One of the best things about the holiday season is that you get to see your family and friends. When you are a renter and those loved ones come to visit, however, there are some things that you should know. These important things ensure that the visit would be comfortable and that it doesn’t violate the terms of your lease. These points fall in either of the two groups. The first one is making your friends and family feel welcome during the holiday. The second one is knowing the responsibilities you have as a tenant when guests visit. With these points, you have a way of maintaining 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 example, a lot of your guests— especially the ones staying in your home— 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 feel that they lack nothing. 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. Preparing for your guests’ breakfast preferences goes a long way to making them feel comfortable. And by simply adding a basket filled with items like extra toilet paper, clean towels, toiletries, feminine products, and even a hairdryer, they would be able to sense the care you’ve given when receiving them. This act would even spare them from embarrassment in case they forgot to bring their personal hygiene products.
A nice gesture would be to list down the nearby amenities or attractions. When you offer a list of local sites of interest, you’re helping your guests have a little fun during their stay without feeling wholly reliant on you. As for their sleeping arrangements, provide them with a sleeping space with all the comforts they’ll need to settle in. Also, for the tenants without an extra bedroom, offering a comfortable air mattress, chair for clothing, a lamp or nightlight, and a fan will help everyone rest easy.
Now as you do your part as a gracious host to make your guests feel welcomed, 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. Because of this, 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 would be best to keep the number of your guests somewhat small. This will avoid angering your neighbors or your landlord.
Lastly, be sure to 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 thought of as an unauthorized tenant, creating a load of trouble 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 the best solution for any questions that may arise.
The great news? Real Property Management Insight has a team of Blacksburg property managers who make it a priority 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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