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What Does “Home for the Holidays” Mean for Your Tenants?

Grandparents Visiting for ChristmasOne of the greatest parts of the holiday season is that we can get together with our family and friends. When you are a renter and those loved ones come to visit, however, there are a few important things you should keep in mind. These things would both ensure a visit that is comfortable and one that doesn’t violate the terms of your lease. These points can be categorized into two. First, ensuring that your friends and family feel welcome during the holiday. Second, knowing your responsibilities as a tenant when guests visit. These things are good ways to maintain good relationships with everyone concerned – including your landlord!

When preparing for your guests to arrive, there are a number of things you can do to make their visit as comfortable as possible. For instance, you’re going to have guests that are staying in your home. It’s almost a certainty that many of them would want to access your Wi-Fi. By writing down your password on a piece of paper and handing it over to them when they arrive, you are making it more convenient for them to get online. In the same way, by giving each guest detailed instructions on how to reach your house, including the necessary gate codes, you are making their journey a lot easier. No more uncertainty for them and they can focus on enjoying their trip.

As soon as your guests are in your home, you’d want to give them a sense that they lack nothing and that everything they need is available. Considering this, it would be really great if you provide them with breakfast options that they can choose from; you can also give them an assortment of little necessities. When you cater to your guests’ breakfast preferences, you help them feel comfortable and show them the care that you have for them. Also, the simple act of adding a basket filled with items like extra toilet paper, clean towels, toiletries, feminine products, and even a hairdryer can prevent any embarrassing situations from happening if they happen to forget something.

A nice gesture would be to list down the nearby amenities or attractions. By doing this, your guests can plan to have a little fun during their stay, visiting some local sites of interest, and they won’t feel wholly reliant on you. As for their sleeping arrangements, be sure to provide them with a sleeping space with all the comforts they’ll need to settle in. Also, for the tenants without an extra bedroom, setting up a comfortable air mattress, chair for clothing, a lamp or nightlight, and a fan will help everyone rest easy.

Now as you do all you can to make your guests feel welcome, you also need to remember your responsibilities as a tenant. Most landlords understand that celebrating the holidays means having holiday parties and guests that attend them. It is for this very reason that many of them have included specific language in your lease that restricts the number of guests and the length of time that any guest can stay. This is exactly why it is important to know the terms of your lease before making any holiday plans. Nothing is worse than having your holiday ruined because your neighbors complain to your landlord or the local authorities.

The rule of thumb when you’re planning holiday get-togethers and parties is to keep them within reason. Observe local noise ordinances and quiet hours during the night. Make your best effort to keep your guests from becoming a nuisance to your neighbors by parking their cars in front of their houses, driveways, and so on. It’s probably best to keep your number of guests somewhat small to keep your neighbors or your landlord from getting angry.

Finally, make sure you check with your landlord if one or more of your guests will be staying with you for an extended period. Long-term guests who overstay their welcome may be regarded as an unauthorized tenant. This would create a whole slew of problems for you. If you aren’t sure about how long your guests can stay before your landlord will want them to start paying rent, ask. In fact, communicating with your landlord or property management company is a really good approach for any uncertainties that may arise.

The great news? Real Property Management Hometown has a team of Bryant property managers who makes it a point to communicate with both tenants and owners while clarifying lease terms and enforcing the rules if necessary. Whether you’re looking for a rental or would like us to manage your property, contact us and see how we can help you this holiday season.

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