Skip to content
×
Pro Members Get
Full Access!
Get off the sidelines and take action in real estate investing with BiggerPockets Pro. Our comprehensive suite of tools and resources minimize mistakes, support informed decisions, and propel you to success.
Advanced networking features
Market and Deal Finder tools
Property analysis calculators
Landlord Command Center
ANNUAL Save 16%
$32.50 /mo
$390 billed annualy
MONTHLY
$39 /mo
billed monthly
7 day free trial. Cancel anytime

Let's keep in touch

Subscribe to our newsletter for timely insights and actionable tips on your real estate journey.

By signing up, you indicate that you agree to the BiggerPockets Terms & Conditions
Followed Discussions Followed Categories Followed People Followed Locations
General Landlording & Rental Properties
All Forum Categories
Followed Discussions
Followed Categories
Followed People
Followed Locations
Market News & Data
General Info
Real Estate Strategies
Landlording & Rental Properties
Real Estate Professionals
Financial, Tax, & Legal
Real Estate Classifieds
Reviews & Feedback

Updated over 6 years ago on . Most recent reply

User Stats

1,632
Posts
875
Votes
Johann Jells
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Jersey City, NJ
875
Votes |
1,632
Posts

Should I provide tenants of MF with blue recycling bags?

Johann Jells
  • Rental Property Investor
  • Jersey City, NJ
Posted

My city can be a real PITA about trash, I've gotten several $200 tickets, some of which wasn't even due to residents. They want recyclables in clear or clear blue bags. I bought a roll for one of my buildings as a courtesy to show them what the right product was, and my tenant who takes out the trash said other tenants were using the bags for the household trash! Not good deed goes unpunished. 

So now. I wasn't really planning on continuing to provide these bags for a 4 family, but I could. But not if they misuse them. But a ticket costs a LOT of bags, and the judge is not very sympathetic to landlords.  This being NJ I don't really have a lot of leverage over the tenants either other than threatening them with a 10% rent hike, no NJ judge would allow eviction over stupid crap like this, or even unpaid penalties I might impose.

Do I just suck it up?

Most Popular Reply

User Stats

28,238
Posts
41,447
Votes
Nathan Gesner
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
41,447
Votes |
28,238
Posts
Nathan Gesner
  • Real Estate Broker
  • Cody, WY
ModeratorReplied

No. Tenants are responsible for utilities, which includes trash and recycling. Make it clear: if the fail to abide by the law and a fine is issued, you will pass that fine on to them. 

If this is an on-going issue, you may want to install a security camera to monitor who is causing the problem.

  • Nathan Gesner
business profile image
The DIY Landlord Book
4.7 stars
191 Reviews

Loading replies...