As the owner of single-family rental homes, the probabilities are high that, in the future, one or more of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard. Another important choice you will have to make is whether to let trampolines stay on your rental property.
There are lots of reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which could make you want to say yes. But there are also solid reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. Before making a choice, it’s imperative to realize the risks and benefits of allowing your tenants to have a trampoline.
Trampolines Are a Common Backyard Feature
Trampolines are widespread in single-family homes. They deliver a fun exercise that improves coordination and muscle growth. They help develop skills for sports like gymnastics and diving, and keep energetic kids entertained for hours. Manufacturers have made safety better by adding nets and in-ground options to reduce falls and injuries.
However, numbers show that these benefits come with serious risks, even with safety precautions. Most landlords and property owners don’t let you have trampolines, and for valid reasons.
Why Trampolines Can Become a Liability for Landlords
In the U.S., trampolines lead to approximately 100,000 injuries each year. A lot of these injuries involve broken legs and arms, but some are more serious. Fractures of the ribs, sternum, spine, and head are common accidents that can cause permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines can also be dangerous. If they aren’t properly maintained or begin to disintegrate, they could quickly look bad. Having a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult, as the trampoline should be relocated each time the lawn is mowed.
If the trampoline stays in one place too long, there’s a substantial likelihood that the grass under the trampoline will die. Sometimes, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, leaving it to deteriorate in the yard. Once they move out, you’ll have to deal with that heap of junk.
With all of these problems, it’s easy to see why trampolines are often regarded as a significant liability. Even if you have a lease addendum that says the renter is responsible for everything if they decide to get a trampoline, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
Still, you should consider whether your tenant might feel that having a trampoline (or not) is a deal-breaker. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is important for your future prosperity, so denying any request should be done carefully and for a valid reason. That is why, to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment, whether or not to allow trampolines on your property should be made promptly and communicated clearly to your tenant in the lease documents.
If you are having trouble managing tenants or making lease agreements for things like trampolines, you need to hire a trusted Florissant property manager like Real Property Management Three Bridges. We’ll make things more straightforward for you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 636-542-8852 today.
Originally Published on July 3, 2020
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