As the owner of single-family rental homes, it is highly probable that, at some juncture, some or all of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard. A crucial decision you must make is whether to permit trampolines on your rental property.
There are numerous reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which could prompt you to agree. However, there are legitimate reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. One should evaluate the risks and benefits of allowing your tenants to have a trampoline prior to reaching a conclusive decision.
Trampolines Are a Common Backyard Feature
Trampolines tend to appear in single-family homes. They provide a fun exercise that improves coordination and muscle growth. Engaging active children over extended periods helps them develop skills for sports like gymnastics and diving. Manufacturers have enhanced safety measures by including nets and in-ground options to reduce falls and injuries.
Statistical study, however, indicates that these benefits come with serious risks, even with safety precautions. There is a good reason why 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. The majority of these injuries involve broken legs and arms, but they can be much more serious. Many of these injuries entail fractured ribs, sternum, spine, and head, some of which can give rise to permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines may pose safety risks. If they aren’t properly maintained, they may corrode and quickly become unsightly. Having a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult, as the trampoline needs to be relocated each time the lawn is mowed.
The trampoline may harm or even obliterate the grass beneath it if it stays in one place too long. Sometimes, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, resulting in its deterioration in the yard. Once they move out, you’ll have to deal with that heap of junk.
The myriad disadvantages of trampolines clearly illustrate why they are regarded as a significant liability. Even if you have a lease addendum that transfers complete accountability to the tenant if they decide to get a trampoline, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
Yet, it is imperative to consider whether your tenant might feel that having a trampoline (or not) is a nuisance. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is vital to your sustained business, so denying any request should be done carefully and for a legitimate reason. Consequently, to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment, the decision regarding the inclusion of trampolines on your property should be determined promptly and explicitly communicated to your tenant in the lease documents.
If you need assistance in managing tenants or generating lease arrangements for things like trampolines, hire a trusted Winter Garden property manager like Real Property Management Alliances, which may ease a lot of stress for both you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 407-378-7611 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.
