As the owner of single-family rental homes, you should anticipate that one day, one or more of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard. Authorizing trampolines on your rental property is an essential issue that requires meticulous consideration.
There are lots of reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which may persuade you to grant permission to their request. Nevertheless, there are also legitimate reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. Prior to reaching an answer, it is essential to be familiar with 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 serve as a fun exercise that improves coordination and muscle growth. They help develop skills for sports like gymnastics and diving, while also engaging kids in activities for a longer time. Nets and in-ground options have been created by manufacturers to improve security and reduce falls and injuries.
Even with safety precautions, the numbers demonstrate that these benefits come with serious risks. For good reasons, the majority of landlords and property owners do not allow trampolines.
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. Frequent injuries include fractured ribs, sternum, spine, and head, some of which may give rise to permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines may potentially present a danger of harm. If they aren’t properly maintained or begin to rust, they may swiftly transform into an eyesore. Having a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult since the trampoline needs to be transferred each time the lawn is mowed.
If the trampoline stays in one place too long, there is a significant likelihood that the grass underneath will not survive. Sometimes, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, leaving it to deteriorate in the yard. That heap of junk subsequently becomes your duty once they move out.
Considering the numerous potential disadvantages, it is reasonable to regard trampolines as a significant liability. Even if you have a lease addendum that gives full responsibility to the tenant should they choose to get a trampoline, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
However, you must still consider whether your tenant perceives having a trampoline (or not) as a hindrance. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is essential for your sustained profitability, so denying any request should be done carefully and for a legitimate explanation. Consequently, it is imperative to establish a definitive stance on trampolines on your property promptly and convey this to your tenant in the lease documents to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment.
If you encounter difficulties in managing tenants or drafting lease agreements for things like trampolines, hire a trusted Carmel property manager like Real Property Management Crossroads. We can streamline the process for both you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 317-218-7800 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.
