You might be considering allowing your tenants to have a grill if you own New Bedford single-family rental properties. For a number of reasons, such as the serious fire risk they present and the potential for injury, grills should not be permitted on the property. The tenant’s ability to enjoy living in your rental property should be taken into consideration when weighing these risks. Tenants who disregard your wishes and bring a grill onto the property despite your ban on them are just two of the potential issues that can arise when grills are prohibited. It’s essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of letting your tenants have a grill before making a decision.
American culture heavily favors the use of barbecue grills and smokers. In the U.S., seven out of every ten adults own one. But according to the National Fire Protection Association, grills cause 10,600 home fires annually on average. Moreover, grill-related injuries send nearly 20,000 patients to the emergency room each year. The vast majority of these fires and injuries are caused by gas or propane grills, the most common type of grill available. It is obvious that allowing grills on your property is not such a good idea due to the potential for injury or fire.
The potential mess that grills may leave behind is another drawback to allowing them. Ashes are produced by charcoal grills, and all grills tend to leave greasy messes on a deck or patio. If your tenant doesn’t know how to clean their grill properly with the right cleaners or dispose of their ashes properly, they risk damaging the property. Many surfaces have a hard time being cleaned of grease, and ashes that have been left outside in the wind can coat the outside of the house. Both messes are hard to tidy up. Moreover, the high temperature from a grill can melt vinyl siding, leave scorch marks on wooden decks and railings, and cause other damage. You might think it’s best to tell your tenant they can’t have a grill on the property because it can be difficult to predict whether they’ll use it responsibly and take care of it well.
Nevertheless, allowing your tenants to have a grill has some benefits. The main advantage of allowing grills is that it will increase tenant satisfaction and foster positive tenant relations. Because they’re so popular, giving your tenant permission to have a grill may encourage them to stay in your rental home longer since they will feel at home in their accommodations.
Allowing tenants to have a grill is a good practice for New Bedford property managers because it may deter lease violations. It’s unfortunate, but even if you tell your tenant they can’t have a grill, there’s a good chance they’ll still bring one onto the property and try to hide it. Rather, you may want to consider allowing a grill with some sensible precautions. Electric grills, for instance, are safer and less likely to cause structure fires than other grill types. This is due in part to the fact that there are no open flames on electric grills. Although it may not be your tenant’s first choice, allowing them to have an electric grill may help you maintain good relations with them while avoiding the greater dangers posed by gas and charcoal grills. You may also consider including instructions for the grill’s maintenance and cleaning. In the end, you might discover that reaching a reasonable agreement on grills is better for you and your tenant in the long run, particularly if it means they’ll be more likely to abide by the terms of their lease.
In the end, your rental property, preferences, and circumstance will determine whether you should permit your tenants to have a grill. What’s crucial, however, is that you build a strong relationship with your tenant, include direct language in your lease, and respond to their requests in a timely and professional manner, regardless of the course you ultimately take.
Would you like to know more about maintaining a successful New Bedford rental property and good tenant relations at the same time? Contact us online today or call us directly at 774-840-5140!
Originally published: March 12, 2021
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