Christmas is an exciting time for many because they can decorate their homes with festive decor. This is a time-honored tradition for renters and homeowners alike. Many tenants want to adorn their eaves and windows with strings of lights, adding a cheerful twinkle to long winter nights. However, adorning a house with Christmas lights is not nearly as simple as putting up other kinds of holiday decoration; it’s much riskier as well. Seeing as everyone has varying ideas of what constitutes as a tasteful holiday display, you cannot be sure that the end result will be appreciated by everybody. Because of these reasons, among others, Pearland landlords and property owners should rethink letting their renters hang Christmas lights on their own.
Consider the Risks
As stated by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, there are more than 1,000 serious injuries brought about by hanging Christmas decorations each year. Serious falls, electrical shocks, cuts, and abrasions would send people to the emergency room. These are only some of the possible risks of hanging lights.
Another liability risk involves ornaments that violate the rules of Common Interest Communities (commonly known as Homeowner Associations) and other local governances. A CIC, in particular, may have strict rules that indicate the type, quantity, and duration of Christmas decorations. Only the kinds listed in the CIC may be used, and you cannot go beyond the stipulated limit of the number of decorations. You also cannot put them up too early or leave them on too long as many CICs also regulate how long decorations can be displayed. If your tenant violates CIC regulations, you may find yourself on the hook for fines, disciplinary action, or other unwanted consequences.
Observing the CIC rules to be in compliance with them may require prohibiting renters from hanging their own Christmas lights in your property. 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 just too many uncertainties when tenants do their own Christmas decorating, and many of these uncertainties carry with it a huge liability. For that reason, it is important to talk about and recognize what you consider prudent holiday decorating guidelines with your renters.
In Conclusion
No matter the season, it’s critical to oversee your properties carefully, a service that is an essential role of the Real Property Management Prestige move towards 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’re interested to know more, don’t hesitate to contact us online or call us at 281-532-5455 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.
