Putting up Christmas lights is one of the most popular holiday traditions for many people. But should you allow your renters to hang Christmas lights by themselves on your Fall River rental house? This is a question you must think about before saying yes. With all of the things that could possibly go wrong, there are valid reasons for you to discourage your tenants from hanging their own Christmas lights on the roof or trees. But your tenants can still enjoy this part of the festivities. There are many ways to help your tenants decorate their homes while keeping safety in mind.
Probably the best reason not to let your tenants hang Christmas lights on their own is the risk of possible injury. From 2007 to 2013, more than 173,000 people in the U.S. were injured by hanging Christmas decorations in their homes. There are many dangers that come with hanging Christmas lights on a home’s exterior.
Every holiday season, an estimated 13,000 people injure themselves by falling off the roof or getting shocked by Christmas lights. If your roof tiles are loose or slippery, you could be held responsible for your tenant’s injuries. There is also a high chance of electrical shock or overloading of the existing breakers. Even when your property’s roof is not the issue, you could still land yourself in an ugly legal battle.
One other reason to discourage your tenant from installing their own Christmas lights is the possible damage to your rental property. Nails, screws, and other hardware are often used to secure strings of lights, garlands, and other Christmas decorations, which can leave ugly holes in walls, both interior, and exterior.
Creating even small holes in exterior surfaces could cause insects to take harbor in or water to seep into the walls of the home leading to possible damages that would entail repair costs. Even when there are many ways to decorate a home without causing any damage to walls or exterior surfaces, you can’t be sure your tenant will use them. Since they are renters, they might not be as cautious as an owner would.
You can keep your tenant and rental and property safe by offering another way to enjoy Christmas lights while freeing you & your tenant of any liabilities. You can do this by hiring a professional to do the Christmas lights installation on the home for your tenant. Because they carry their own liability insurance, professionals have the capability to do the job safer and faster than your tenant could.
Professional light installers also usually return after the holidays to remove the Christmas lights from the home. Even when hiring someone to install Christmas lights on your rental house might seem like an additional cost, it could be well worth the price.
With this offer of convenience for your tenant, you not only ensure their safety and that of your property, but you also build goodwill and improve your landlord-tenant relationship by giving them extra time during the holidays.
Whether it’s putting up Christmas lights or simply any routine property maintenance, managing a rental property can take time away from your holiday celebrations. Why not let Real Property Management Success do it for you? Our property management professionals have the resources and expertise you need to feel confident that your investment and your tenant are both safe and sound this holiday season. Would you like to learn more? Call us at 908-239-7579 or contact us online 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.
