As the owner of single-family rental homes, it is highly probable that, at some juncture, one or more of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard. Permitting trampolines on your rental property is a significant choice that requires consideration.
There are several reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which could persuade you to acquiesce. However, there are valid reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. Prior to reaching a selection, it’s essential to comprehend the risks and benefits of allowing your tenants to have a trampoline.
Trampolines Are a Common Backyard Feature
Trampolines are prevalent in 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 extensive amusement for active children. Manufacturers have improved safety through the implementation of nets and in-ground options to reduce falls and injuries.
Nevertheless, statistics indicate that these benefits come with serious risks, even with safety precautions. Most landlords and property owners disallow trampolines, and justifiably so.
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. Prevalent injuries encompass shattered ribs, sternum, spine, and head, some of which may lead to permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines may pose a risk. If they aren’t properly maintained or subjected to rust, they may rapidly transform into an eyesore. Having a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult as it necessitates reLakeland each time the lawn is mowed.
If the trampoline stays in one place too long, it is likely to suffocate the grass beneath it. Occasionally, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, resulting in its deterioration in the yard. That heap of junk then becomes your responsibility once they move out.
Given the numerous disadvantages, it is unsurprising that trampolines are frequently regarded as a significant liability. Although a lease addendum may shift the whole duty to the tenant for acquiring a trampoline, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
Still, it’s crucial to consider whether your tenant might feel that having a trampoline (or not) is a deal-breaker. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is critical to your long-term success, so denying any request should be done carefully and for valid reasons. That is why, to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment, whether or not to allow trampolines on your property should be made promptly and explicitly conveyed to your tenant in the lease documents.
If you need help managing tenants or drafting lease agreements for things like trampolines, hire a trusted Lakeland property manager like Real Property Management Lakeside, and we facilitate a smoother experience for both you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 863-877-1078 today.
Originally Published on July 3, 2020
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