One really great thing that the holiday season gives us is the chance to meet our family and friends again. When you are a renter and those loved ones come to visit, however, there are some points that you have to take note of. These things would not only ensure that their visit is pleasant but also that it doesn’t violate the terms of your lease. These points can be grouped into two. The first one is making your friends and family feel welcome during the holiday. The second one is understanding your responsibilities as a tenant when guests visit. With these points, you can 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 comfortable. 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 taking a piece of paper and writing down your password before they arrive, you can make getting online a whole lot easier and more convenient for them. 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.
The moment your guests are in your home, you’d want them to have a sense that everything they need is available to them and they lack nothing. Accordingly, having a variety of breakfast options to choose from will really make them feel welcome, as well as giving them an assortment of little necessities. Catering to your guests’ breakfast preferences really makes them feel the care you’ve put into welcoming them. Then when you add a basket filled with items like extra toilet paper, clean towels, toiletries, feminine products, and even a hairdryer, you go the extra mile and may spare them from embarrassing situations in case they forget some of their personal hygiene products.
There’s another nice thing you can do for them. Create a list of nearby amenities or attractions. This allows your guests to plan to have a little fun visiting local sites of interest during their stay without feeling wholly reliant on you. As for their sleeping arrangements, give them a sleeping space with all the comforts they’ll need to settle in. Also, for the tenants without an extra bedroom, placing 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 know that holiday parties and the guests that attend them are a given when celebrating the holidays, that’s why many of them included specific language in your lease that restricts the number of guests and the length of time that any guest can stay. That is why it is important to know the terms of your lease before making any holiday plans. The last thing you want is for your neighbors to complain to your landlord or the local authorities, ruining your holiday.
The general rule is when you’re planning holiday get-togethers and parties, try to keep them within reason. Observe local noise ordinances and quiet hours during the night. Make every 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 small to keep your neighbors or 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 end up being thought of as an unauthorized tenant, and that would just get you in a whole lot of trouble. 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 the best solution for any questions that may arise.
The wonderful news? Real Property Management Charleston has a team of North Charleston 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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