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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 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 as comfortable as possible. For example, most of the guests staying in your home would want access to your Wi-Fi. By writing down your password and handing it to them when they arrive, you can make 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. 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.

Another nice act you can do is to write a list of 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, see to it that their sleeping space has 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 a gracious host doing everything to make your guests comfortable, you also need to remember your responsibilities as a tenant. Virtually all landlords understand that when one celebrates the holidays, there will be holiday parties and guests that attend them. So, to make sure things don’t get out of hand, they’ve 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. The last thing you want is for your neighbors to complain to your landlord or the local authorities, ruining your holiday.

The main rule of planning holiday get-togethers and parties is to keep them within reason. Observe local noise ordinances and quiet hours during the night. Do everything you can 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 might be better to keep the number of guests somewhat small to remain in the good graces of your neighbors or your landlord.

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 and be counted as an unauthorized tenant, creating a great deal of trouble for you. If you’re unclear 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 great strategy for anything that you find unclear.

The fantastic news? Real Property Management Washington DC has a team of H Street Corridor property managers who knows how crucial it is 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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