Residents often put in decorative elements when residents initially move into a new rental home. This urge to personalize their rental home sometimes involves the home’s exterior as well. Many Ballard property owners expect their residents to take care of the landscaping to some degree, in which quality residents are willing to do so. Residents like to take pride in their home even if they don’t actually own it.
Once your residents want to make changes to the exterior of the home, things can rapidly go downhill. Residents might send requests to make modifications like creating new flower beds, putting in new plants or trees in the yard, or turning a portion of the yard into a vegetable garden. Other exterior changes that residents might ask for involve new exterior light fixtures, doors, or even replacing the color of the house itself.
You might be convinced to let them do certain changes if they are willing to cover the costs themselves, but you have to remember that not all changes are good. If the resident’s handiwork is low quality, it could really bring down your property values and your ability to get renters in the future.
You can always request that they restore the property to the way it was when they first came. However, if sod has been disturbed or plantings changed or moved, that may not be a possibility. Future residents may not want to deal with the maintenance required by a vegetable garden as much as your current residents do, which can make potential renters pass your property over for one that needs less upkeep. If your rental home is situated within a homeowners’ association, there could be limitations and further permissions that you have to follow before changes are permitted.
If residents go ahead and modify the exterior of your Ballard rental property without your permission, there are appropriate next steps you have to take. But, what do you need you to do? You can charge them for any necessary repairs and then hire someone to fix it or you can try to make your residents repair it. However, your best choice is to get a property management company that can not only consistently supervise your properties for you but also take care of unauthorized changes as they occur.
At Real Property Management Eclipse, we understand the hassles that can develop from unauthorized changes to your property. We are dedicated to protecting your investment, and that means ensuring your residents understand what is considered unauthorized changes and the consequences for doing them. Our property maintenance programs are designed to maximize the potential of your investment while keeping costs low. For more information about our property management services, please contact us online or give us a call at 425-209-0252 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.
