Whether you have plans for Christmas decorations or not, it is understood that doing so is a time-honored tradition for renters and homeowners alike. Many tenants want to adorn their eaves and windows with strings of lights, adding a cheerful twinkle to long winter nights. Nevertheless, hanging Christmas lights on a house are never easy, nor is it harmless as compared to installing other holiday decorations. The results are not the same, and you can’t tell how yours would look like as everybody has different opinions on what comprises a tasteful holiday display. For plenty of reasons other than aesthetic ones, Atlanta property owners and landlords must think twice before they let their renters hang Christmas lights by themselves.
Consider the Risks
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 1,000 serious injuries are recorded by hanging Christmas decorations each year. Falls, electrical shocks, cuts, and abrasions severe enough to send people to the emergency room are just a few of the inherent hazards of hanging lights.
Another liability risk includes decorations that infringe the laws of Common Interest Communities (commonly known as Homeowner Associations) and other local governances. A CIC, to be more specific, could have stringent requirements about how many and what sort of Christmas decorations are allowed, as well as when and how long they may be exposed. If your tenant violates CIC regulations, you may find yourself on the hook for fines, disciplinary action, or other unwanted consequences.
Making sure that your property is in compliance with the given standards could mean that you will have to entertain thoughts about banning renters from hanging their own Christmas lights. Nobody wants to be a holiday grinch, but the liability is just too much. The cons outweigh the pros definitely, and property owners can afford to leave the chance than letting tenants risk themselves and your property which is why it is essential to communicate and outline common-sense holiday decorating guidelines with your tenants.
In Conclusion
No matter the season, it’s important to monitor your properties cautiously, a service that is an integral part of the Real Property Management Executives Greater Atlanta approach to property management. Our expert property managers know the value of finishing regular property evaluations and keeping your tenants safe and in compliance with their lease. To learn more, please contact us online or call us at 678-765-8383 today.
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.
