How to Avoid Rental Property Damage from Fireworks
Helping tenants understand the risks and consequences for setting off fireworks on or near your rental property – and including clear language about fireworks in your lease – are the best ways to avoid rental property damage. Although a popular part of many celebrations, fireworks have the potential to severely damage a rental property as well as injure tenants, their guests, and even nearby neighbors. The question of whether tenants will be allowed to include fireworks in their holiday celebrations is one that should be clearly addressed in a rental lease agreement.
Fireworks are a big part of many national holiday celebrations. In addition to large commercial or state-funded displays, the popularity of consumer fireworks has continued to increase. At the same time, the size and firepower of consumer fireworks have also grown, creating products that are both widely available and extremely dangerous.
According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), fireworks start an average of 18,500 fires every year. Fireworks also result in thousands of injuries; in 2017 alone, 12,900 people were treated in hospital emergency rooms for burns and other injuries caused by fireworks.
These statistics show that despite their popularity, fireworks have the potential to cause unintended damage and injury just about anywhere. To reduce the chances that such a disaster will strike on one of your rental properties, it is important to make sure your tenants know the risks involved.
For example, it is key to inform tenants of any local or state laws regulating the use of consumer fireworks on residential properties. It is also a good idea to educate them on the basics of fire safety, including recent data on fire-related accidents and injuries.
Property owners should also insist that their tenants obtain renters insurance in the event that something unexpected does occur. Landlord insurance will cover most kinds of damage to the structure, but if the damage extends to the tenant’s personal property or the tenant injures themselves or others, they will need their own policy coverage.
In addition to providing tenants with information, one of the best ways property owners can minimize fireworks use on their rental properties is by including clear and specific language in the lease documents that detail their firework policy. No matter what state or local law allows, the property owner has the last word on whether fireworks will be permitted on their rental property. Making it clear to tenants that fireworks are not allowed in the lease can go a long way toward preventing property damage and give property owners a legal recourse in the event that tenants choose not to comply.
Maintaining good tenant relations while setting clear lease terms and consequences for ignoring safety precautions is important. It also takes up a lot of time and, as they say, time is money. Real Property Management can assist property owners with tenant relations, not to mention lease language and ensuring compliance. We take care of your property and your tenant for you, freeing you to spend your valuable time elsewhere.
For more information, please contact your nearest Real Property Management office.
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