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Our HOA community garden closes Nov 15 and nobody uses the porta potty till March. Pause service or have it hauled off?

Rina K.asked 0 viewsHome Renovations & Long-termStandard unitLong term rentalService frequencyWinterization

The HOA board put me in charge of the garden plots again, which mostly means I'm the one who calls about the standard unit by the tool shed. It's been on a long term rental since April with weekly service, and the gardeners use it a lot on weekends.

Our last workday is November 15. After that the gate gets chained and basically nobody comes back until the first week of March. A couple of board members want to leave it sitting there with service stopped so we don't have to deal with pickup and redelivery in spring. Others think it'll crack or get gross sitting all winter.

We get real snow here and a few weeks below freezing. Is it normal to suspend service on a unit that sits empty for months, or do most people just have it picked up? And should it get one last pump before the gate closes either way?

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Luis A.Bozeman, MT

Have the unit hauled off for winter. A standard unit left unused for months risks freeze damage, odor buildup and wildlife intrusion, and suspending service does not eliminate the rental fee. Most rental companies charge a monthly rental rate even when service is paused, so removing it avoids paying for an idle unit. The rental company will pump it one last time at pickup.

Before the gate closes, schedule a pickup for after November 15. Confirm with the rental company that they can access the site with their vacuum truck on that date. A standard unit sitting through freezing weather can crack if any moisture remains in the holding tank, and stagnant waste develops strong odors despite the deodorizer. Animals like raccoons may also try to enter if they smell residual waste.

In spring, redelivery involves a new delivery fee, but that cost is typically less than four months of rental fees for an unused unit. Ensure the placement spot is clear of snow and accessible for the truck when you schedule the return in March.

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