You might be debating whether or not to permit your tenants to use a grill if you own Ellsworth single-family rental properties. For a variety of reasons, such as the serious fire risk they present, the possibility of injury, and the potential for greasy messes, you might not want to permit grills on the property. However, these risks need to be weighed against how much your tenant will enjoy living in your rental property. Tenants who disregard your wishes and bring a grill onto the property despite your ban on them are just two of the potential issues that can arise when grills are prohibited. It’s essential to weigh the advantages and disadvantages of letting your tenants have a grill before making a decision.
Barbeque grills and smokers are very popular in American culture. In the United States, up to seven out of ten adults own one. Grills, however, are cited as the cause of 10,600 home fires on average each year by the National Fire Protection Association. In addition, approximately 20,000 individuals visit the emergency room each year due to grill-related injuries. A large number of these fires and injuries are caused by gas or propane grills, which are the most popular grills on the market. It is obvious that allowing grills on your property is not such a good idea due to the potential for injury or fire.
The potential for grills to create a mess is another disadvantage of allowing them. Ashes are produced by charcoal grills, and all grills tend to leave greasy messes on a deck or patio. If your tenant does not know how to responsibly dispose of ashes and clean their grill with the proper cleaners, they might cause property damage. Many surfaces have a hard time being cleaned of grease, and ashes that have been left outside in the wind can coat the outside of the house. It’s challenging to clean up either mess. The heat from a grill can also cause damage, such as melting vinyl siding or scorching wooden decks or railings. Because it can be difficult to determine whether a tenant will use and clean up after their grill responsibly, you may conclude that prohibiting grills is the best course of action.
Nevertheless, there are benefits to allowing your tenants to have a grill. Probably the most significant advantage is that allowing grills will make your tenants happy and improve tenant relations. Given the widespread popularity of grills, allowing your tenant to have one may encourage them to stay in your rental property longer, because tenants want to feel at home in their rental.
Allowing tenants to have a grill is a good practice for Ellsworth property managers because it may deter lease violations. Sadly, there’s a good chance that even if you tell your tenant they can’t have a grill, they’ll still bring one onto the property and then try to hide it. Rather, you might think about permitting a grill while putting some safety measures in place. For instance, compared to other grill types, electric grills are safer and less likely to start structural fires. The reason behind this is the absence of open flames in electric grills. Although having an electric grill may not be your tenant’s first choice, allowing it could help you keep a good relationship with them while avoiding the more significant risks that come with having a gas or charcoal grill. Consider giving them advice on how to maintain and clean their grill as well. You may find that a compromise regarding grills is ultimately beneficial for you and your tenant, especially if it increases the likelihood that they will adhere to the terms of their lease.
In the end, your rental property, preferences, and circumstance will determine whether you should permit your tenants to have a grill. Whatever you decide, it’s crucial to build a strong relationship with your tenant, include precise language in your lease, and respond to your tenant’s requests in a timely and professional manner.
Would you like to know more about maintaining a successful Ellsworth rental property and good tenant relations at the same time? Contact us online today or call us directly at 207-561-7482!
Originally published: March 12, 2021
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