Valet Trash Frequently Asked Questions
Exploring valet trash service for your property? Have a question about the service but not sure who to ask? We connected with some of the industry’s top providers to build our valet trash frequently asked questions list.
- How Does Valet Trash Increase Net Operating Income? (See Answer)
- Do residents need to provide their own trash cans and bags? (See Answer)
- How often and when is trash collected from residents? (See Answer)
- What items do trash valets collect from residents? (See Answer)
- Who collects the trash once residents put it outside? (See Answer)
- Can residents opt out of valet trash service? (See Answer)
- Who pays for the valet trash service? (See Answer)
- Do residents like having a valet trash service? (See Answer)
- What are the normal monthly fees for valet trash services? (See Answer)
- Do valet trash companies provide recycling services? (See Answer)
Valet Trash Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Valet Trash Increase Net Operating Income?
First and foremost, valet trash increases net operating income by monetizing a property’s trash collect. Property managers pay the valet trash company a fixed price per unit. Next they charge residents a higher fee for valet trash service. This creates direct free cash flow that increases a property’s net operating income.
Additionally, valet trash can increase net operating by reducing property maintenance costs and helping lease more units. For even more ways valet trash helps increase net operating income, click here.
Do residents need to provide their own trash cans and bags?
Every valet trash service provides trash cans for each unit. Most will also supply recycling containers. Charges for trash cans and recycling containers are on a vendor by vendor basis. Normally there is no charge for trash cans.
While every vendor supplies trash cans, very few supply trash bags. In most cases, residents continue using normal kitchen trash bags because there is no need for special bags. Residents can also use plastic grocery bags to put trash in their collected can.
How often and when is trash collected from residents?
While this can vary slightly by vendor, the industry standards for trash collection are between 6pm and 8pm Sunday through Thursday. Many vendors are willing to modify these times for select properties. This could mean a longer collection window or even weekend collections. For example, some companies will do special Saturday collections for student housing due to football tailgates producing excess garbage. Typically these details are covered by a property’s valet trash contract. (This post covers valet trash contracts in detail)
What items do trash valets collect from residents?
Trash valets (the people collecting the trash) will only take what is placed inside the valet trash can. They do not take excess bags of trash from the hallway. Additionally, they do not collect bulk trash or haul away junk like old furniture, appliances, or televisions.
While this creates occasional issues, many valet trash companies also offer bulk trash and junk removal services. These services can be paid for directly by residents on an as needed basis, or the property can pay for the costs and do big collections a few times per year.
Who actually collects the trash once residents put it outside?
“Trash valet” is the industry name for the professional employees who visit properties and collect trash each evening. Leading valet trash companies will have clean cut uniformed employees who treat properties and residents with respect. Once they collect the trash, valets place either place it in community dumpsters or take it with them to be disposed of elsewhere.
It is not uncommon for larger properties to be serviced by multiple valets at the same time. The same valets who collect the trash typically also collect recycling at the same time.
Can residents opt out of valet trash service?
Valet trash is an all or nothing proposition for properties. When property managers sign a valet trash contract, it covers every unit at the property. As a result, individual residents cannot cancel their valet trash service because it is normally included in their lease or rental agreement. Additionally, many properties with valet trash service restrict resident dumpster access.
Similarly, individual residents cannot hire a valet trash service for just their unit, because the economics do not make sense for vendors.
Who pays for the valet trash service?
There are two payments involved with valet trash. First, the property manager pays the valet trash company for the service. Next, residents pay the property for valet trash service as part of their lease, rental agreement, or as an additional trash fee. Individual residents are never responsible for paying the valet trash company directly.
Beyond the monthly charges for trash collection, residents sometimes have to pay for additional items. This can include trash cans and recycling containers. This is especially true for residents who lose or damage trash cans because valet trash companies always charge for replacement cans.
Do residents like having a valet trash service?
According to Multi-Housing, valet trash remains a desirable amenity that is attractive to many renters. The most push back on the service comes at properties introducing the service for the first time. This is mainly because it creates an additional monthly fee for residents.
While valet trash is well received by and large, there are properties where it is extremely popular. First and foremost, residents of garden style walk ups really tend to like the service because it can eliminate going up and down three flights of stairs to take out the trash. Residents of senior housing and assisted living facilities are also big fans of valet trash. Again, this is because it eliminates trips to the dumpster for residents with mobility issues.
What are the normal monthly fees for valet trash services?
The monthly fee for valet trash services generally runs between $8 and $12 per unit. This is the fee paid by the property management company. It is important to remember that the charge is based on every unit. A 200 unit property would pay between $1,600 and $2,400 per month.
Then there is the monthly valet trash fee paid by residents. This fee is at the management companies discretion. Normally property managers charge anywhere from $20 to $35 per month. The spread on monthly fees is how valet trash increases net operating income for apartments.
Do valet trash companies provide recycling options?
Yes, valet trash companies provide recycling options. In almost every scenario, valet recycling services operate identically to trash services. Recyclables are placed in designated cans and collected during the normal trash collection windows.
It is very important to share with residents which type of materials can be recycled. Depending on your valet trash company, they will offer single stream or multi-stream recycling. Multi-stream recycling is more convenient because it does not require the separation of recyclables by material, but typically accepts fewer items. Single stream recycling requires separating items by material type, such as paper, plastic, and aluminum.
Free Valet Trash Quote For Your Property
Interested in a valet trash quote for your multifamily property? Let the BidSource team locate a qualified valet trash company to provide you with a free quote! Just tell us about your property and our team does the rest.
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