Yeah, in Florida they can’t take the trash off the property so you would be paying that dumpster fee anyway but we make good money on the valet trash so it may help offset the cost.

I’m thinking of having our maintenance staff set up schedule 2 times a week every other day. So I know it will get done correctly by onsite staff. No contracts just payroll hours

This is how I do mine. It’s picked up Monday through Friday from a receptacle outside the front door. It’s just part of daily maintenance/groundskeeping.

I hope I never have to work anywhere with valet service again. They all start off pretty good but after a few months offer up terrible service and tend to frequently miss many apartments causing staff to deal with way more complaints.

If your apartments have carpeted interior hallways, you have to start watching for residents who leave out dripping garbage that stains and seeps smells into the floor. Also people who permanently leave their trash can outside the door. And of course the people who don't seem to understand a pick up schedule and just have piles of smelly trash in the hall for days at a time.
Some love it, some abuse it and make it terrible for everyone. Might cause more problems than it solves.

In my opinion, with costs going up on rents, you’re going to face a lot of backlash. Residents are going to have a line that’s crossed and they’re going to revolt. It just seems like they’re starting to be nickel and dimed and it’s getting out of hand. If your trash bill keeps going up, either push back on the trash company, or search for a new company.

Don’t do it. It’s a constant staffing issues with inconsistent pick up times. I manage 631 units with pick up 5 days a week and it is a constant headache. The old saying … if it ain’t broke. I’m sure your maintenance have more important things to do like turns, work orders, preventative maintenance.

it really comes down to the partnership the onsite team builds with their supplier and the communication between the two. It is not a plug and play leaving it all up to the supplier , the onsite team has to manage it and be proficient in holding the residents accountable.
It is a income driver and adds value to your asset.