OT-City of AA rental/trash laws
First off I'm sorry for posting something OT during the football season, especially so close to game day but I do have a problem that needs to be resolved. The management company that bought our complex last month just left a note saying that if we don't put our trash and recycling bins in our garage 12 hours after they pick the trash up and keep them in there until the night before trash gets picked up or they will fine us $25 every occurrence. I don't want to do that because even if I try and use the garbage disposal for as much food waste as possible, which I do, there is still going to be some that ends up in the trash. Our garage has no air circulation, only 1 small window, and in the summer months it stinks if we try and keep the trash in there. We also use our garage, i keep a weight bench in there and the gf has a bowflex in there. We are not he only residents of our complex to keep our trash bins by the side of out apartments and town homes, I think roughly 80% of all tenants do the same. I looked over our lease and it doesnt say anything about us having to keep our trash in the garage but under the rules of the premesis it does say the management has the right to change the rules as they see fit. Should I try and fight this? I e-mailed the city and asked if this was legal and what department I should inquire with thinking maybe there was a city ordinance against this. Also, I know that some of you will say that the management company knows what the laws are, but when they bought the property last month they put a note on everybody's door stating that between the 6th and the 20th of this month they will be doing inspections and that the note was a sufficient notice of entry, so obviously they either do not know the rental laws or city laws or they don't care about them. Thanks for any input.
September 16th, 2011 at 8:16 PM ^
Whereabouts is the complex? The rules are a little different in the "downtown district" as defined by city code as opposed to other parts of the city.
ADDEDUM: http://library.municode.com/index.aspx?clientId=11782&stateId=22&stateName=Michigan - solid waste management code in Ann Arbor
September 16th, 2011 at 8:17 PM ^
the corner of AA saline and eisenhower
September 17th, 2011 at 10:34 AM ^
If so, hopefully the new management will clean up the place. They seem to have a lot of problems over there.
September 16th, 2011 at 8:29 PM ^
There's nothing that I know of in the rental laws which allows them to do this. As far as I am aware, the only thing they are required by law to do is educate renters on the location of recycling centers either within the complex or within the city. Unless it is a condominium and you are part of an association, then there is nothing that I can think of which allows them to do this.
September 16th, 2011 at 8:33 PM ^
As long as the trash bins aren't in the front yard, you are fine. Side of driveway level with the house, you are fine. Backyard, you are fine. Side of house, you are fine. I can't imagine the management company is going to fine you on this unless the City fines them.
September 17th, 2011 at 8:32 AM ^
Even if it isn't a city ordinance, putting away your garbage cans is the neighborly thing to do. I'm guessing the complex management is just trying to make the place look a little nicer. Rather than fighting it maybe you should try adjusting your habits so you can put the bin in the garage. The garbage disposal should take care of most of it but if you have to throw food waste away put it in a plastic grocery bag and tie it up before putting it in the garbage.
September 17th, 2011 at 8:46 AM ^
the bins the city uses arent an eye sore, in fact they are the best looking garbage bins i have ever seen that are provided by the city. sorry but function over form is what im going with here, i dont care how it looks when the smell negatively effects me, plus i stated above that i use the garbage disposal as much as possibel but orange peels, banana peels, apple rinds, meat bones, these things can't go down a garbage disposal
September 17th, 2011 at 9:30 AM ^
It's a weird request. I'm a homeowner, on a street with a lot of other houses, and as far as I can see everyone keeps their bins on the side or near their back door.
I'd ask if they had a provision for people who use their garage. The city won't ticket for bins back against the side of the house. I think they are just concerned about people slacking and they want a really specific thing that can't be argued.
September 17th, 2011 at 10:31 AM ^
Funny, on my street in Ann Arbor, I'd say that's the exception. Everyone has neat backyards, and has the bins in the garage. Unless it's 95, or you aren't taking the garbage out for weeks, (or have diapers), it sounded smell that much in a week. Even more so recycling. Keeps the raccoons and such from getting into it too.