Tenant Holiday Tips and Safety
- Dec 12, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: 22 hours ago
Holiday Cheer & Safe Celebrations
It’s here! Christmas lights, hot cocoa, family, friends, presents—all the things that make this time of year so special have finally arrived. Christmas and New Year are times of the year when so many memories are made, and people around the world come together to be just a bit more kind, just a bit more caring, and just a bit more giving to each other. This is the season when we open our hearts and lower our walls, even if just a little.
🎁 Merry Christmas 🎁
While preparing for the holidays and decorating your home is a nice time for the entire family that brings a lot of joy and fun, it can also be a bit dangerous if not properly done. As we enter this festive season, it’s worth knowing potential hazards and how to avoid them. We’ve pulled together some of the most common issues that can impact you during the run-up to Christmas, and some tips on how to address them.
Inviting Guests & Family
Celebrating with family and friends is a highlight of the holiday season, and renting shouldn't hinder this. Before planning, review your lease to prevent issues. Many leases specify guest timelines, so check the guest policy before inviting family for extended stays.
Ignoring this policy can lead to trouble. If a guest breaks this length of stay policy, you are breaching the agreement, and your landlord could assume you’re attempting to harbor an unapproved roommate. Worst case scenario, you could be setting yourself up for eviction or litigation.
Instead, opt to make sure guests are aware of the policy and will only be staying for a short length of time. The benefit of this policy? You now have a ready excuse for guests who tend to overstay their welcome; remind guests that it’s policy—not personal—so no one is offended... yep... bonus!
If you have a guest situation where you truly want or need them to stay longer, call your property manager or landlord and ask for an exception. Having a good relationship with your landlord might mean he or she is willing to allow an extended stay this time.
Related: Top 5 Most Overlooked Lease Clauses
"...before your trip... leaving the thermostat set to 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing..."
Long Holiday Trips
If your holiday plans include an extended trip, be sure to check with your landlord or property manager to ensure that everything is in place before you leave. Many states require you to notify your landlord about extended trips, and even if not legally required, your lease might include this clause.
To ensure your space is maintained while you're away and your landlord can contact you in case of an emergency, notify them of your holiday plans in advance. Check if your landlord requires any prep before your trip—such as setting the thermostat to 65 degrees to prevent pipes from freezing—to avoid potential issues with some extra planning and communication.
Holiday Pro Tip: Planning an extended getaway? A helpful guide from Flattory recommends notifying your landlord about long trips, providing emergency contact info, and clarifying lease requirements. Even if not mandatory, this simple step can protect your home while you're away.
Avoiding Theft
Thieves are looking for homes with lots of valuable holiday gifts, so don’t give them an invitation. Keep gifts out of sight from windows and don’t leave boxes from expensive electronic goodies at the curb or doorstep. Breaking down boxes, hiding them in trash bags, and waiting to place them outside until the night before trash collection is good practice.
When heading out of town, set lights on timers and pause mail or newspaper deliveries to avoid drawing attention to your absence. Another alternative is to ask a trusted family member or neighbor to collect your mail and to watch over the exterior of your home every now and then.
Holiday Pro Tip: Make your home look occupied while away. Use timers on lights, stop deliveries, and ask a trusted neighbor to collect mail—these simple actions significantly deter thieves during holiday absences.
Christmas Trees & Care
The Christmas tree is the centerpiece in many homes this time of year. There are several things you can do to make sure that it poses no danger to your apartment.
Choose a fresh live tree and keep it well-hydrated daily. It looks better and is less susceptible to fire.
Don’t place the tree near a fireplace or a heater, as it can easily catch fire.
Even a live tree is flammable due to its needles and sap.
Choose a location that you can monitor, and where you can keep an eye on small kids or pets trying to play with the tree and threatening to knock it over.
Choose decorations that are flame-retardant and non-conductive.
Do not use lighted candles for decoration and always turn off or unplug tree lights before going to bed.
If you opt for an artificial tree, go for one that is fire-resistant, as it poses less danger of catching fire.
If you were hoping for a Christmas tree but don’t have the space in your rental to host a giant pine, consider an easily removable alternative like decorating an empty wall with the outline of a tree out of washi tape. To add a bit of character, use baker’s twine to hang light ornaments along the inside of your tree, or create faux ornaments from more washi tape.
Another space-saving option is to cut out a triangle from an old pallet. Simply paint it green, create a simple “trunk” and stand from the leftover boards, and you have a unique and fun space for Santa to set all those gifts.
Other Tenant Holiday Safety Tips
Many holiday safety issues revolve around fire, electrical, and freezing safety. Be sure to take additional care during the holidays to keep you, your family, and guests safe during this cherished time of year.
Check your smoke alarms and replace batteries if needed.
Be careful with fires and candles, and don't leave them unattended.
Ensure you have emergency phone numbers handy.
Never leave the oven on unattended.
Pay attention to holiday lights; they are a source of many unintended holiday fires.
Keep a fire extinguisher handy.
Holiday Pro Tip: According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Holiday Fire Safety Guide, nearly half of all home fires in December are caused by heating, cooking, and open flames. To stay safe, test smoke alarms, supervise candles, and unplug lights before bed.
Be Prepared for the Uncertain
Finally, as much as you and your family prepare, some things are beyond your control, and you could end up with damage to your home and personal belongings. Whether it’s from thieves breaking in, guests spilling mulled wine on your carpet, or Rudolph chewing on your sofa... life happens.
You may think that getting insurance is an additional financial burden and most surely need the extra cash for holiday expenditures. Staying insured not only brings peace of mind during the holidays—it’s also easy and affordable. It’s always better to be ready and prepared than sorry. Check your insurance to make sure it's updated and you’re covered for any potential Christmas disasters, and if you need to add anything, just let your carrier know.
Enjoy the Holiday and Spread Cheer!
Perhaps the most important of all... enjoy the holiday, make memories, be kind and spread cheer. These tenant holiday tips are good for any time of year, not just the holidays. The safer the experience for you and your guests, the more likely this holiday season will become a cherished memory for everyone.
We want to wish you, your guests and your family safe and happy holidays.
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About the Author Ricardo Reis - Learn About Ricardo
Entrepreneur, Inventor, Investor, Military Veteran. Ricardo is a member of G3 Management & Investments a division of Great Lakes Real Estate and a real estate professional. He is a real estate professional and a successful real estate investor for over 15 years.
NOT INVESTMENT, FINANCIAL, LEGAL, TAX, OR OTHER ADVICE: This blog is for informational purposes only and not a substitute for professional advice. We do not offer advice, solicitation, recommendations, or endorsements. You are solely responsible for evaluating the information's merits and risks. Always consult a qualified professional before acting.
