Removel of trash cans

I didn't think it would be an issue but do we really need to send notice out to the community warning them first before we have them removed? Kind of ridiculous. 330 homes and we have about 5 trash cans to be removed and it will cost over $300 in letters alone along with the cost of removal. Trash cans in common area should be fair game.

Are these large dumpsters that people dump their household trash in? I need more info before I can comment.

Do you know who owns these trash cans? If so, send a letter to those people and tell them if this happens again, the cans will be disposed of and they will be billed that expense. When you see them, take a time and date stamped photo of the cans and send that along with the letter - let those homeowners explain why the cans were in the wrong place at the wrong time.

Otherwise, post something in your newsletter and website, if you have one, reminding everyone of the rule. From that point on, any trash cans left in the common area will be disposed of, period, without any warning. Once people have to pay to replace them a few times, they'll get the message. I would think this approach would be a lot cheaper than sending $300 in letters to everyone. If necessary, build the cost in the budget and adjust assessments accordingly, explaining to everyone why they're being increased because they (and/or the neighbors) will not act right.

Well, it IS a courteous thing to do - let people know what the rules are and the consequences for breaking them. Sometimes people really don't know, others don't care and sometimes advance notice helps you determine who's who.

In your case, if no one know who the other cans belong to, the association is well within its rights to get rid of them. Again, I don't think you need to spend $300 to inform everyone - put something in your newsletter and website. If people are incapable of reading, that's on them. To quote my mother - the best way to keep some people uninformed is to write it down and hand it to them - they'll never read it. On the other hand, it can protect the association - let the homeowner explain why he/she didn't read it or ask someone.....