You might be debating whether or not to permit your tenants to use a grill if you own Cypress 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. However, you should balance these risks with your tenant’s ability to enjoy living in your rental property. There could be a lot of frustration if you forbid grills and your tenant dismisses your requests and brings a grill onto the property anyway. It’s crucial to weigh the benefits and drawbacks before deciding whether to permit grills for your tenants.
In American culture, barbecue grills and smokers are extremely common. In the U.S., seven out of every ten adults own one. However, according to the National Fire Protection Association, grills start 10,600 home fires on average each year. Additionally, grill-related injuries send almost 20,000 people 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. Obviously, the risk of injury or fire is sufficient justification for prohibiting grills on your property.
Grills may leave a mess behind, which is another drawback to allowing them. Ash is produced by charcoal grills, and all grills can leave greasy messes on a patio or deck. It is possible for your tenant to damage the property if they do not know how to properly dispose of the ashes or clean their grill with the proper cleaners. Surfaces with grease are difficult to remove, and ashes left outside in the wind may blow around and coat the house’s exterior surfaces. Cleaning up both messes is challenging. In addition, the heat from a grill can cause other types of damage, such as melting vinyl siding or scorching wooden decks or railings. Because it can be difficult to discern whether a tenant will use and clean up after their grill responsibly, you may determine that it is best to prohibit them from having one on the property.
Although, there are some advantages to allowing your tenants to have a grill. Probably the most significant advantage is that allowing grills will increase tenant satisfaction and foster positive tenant relations. Given the widespread popularity of grills, allowing your tenant to have one may encourage them to stay in your rental home longer, since tenants want to feel at home in their rental, and allowing them to have one may help.
Allowing tenants to have a grill is a good practice for Cypress property managers because it may deter lease violations. It’s unfortunate, but there’s a good chance that your tenant will still bring a grill onto the property and attempt to hide it even if you tell them they can’t. Instead, you might think about allowing a grill while taking a few sensible safety measures. Compared to other grill types, electric grills are safer and less likely to cause structural fires. This is due to the lack of open flames in electric grills. Even though it might not be their first choice, allowing your tenant to use an electric grill could help you keep a positive relationship with them while avoiding the more serious risks that come with using a gas or charcoal grill. You may also want to include information on the correct maintenance and cleaning of their grill. You may find that a compromise regarding grills is ultimately beneficial for you and your tenant, especially if it increases the likelihood that they will adhere to the terms of their lease.
The decision to permit tenants to have a grill ultimately comes down to your rental property, personal preferences, and circumstances. Whatever you decide, it’s crucial to build a strong relationship with your tenant, include precise language in your lease, and respond to your tenant’s requests in a timely and professional manner.
Would you like to know more about maintaining a successful Cypress rental property and good tenant relations at the same time? Contact us online today or call us directly at 713-429-0411!
Originally published: March 12, 2021
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