All around the country, people eagerly anticipate the arrival of Memorial Day and the promise of summer that it brings. Over time, Memorial Day has become a time to hold a barbecue or gather with family and friends. Your residents might want to celebrate Memorial Day with a social event of some kind as well.
It’s important to know what can be done to keep things under control when it comes to parties in your Wellsville rental homes. Here are the three most important things landlords need to know about Memorial Day parties in their rental homes.
1. Put It in the Lease
Ensuring that your residents’ Memorial Day celebrations do not turn into large events that increase the risk of damage and liability can be very challenging. How many people are considered too many for your rental home? Can (and should) you try to restrict your residents from consuming alcohol? What is your policy about residents grilling or building fires in the yard? The answers to these questions can help you define the limits of your resident’s parties before they ever happen.
The maximum number of party guests, tolerable noise levels, and other items can all be addressed in your lease documents. Craft your lease documents to explicitly limit the number of people they can invite, with larger numbers requiring special permission. The number may vary, but “no more than 10 for fewer than four hours” is a popular pick.
2. The Do’s and Don’ts of Alcohol and Grilling Policies
Parties usually involve the consumption of alcohol. Since you can’t legally prohibit alcohol on your property, there must be specific language in your lease regarding illegal activities. It is also important to lay out the specific consequences of allowing such activity on your rental property.
Also, when residents want to grill or otherwise have open flames on the property, the lease should have already explained the rules and safety issues related to fire. Even quality barbecue grills can become a fire hazard if misused, so your lease language should clearly state if grills are allowed and under what terms.
3. Renters Insurance and Renters Legal Liability
You have to ensure that your residents have their own renters insurance. Should a large party happen, the possibility of damage and injury increases considerably. If damage or injury does occur, you could be held responsible unless your residents have their own insurance coverage.
In regards to any party or social gathering at this time, please keep in mind the current recommendations by the CDC. Although a lot of places in the U.S. are opening back up, many still restrict gatherings to a certain number of people. Ensure that your Wellsville tenants are mindful of current restrictions within their city or state to keep themselves and your community safe.
When you are diligent in enforcing the terms of the lease agreement, you are also protecting your property. If a party gets out of hand and loud, destructive, or illegal activity is taking place, act promptly, and decisively to hold your residents accountable.
We are here to help. You do not have to do all this by yourself. At Real Property Management Cache Valley, we will monitor activity in the residence and help you craft lease documents designed to keep party plans within acceptable limits. You can contact us or call us at 435-753-5200 for more info today!
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
