All around the country, people eagerly anticipate the arrival of Memorial Day and the promise of summer that it brings. After many years, Memorial Day has become synonymous with holding a barbecue or gathering with family and friends. Your residents will most probably celebrate Memorial Day with a social event of some kind.
When it comes to parties in your Elkhorn rental homes, it’s important to know what can be done to keep things under control. Learn the three most important things landlords must 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 is 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, allowable noise levels, and more can all be addressed in your lease documents. Your lease documents should explicitly limit the number of people allowed on your property, with larger numbers requiring special permission. There are no specific numbers, but “no more than 10 for fewer than four hours” is a usual choice.
2. The Do’s and Don’ts of Alcohol and Grilling Policies
Consumption of alcohol is common in gatherings like these. You must include specific language in your lease that addresses illegal activities. This is of utmost importance especially because you can’t legally prohibit alcohol on your property. Your lease must also state the specific consequences of allowing these activities on your 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. In case a large gathering does occur on the property, the possibility of damage and injury increases considerably. If damage or injury does occur, you could be held responsible unless 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. Your Elkhorn tenants must be 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, make sure that you act promptly and decisively to hold your residents accountable.
You do not have to do this alone. At Real Property Management Legacy, 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 402-983-8365 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.
