It is quite likely that one or more of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard in the future, if you are the owner of single-family rental homes. This is yet another important choice that you will need to consider: the choice to allow trampolines on your rental property.
There are several reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which could persuade you to approve their appeal. On the flip side, there are also good reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. Grasping the risks and benefits of allowing your tenants to have a trampoline is essential before reaching a conclusion.
Trampolines Are a Common Backyard Feature
Trampolines are often seen in single-family homes. They give a fun exercise that improves coordination and muscle growth. They help develop skills for sports like gymnastics and diving, offering countless moments of joy for energetic children. Manufacturers have strengthened protection with nets and in-ground options to reduce falls and injuries.
However, statistics indicate that these benefits come with serious risks, even with safety precautions. Numerous landlords and property owners forbid trampolines, and for a valid 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. Typical injuries encompass fractured ribs, sternum, spine, and head, some of which can cause permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines might also present a danger. If they aren’t properly maintained or start to deteriorate, they could quickly turn into a nuisance. Having a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult, as it requires moving it every time the lawn is mowed.
It is likely that the plants under the trampoline will be ruined if it stays in one place too long. At times, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, causing it to deteriorate in the garden. That heap of junk then becomes your duty once they move out.
Considering the various disadvantages, it’s not surprising that trampolines are frequently viewed as a significant liability. Even if you have a lease addendum that places full accountability to the tenant should they choose to buy a trampoline, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
However, it’s vital to consider whether your tenant may perceive that having a trampoline (or not) is an issue. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is is key to your success in the long run, so denying any request should be done carefully and for an appropriate reason. Therefore, to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment, whether or not to permit trampolines on your property must be made immediately and expressed clearly to your tenant in the lease documents.
If you need support managing tenants or developing lease agreements for items such as trampolines, hire a trusted Doylestown property manager like Real Property Management Tri-State Area; we simplify life for both you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 610-497-2700 now.
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.
