One anticipated time-honored tradition for renters and homeowners alike is decorating the house for Christmas. Many tenants want to adorn their eaves and windows with strings of lights, adding a cheerful twinkle to long winter nights. However, putting up Christmas lights on a house is more challenging and less safe than other holiday decorations. Since everyone has different ideas of what is considered a tasteful holiday display, you can never be quite sure what the result will be. There is more than one reason why St. Charles property owners and landlords should not let their renters hang Christmas lights alone.
Consider the Risks
More than 1,000 serious injuries occur because renters hang Christmas decorations each year, as stated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. Serious falls, electrical shocks, cuts, and abrasions are only some of the possible risks of hanging lights that send people to the emergency room.
Another liability risk concerns decorations that infringe the regulations of Common Interest Communities (commonly known as Homeowner Associations) and other local governments. A CIC, in particular, may have stringent rules about Christmas decorations. They list what kind of decorations and how many of each can be used. Some CICs also have rules about when the decorations can be installed and how long they can be displayed. If your tenant violates CIC regulations, you may be on the hook for fines, disciplinary action, or other unwanted consequences.
Keeping your property in compliance may mean you must tell your renters that they should avoid hanging their Christmas lights. While no one wants to be a holiday grinch that stifles the fun, this is not something property owners can afford to leave to chance. There are too many uncertainties when tenants decorate their own Christmas, and many of these uncertainties carry considerable liability. As a result, it is necessary to talk with your tenants and find the best holiday decorating guidelines.
In Conclusion
No matter the season, it’s crucial to supervise your properties carefully, a service that is vital to the Real Property Management Gold approach to property management. Our expert property managers are conscious of the value of completing regular property evaluations and keeping your tenants protected and in observance of their lease. If you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 301-392-2172 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.
