As a landlord, you may face an issue when your tenants ask to install a hot tub on your rental property. Even if it can result in better tenant satisfaction and cost savings, hot tub installation has likely risks. If the hot tub malfunctions or instigates damage to the property, you may be left with costly repairs and legal disputes. On top of everything, poor tenant maintenance can bring about hygiene concerns or safety hazards.
Thus, in preparation for making your decision, it’s imperative to take into consideration all the imaginable risks and benefits of allowing your tenants to install a hot tub. Look into consulting with legal or insurance professionals to make sure you are secured in case of any issues.
For property owners, deciding if tenants can have a hot tub is conditional on some factors. There are excellent reasons for allowing or not allowing it. Here are a number of considerations for each option:
Reasons to Allow Tenants to Have a Hot Tub:
- Attracting and Retaining Tenants: Granting amenities, particularly a sauna bath can make your property more appealing to potential tenants, affording you to charge higher rent and retain tenants for longer periods of time.
- Increased Property Value: Installing a hot tub can enhance the overall value of your property, which can be favorable if you plan to sell in the future.
- Competitive Advantage: In multiple rental markets, fitting a hot tub can give your property a competitive edge over others, helping it to be easily noticed and get rented more quickly.
- Tenant Satisfaction: Tenants who appreciate the luxury of a hot tub may be more glad about their living arrangements, which could contribute to rare complaints and the very best of relationships.
Reasons Not to Allow Tenants to Have a Hot Tub:
- Maintenance and Costs: Hot tubs entail regular maintenance, like cleaning, water treatment, and potential repairs. You may need to take on these costs or pass them on to your tenants, which could scare off several renters.
- Liability and Safety Concerns: Hot tubs can pose safety risks. There is a risk of accidents, injuries, or even lawsuits if someone gets hurt. You may need to get additional insurance coverage to keep yourself protected.
- Potential Property Damage: There’s a risk that the sauna bath could damage the property, for instance, the deck or plumbing, which may cause innumerable costly repairs.
- Local Regulations: Many local municipalities and homeowners’ associations may have regulations or restrictions on integrating and using hot tubs. It’s integral to check and obey any such rules.
- Increased Utility Costs: Hot tubs consume electricity and water, which could induce higher utility bills. Distinguish whether you or the tenant will cover these costs.
Assume you are seriously thinking about allowing your tenants to put up a hot tub on your property. In this instance, there are several crucial considerations to be mindful of like ownership, the lease agreement terms, the removal and restoration process, cost responsibilities, and the approval process.
Putting together clear and definite guidelines and rules in the lease agreement is enormously recommended if you ever decide to permit hot tub installation. This can incorporate basic issues like maintenance and repair, responsibilities, and usage restrictions, which are vital to ensure the safety of your tenants and protect your property.
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If you’re managing rental properties in Newport News and would like more insight on how to write your lease agreement, the Newport News property managers at Real Property Management VA Peninsula can help. Contact us online or call us at 757-251-9188 today.
Originally Published on July 3, 2020