As the owner of single-family rental homes, the odds are high that, one of these days, one or more of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard. Allowing trampolines on your rental property is yet another decision that you will need to make, and it is one that is crucial.
There are countless reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which could make it hard to resist saying yes. Nevertheless, there are also acceptable reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. Before making an assessment, it’s important to recognize the risks and benefits of allowing your tenants to have a trampoline.
Trampolines Are a Common Backyard Feature
Trampolines are a delightful addition to single-family homes. They provide a fun exercise that improves coordination and muscle growth. They help develop skills for sports like gymnastics and diving, offering endless joy for lively kids. Manufacturers have taken exciting steps to enhance safety with nets and in-ground options to reduce falls and injuries.
Nonetheless, data points out that these benefits come with serious risks, even with safety precautions. Most landlords and property owners have a strict no-trampoline policy, and it’s easy to see why.
Why Trampolines Can Become a Liability for Landlords
In the U.S., trampolines lead to approximately 100,000 injuries each year. Most of these injuries involve broken legs and arms, but they can be much more serious. Examples of injuries encompass cracked ribs, sternum, spine, and head, some of which may result in permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines can also pose hazards. If they aren’t properly maintained or start to rust, they could swiftly turn into a real disappointment. Having a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult, as it needs to be moved each time the lawn is mowed.
If the trampoline stays in one place too long, it might just end up harming the grass beneath it. At times, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, leaving it to deteriorate in the yard. That heap of junk then becomes your duty once they move out.
With so many negative aspects, it’s simple to understand why trampolines are normally regarded as a significant liability. Even if you have a lease addendum that gives the entire obligation to the tenant for any trampoline they decide to get, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
Still, it’s imperative to consider whether your tenant might feel that having a trampoline (or not) is an obstacle. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is vital to your long-term accomplishment, so denying any request should be done carefully and with a solid justification. That is why, to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment, whether or not to allow trampolines on your property should be made beforehand and communicated clearly to your tenant in the lease documents.
If you need help managing tenants or crafting lease agreements for items like trampolines, hire a trusted Pittsboro property manager like Real Property Management Impact. We simplify the process for both you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 919-439-8989 today.
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