All around the country, people eagerly anticipate the arrival of Memorial Day and the promise of summer that it brings. Through the years, Memorial Day has come to be a day to hold a barbecue or gather with family and friends. Your residents will most probably celebrate Memorial Day with a social event of some kind.
When it comes to parties in your Gallatin Valley rental homes, it’s important to know what can be done to keep things under control. Here are the top three things landlords need to know about Memorial Day parties in their rental homes.
1. Put It in the Lease
It can be challenging to keep your residents’ Memorial Day celebrations from becoming events that increase the risk of damage and liability. How many people are too many for your property’s size? Can (and should) you try to restrict your residents from consuming alcohol? What is your policy about residents grilling or building fires in the yard? When you have answered these questions beforehand, you could find it easier to manage your resident’s parties before they ever happen.
The maximum number of party guests, limits for noise levels, and others can all be addressed in your lease documents. Your lease documents should explicitly limit the number of people allowed on your property, with larger numbers requiring special permission. The specific number may vary, but “no more than 10 for fewer than four hours” is a common option.
2. The Do’s and Don’ts of Alcohol and Grilling Policies
Consumption of alcohol is common in gatherings like these. Because you can’t legally prohibit alcohol on your property, you must include specific language in your lease that addresses illegal activities. It should also lay out the specific consequences of allowing such activity on your property.
Likewise, when residents want to grill or otherwise have open flames on the property, the lease should have already explained the rules and safety issues related to fire. Even quality barbecue grills can become a fire hazard if misused, so your lease should clearly explain the terms and conditions of using these.
3. Renters Insurance and Renters Legal Liability
Always ensure that your residents have their own renters insurance. If ever a large party does happen, the possibility of damage and injury increases considerably. If damage or injury does occur, you could be held responsible unless residents have their own insurance coverage.
In regards to any party or social gathering at this time, please keep in mind the current recommendations by the CDC. Though some places in the U.S. are opening back up, a lot of areas still restrict gatherings to a certain number of people. Always remind your Gallatin Valley tenants to be mindful of current restrictions within their city or state to keep themselves and your community safe.
Keep your property safe by being diligent in enforcing the terms of the lease agreement. If a party gets out of hand and loud, destructive, or illegal activity is taking place, be sure to act promptly and decisively to hold your residents accountable.
That is the reason we are here! Let us help you! At Real Property Management Bozeman, we will monitor activity in the residence and help you craft lease documents designed to keep party plans within acceptable limits. You can contact us or call us at 406-586-2226 for more info 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.