One of the good things about the holiday season is the opportunity to see family and friends again. When you are a renter and those loved ones come to visit, however, there are some things you have to be aware of, just to make sure that their visit would be a pleasant one and doesn’t violate the terms of your lease. These points can be divided into two categories. First, making your friends and family feel welcome during the holiday. Second, having a good grasp of your responsibilities as a tenant when guests visit. These points are great ways to maintain good relationships with everyone concerned – including your landlord!
When preparing for your guests to arrive, there are a number of things you can do to make their visit as comfortable as possible. For example, a lot of your guests— especially the ones staying in your home— would want to access your Wi-Fi. If you write down your password before they arrive, you can make it a lot easier for them to get online. Likewise, when you provide each guest with detailed instructions on how to get to your house, including any necessary gate codes, you’re removing any uncertainty on their part. This would be a very welcome gesture and they would be grateful for it.
When your guests are in your home, you’d want them to feel like you’ve provided everything they need. To that end, it would be nice if you provide them with a variety of breakfast options and perhaps an assortment of little necessities. Providing for your guests’ breakfast preferences can help them feel at home and cared for. Then when you add the simple gesture of giving them a basket filled with items like extra toilet paper, clean towels, toiletries, feminine products, and even a hairdryer, you go the extra mile and may even save them from an embarrassing situation if they ever forgot to bring some of their personal hygiene products.
Another nice act you can do is to write a list of the nearby amenities or attractions. This way, when they look at the local sites of interest, your guests can plan to have a little fun during their stay without feeling wholly reliant on you. As for their sleeping arrangements, see to it that their sleeping space has all the comforts they’ll need to settle in. Also, for the tenants without an extra bedroom, providing a comfortable air mattress, chair for clothing, a lamp or nightlight, and a fan will help everyone rest easy.
Now as a gracious host doing everything to make your guests comfortable, you also need to remember your responsibilities as a tenant. Virtually all landlords understand that when one celebrates the holidays, there will be holiday parties and guests that attend them. So, to make sure things don’t get out of hand, they’ve included specific language in your lease that restricts the number of guests and the length of time that any guest can stay. That is why it is important to know the terms of your lease before making any holiday plans. The last thing you want to happen is to have your holiday ruined because your neighbors complain to your landlord or the local authorities.
The main rule is that when planning holiday get-togethers and parties, try keeping them within reason. Observe local noise ordinances and quiet hours during the night. Do all you can to keep your guests from becoming a nuisance to your neighbors by parking their cars in front of their houses, driveways, and so on. It would be best to keep the number of your guests somewhat small. This will avoid angering your neighbors or your landlord.
Ultimately, be sure to check with your landlord if one or more of your guests will be staying with you for an extended period. Long-term guests who overstay their welcome may be thought of as an unauthorized tenant, creating a load of trouble for you. If you’re uncertain about how long your guests can stay before your landlord will want them to start paying rent, ask. In fact, communicating with your landlord or property management company is the best solution for any questions that may arise.
The wonderful news? Real Property Management Legacy has a team of Bellevue property managers who make it a priority to communicate with both tenants and owners while clarifying lease terms and enforcing the rules if necessary. Whether you’re looking for a rental or would like us to manage your property, contact us and see how we can help you this holiday season.
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.
