When residents move into a new rental property, one of the initial things they typically do is put in decorative elements. This urge to personalize their rental home sometimes involves the home’s exterior as well. Numerous Evansville homeowners expect their residents to maintain the landscaping to some extent, and great residents would be more than willing. They want to take pride in their home as well, even if they don’t really own the place.
Now when your residents want to make changes to the exterior of the home, this is where things can rapidly go downhill. As the owner, you might get requests from residents hoping to make changes such as putting in new trees or plants in the yard, creating new flower beds, or transforming a corner of the yard into a vegetable garden. Other exterior changes that residents might ask for involve new exterior doors, light fixtures, or even changing the color of the house itself.
You might be tempted to permit them to make particular changes, especially if they are willing to pay for it themselves. However, it’s essential to remember that not all changes are for the good. If the resident’s handiwork is of low quality, it can really lessen your property value and your ability to rent the home in the future.
You can always request that they put the property back the way it was when they first came. However, if sod has been disturbed or plantings changed or moved, that might not be a possibility. Future residents might not want to deal with the upkeep involved in a vegetable garden as much as your current residents do, and it’s things like these that make prospective renters pass your property over for one with less maintenance.
If your rental home is situated within a homeowners’ association, there could be restrictions and further permissions that you have to follow before changes are permitted. If residents go ahead and modify the exterior of your Evansville rental property without your consent, there are appropriate next steps you will need to take. But, what do you need you to do? You could make them pay for any necessary repairs and then get an expert to fix it or you can try to make them do it themselves. Although, your top option is to employ a property management company that can both constantly monitor your properties for you and deal with unauthorized changes as they happen.
At Real Property Management Results, we understand the hassle that can develop from unauthorized changes to your property. We are committed to safeguarding your investment, and that means making sure your residents understand what unauthorized changes are and the consequences for doing them. Our property maintenance programs are designed to maximize your investment’s potential while keeping costs low. For additional information about our property management services, please contact us online or give us a call at 812-461-1676
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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.