Homeowner maliciously complies with HOA rules: 'I set an alarm for 6:55 AM'

Author image for Remy Millisky
Remy Millisky • Writer and Editor
Mar 4, 2026 5:00 PM EST

Why was this HOA so preoccupied with when their residents put their bins outside? 

This type of rule is baffling, truly. You know the one — it states that you should put your trash bins out on the morning of the actual trash collection day. So if yours gets picked up on Monday morning, you should be putting it out on Monday morning, not Sunday night. 

You're probably thinking, "Who cares if I put my waste receptacles outside before I go to bed on Sunday night? I don't want to wake up at like 4 AM to put the trash out before the sanitation workers arrive!" And my friend, that is a great point. Who does care? What kind of Karen-esque busybody would ever mind if their neighbor put trash cans out at night time? Well, let's find out together… 

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  • HOA member crosses arms while standing in front of house.
    via Andrej Lišakov

    HOA member crosses arms while standing in front of house.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

  • The thing is, even though that silly rule insists you put your trash out at like 6 AM, a lot of sanitation workers start way earlier than that. Not sure exactly what time they start up at, since most of us are soundly snoozing at that time of night, but safe to say it's sometime around 3 or 4. That makes sense, too. They can work without cars or people getting in their way, and they won't be in the sun if it's a hot day. It really depends on your township if your sanitation workers show up at 4 AM or 9 AM. They'll get to your house when they get there! 

     

  • HOA said bins had to be out by 7 AM exactly

    HOA sent an email reminding everyone that trash bins must be placed out no earlier and no later than 7am on pickup day. They bolded it.
    via mistyform
  • Someone clearly complained. I usually put mine out the night before like everyone else, but ok.
    via mistyform

  • Petty, petty, petty!

    So I set an alarm for 6:55am. Took the bin out at 7 on the dot. Same the next week. Same the week after.
    via mistyform
  • Problem is the truck comes anywhere between 6:30 and 7. A few of us missed pickup because we were following the rule.
    via mistyform

  • And here's the malicious compliance!

    Bins stayed full all week. Smelled great in the heat.
    via mistyform

    What an eyesore — and nosesore — that must've been! A true assault on the senses. HOA would not be pleased by that, but what could they do? This person followed the rules to a T. 

  • Real, concrete change was made!

    Next HOA email says bins can be placed out "the night before or early morning".
    via mistyform

  • A small but powerful victory!

    Alarm is off now. Bin's back out the night before like always.
    via mistyform
  • blackandwhitefield Usually the township or whoever collects the trash posts times that trash should be curbed by. Would respond with that.
    via mistyform

  • This is exactly right

    StuckInTheUpsid... This is actually my litmus test for whether someone has an appropriate temperament to be on the HOA Board. "When should trash cans be placed by the curb?" Any response other than "Dunno, night before I guess" is immediately disqualifying.
    via mistyform

    Clearly, this person has worked with some HOA crazies over the years. HOAs have a real knack for putting the worst neighbors ever in charge of running things. I suppose they just pick people who have a lot of time on their hands to volunteer for a job like that. There are plenty of good uses for an HOA, and this fight just isn't one of them. 

  • I don't know what it is with HOA Karens, but OMG they have many passionate opinions about trash cans. We all have them!
    via mistyform
  • White home with red door and large lawn covered in leaves.
    via Scott Webb

    White home with red door and large lawn covered in leaves.

    The image does not depict the actual subjects of the story. Subjects are models.

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