Rising landfill fees are driving up multifamily waste costs nationwide. Learn why disposal is getting more expensive—and how smarter apartment recycling and diversion strategies can protect your NOI before fees climb even higher.
A 2026 Multifamily Outlook for Apartment Owners, Operators, and Property Leaders
As 2025 closes, multifamily fundamentals are stabilizing after an unprecedented supply cycle. National occupancy remains near historical norms, construction is slowing sharply, and labor pressures—while still real—are becoming more predictable. Entering 2026, success will hinge less on rent growth and more on operational discipline, resident retention, and cost control. A-market competition remains intense, B markets are digesting peak deliveries, and C markets continue to offer stability. In this environment, ancillary services that improve daily convenience, protect compliance, and support NOI—such as valet trash—are emerging as essential tools rather than optional amenities.
Composting Made Simple for Multifamily Apartments
Composting is no longer an optional sustainability feature for multifamily housing. It is rapidly becoming a core operational requirement driven by municipal mandates, rising landfill costs, and increasing resident expectations for environmentally responsible living.
For property management, the challenge is not understanding why composting matters—it is understanding how to implement composting in a way that is compliant, operationally efficient, resident-friendly, and financially positive.
Why Smart Property Managers Are Launching Composting Programs Now—Before Regulations Force Their Hand
How Often Should GreenPlus™ Valet Trash Run?
The Frequency Sweet Spot: Why 5 Nights is the Industry Standard
While residents produce waste every day, the valet trash industry has identified a "sweet spot" for collection frequency that maximizes convenience while maintaining operational efficiency: five nights per week, typically Sunday through Thursday, starting at 8:00 PM. Still, every community is different!
Why this schedule? It aligns perfectly with the natural rhythms of multifamily living. Sunday evening is critical for clearing weekend accumulation before the work week begins, while midweek pickups handle daily household waste. Friday and Saturday nights are generally excluded to allow residents privacy during their leisure weekends and to reduce foot traffic in hallways during social hours.
However, frequency means nothing without reliability. A missed pickup on a Tuesday means overflow on Wednesday. That is why Green Plus doesn't just commit to a schedule; we verify it. Utilizing our Proof of Pickup® technology, our uniformed porters scan each container, providing property managers with real-time data and visual confirmation that "Every Door. Every Night.®" is more than a slogan—it’s a verifiable reality.
From Confusion to Compliance: How Resident Recycling Education Protects Multifamily
From Odors to Outages: The Costly Trash Compactor Mistake Property Managers Keep Making
Going Green Without Going Broke
High-Supply Market Sustainability, NOI, and Compliance: Why Multifamily Owners Need National Doorstep Pickup®
With 500k+ new units, competition is peaking in Austin, Nashville, Atlanta, Charlotte, Tampa, Denver & Raleigh-Durham. As strict waste mandates rise, owners face a dual test: standing out to residents while ensuring compliance. Success now demands balancing top amenities with verifiable sustainability.
Living with Valet Trash Service: The Smart Way to Simplify Apartment Living
Understanding Risk-Adjusted Returns in Commercial Real Estate: A Crucial Aspect of Investment Strategy | Resident First Focus
Most commercial real estate sponsors will tout their ability to achieve superior “risk-adjusted returns.” It’s one of the most basic premises in finance, but only a few investors truly understand it. A risk-adjusted return is a measure that puts returns into context based on the amount of risk involved in an investment. In short, the higher the risk, the higher the return an investor should expect.
Understanding the Risks of Unlicensed Contractors | Resident First Focus
When it comes to maintaining and improving multifamily apartment communities, the choice of contractors plays a critical role in the property’s quality, safety, and value. Hiring unlicensed and uninsured contractors might seem like a cost-effective solution, especially in a competitive market where budget constraints are often a concern. However, the decision to use such contractors can have far-reaching consequences, both legally and financially. This piece explores the risks, potential legal issues, and long-term financial implications of using unlicensed and uninsured contractors in a multifamily apartment community.
Handling a Hoarder at Your Rental Community | Resident First Focus
Have you ever walked into a home and felt like the walls were caving in on you? Then, it felt like we should have been doing more regular inspections! It could be because the owners had too much stuff crammed into a tiny space. There's no bullet-proof strategy to sidestep hoarding. But usually, one of the best precautions is screening residents closely before signing a lease. Filter well to minimize the risk of hoarders taking over your property – a headache any property manager will want to avoid, if possible.
Apartment Mailroom Automation and Management | Resident First Focus
Despite the spike in online shopping, Cyber Monday 2023 topped 12 Billion in sales, we’re still only at the tip of the iceberg. Gone are the days of camping out outside of your local electronics store. If that indicates what’s still to come, managing deliveries will become increasingly important for landlords, property managers and HOAs. As technology continues to improve, we expect to see other solutions emerge. Until then, these strategies should give some reprieve as you adapt to residents’ changing needs.
Reasons to Consider Investing in Multifamily Real Estate as Inflation Rises | Resident First Focus
Overall, multifamily real estate is a solid investment option that can provide inflation-resistant income, hedge against inflation, offer diversification, and provide tax benefits. As inflation rises, these benefits become even more pronounced, making multifamily real estate an attractive investment opportunity.
Why and How to Invest in a Low Cap Rate Environment | Resident First Focus
What Renters Aged 55+ Want from their Properties | Resident First Focus
Investors, sponsors, and property managers are increasingly vying for their share of this market demographic. That is why it is so essential to understand the priorities of older Americans. A range of property upgrades—some simple, others not as much—can be made to improve the appeal of your property among renters aged 55+.
Real Estate Sponsors: What Do They Do and Can They Foresee the Future? | Resident First Focus
What is the Debt Service Coverage Ratio (DSCR) ? | Resident First Focus
The DSCR is an essential metric for any company owner interested in obtaining a loan – real estate-related or otherwise. The loftier the going-in DSCR and the taller the projected DSCR after property improvements, the less risk associated with debt repayment. Deals with smaller risks will naturally qualify for better rates and terms among commercial lenders.
