When your conceptualization of a “nice” exterior contrasts from what your tenant desires, dilemmas can begin. Some renters aren’t contented with solely keeping their backyard neat and tidy – they also want to adjust or add to the rental home’s exterior features as well. With do-it-yourself home improvements such a widely held craze, it’s presumable that an increasing number of tenants will try to assemble “improvements” with or without your approval.
For example, your tenant may decide that a patio umbrella simply isn’t good enough – they want a pergola instead. While it may sound simple enough to let them make one in the patio, this is a hotbed for permit violations, damage to the property, and even personal injuries. (If someone was hurt you may have a serious legal problem on your hands.) Broken sprinkler or gas lines, damaged siding, and poor workmanship can all make costly restorations and dangerous conditions in the backyard.
The same goes for other popular home improvements, such as painting, replacing the garage door or adding a deck or porch. Unique personal preferences and/or low-quality remodeling lower property values and make it harder to rent it out. In a nutshell, it just isn’t a wise strategy to have tenants constructing projects by themselves.
The best strategy is to stop home “improvement” projects before they start. Create clear language within the lease to reinforce the fact that tenants are not allowed to make permanent changes to your Garden Oaks rental property. It is also critical to examine your property constantly, assuring that a sneaky tenant hasn’t taken things into their own hands. Since this takes time, it can prevent you from doing other things.
That’s when you should give Real Property Management Heritage a call. We operate regular property evaluations prepared to put an end to unauthorized tenant improvements in their tracks. If you are excited to hear more, please contact us online or by phone at 832-708-8157.