As the owner of single-family rental homes, it is quite expected that, at some time, one or two of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard. Accepting trampolines on your rental property is yet another decision that you will need to contemplate, and it is a vital one.
There are lots of reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which could encourage you to agree. Yet, there are also solid reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. Before reaching a conclusion, it’s crucial 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 provide a fun exercise that improves coordination and muscle growth. They help develop skills for sports like gymnastics and diving, delivering endless enjoyment for lively children. Manufacturers have upgraded security with nets and in-ground options to reduce falls and injuries.
On the other hand, figures show that these benefits come with serious risks, even with safety precautions. The majority of landlords and property owners disallow trampolines, and for an acceptable reason.
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. Popular injuries involved broken ribs, sternum, spine, and head, some of which could bring about permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines may also pose a hazard. If they aren’t properly maintained or begin to corrode, they could quickly turn into an unappealing sight. Positioning a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult, as the trampoline must be relocated whenever the lawn is mowed.
If the trampoline stays in one place too long, there’s a high possibility that it will kill the grass underneath. At times, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, leaving it to decay in the garden. That heap of junk then turns into your liability once they move out.
Given the numerous disadvantages, it’s not surprising that trampolines are frequently viewed as a significant liability. Although you possess a lease addendum that transfers all accountability to the tenant if they choose to acquire a trampoline, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
However, it’s important to consider whether your tenant might feel that having a trampoline (or not) is a deal-breaker. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is key to your lasting accomplishment, so denying any request should be done carefully and for a valid justification. Due to this, to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment, the decision regarding the inclusion of trampolines on your property should be decided early and conveyed explicitly to your tenant in the lease documents.
If you want assistance in managing tenants or creating rental contracts for items such as trampolines, hire a trusted Monroe property manager like Real Property Management Value, we make things easier for both you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 704-285-2228 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.
