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

Grandparents Visiting for ChristmasOne 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 a few things you’ll need to consider. This would not only ensure that their visit would be a nice and comfortable one but also that it does not 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 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. Likewise, when you provide each guest with detailed instructions on how to get to your house, including any necessary gate codes, you’re removing any uncertainty on their part. This would be a very welcome gesture and they would be grateful for it.

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. Something you can do is to provide some breakfast options they can choose from as well as 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 any embarrassing situations in case they happen to forget some of their personal hygiene products.

A welcome gesture would be to build 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, 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.

As you do what you can to make your guests feel comfortable, you also need to remember your responsibilities as a tenant. Practically all landlords know that holiday parties and the guests that attend them are part and parcel of celebrating the holidays. This is why a lot of them purposely included specific language in your lease that restricts the number of guests and the length of time that any guest can stay. Consequently, it is important to know the terms of your lease before making any holiday plans. Nothing is worse than having your neighbors 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 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.

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 regarded as an unauthorized tenant. This would create a whole slew of problems for you. If you’re unsure 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 Dominion has a team of Hampton 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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