When managing a rental property, it’s important to acknowledge the importance of its exterior. The appearance of the exterior plays a major role in determining the property’s value and curb appeal. Regular maintenance of the exterior is essential, and tenants should be encouraged to help maintain its appearance.
It’s necessary to consider that conflicting opinions about the appearance of the rental property may lead to difficulties. Some tenants may desire to not only maintain the yard but also make changes or additions to the exterior of the rental property. The DIY home improvement trend has led to a rise in tenants attempting property upgrades, occasionally without the landlord’s permission.
Common types of unauthorized tenant changes
For example, your tenant may consider a patio umbrella inadequate and prefer a pergola instead. While it might seem easy to let them build one in the yard, this situation could result in permit violations, property damage, and even personal injuries. If someone were injured during the assembly, it could lead to a significant legal issue on top of everything else.
Faulty sprinklers or gas lines, damaged siding, and shoddy work can result in expensive renovations and a hazardous backyard environment, causing significant financial strain for the property owner.
The same issues arise with other typical home improvements, such as painting, garage door replacement, or adding a deck or porch. Personal preferences and/or shoddy renovations can decrease the property’s value, making it harder to attract renters. Having tenants carry out home improvement projects on their own is not a well-considered strategy.
Prevent tenants from modifying rental property
The ideal strategy is to prevent home “improvement” projects from getting off the ground. Use clear language in the lease to ensure tenants understand they cannot make permanent alterations to your rental property.
Regularly inspecting your property is essential to ensure tenants haven’t made unauthorized alterations or modifications. By being proactive, you can prevent safety hazards, lease breaches, or damage to the property, giving you greater control over your property.
That’s the perfect time to contact Real Property Management One Source. We accomplish regular property evaluations in Prosper and nearby to prevent unauthorized tenant improvements in their tracks. If you want to understand more, please contact us online or by phone at 214-721-0727.
Originally Published on Mar 22, 2019
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