It is likely that one or more of your tenants will ask to have a trampoline in the yard at some time if you are the owner of single-family rental homes. Including trampolines on your rental property is yet another important choice that you will need to consider.
Indeed, there are numerous reasons why a tenant would want a trampoline, which could persuade you to allow it. On the other hand, there are also valid reasons not to allow trampolines on your rental property. Before reaching an outcome, it’s essential to understand the risks and benefits of allowing your tenants to have a trampoline.
Trampolines Are a Common Backyard Feature
Single-family homes are often equipped with trampolines. They serve as a fun exercise that improves coordination and muscle growth. They help develop skills for sports like gymnastics and diving, providing countless hours of entertainment for energetic kids. Manufacturers improved safety measures with nets and in-ground options to reduce falls and injuries.
Nevertheless, statistics indicate that these benefits come with serious risks, even with safety precautions. Landlords and property owners typically ban trampolines, and there is a good rationale behind this.
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. Broken ribs, sternum, spine, and head are common injuries, and a few of them might result in permanent neurological damage.
Trampolines might also present a danger. If they aren’t properly maintained or begin to corrode, they could quickly turn into a burden. Placing a trampoline in a grassy yard makes yard maintenance much more difficult as it must be relocated whenever the lawn is mowed.
If the trampoline stays in one place too long, it is likely that the plant life underneath it will perish. Sometimes, tenants don’t have the means to move or get rid of an old or broken trampoline, causing it to decay in the yard. That heap of junk then turns into your responsibility once they move out.
Not surprisingly, trampolines are often seen as a significant liability due to their several drawbacks. Even if you have a lease addendum that allocates all duties to the tenant should they choose to purchase a trampoline, that is no guarantee against future litigation.
Setting Expectations Early to Avoid Future Disputes
However, it is important to consider whether your tenant may perceive that having a trampoline (or not) is an important factor. Their long-term satisfaction with the rental property is critical for the longevity of your business, so denying any request should be done carefully and for an acceptable reason. That is why it is essential to finalize the choice regarding trampolines on your property promptly and to convey this choice clearly to your tenant in the lease documents to avoid future hurt feelings and disappointment.
If you seek help managing tenants or drafting rental contracts for items such as trampolines, hire a trusted Ozark property manager like Real Property Management Momentum; we streamline the experience for you and your tenants. Contact us online or at 417-324-7601 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.
