Open flames and fire hazards. Heavy-duty decorations. Glitter. Friends with pets. Friends with pets that urinate on your carpet.
If there’s one thing the festive season is sure to challenge, it’s keeping the holiday spirit alive while respecting the terms of your lease agreement… add a merry cocktail or two to the mix, and the joy of entertaining in your rental could quickly become a new years’ landlord dispute.
In the spirit of celebrating smart, we’ve listed the four common December rental disputes and how to avoid them, so that every tenant can enjoy the holidays (without any nasty post-season surprises!).
1. Decking the halls, damaging walls
Those indoor lights strung on Command hooks probably seemed like a brilliant temporary fix at first… until the summer heat melts the strips onto the walls, removing the paint and leaving you with a pretty ugly mistake. And while this kind of damage might seem minor at the time, it could end up violating your lease agreement in certain situations.
If it’s a winter wonderland you’re trying to create outdoors, be mindful that tangled cords and overloaded outlets might not only disrupt the neighbours, but also present a significant safety hazard. Best to keep your setup simple, opt for risk-free solutions that don’t require any modifications to your rental home – and better yet, seek permission from your landlord first.
2. From sparkle to smoke
Love the glow of a Christmas candle, but concerned about the open flames while hosting? It might be wise to trade in for some LED candles and lights for a safer option. It’s bushfire season, so keep in mind that although landlords are responsible for installing fire alarms at the rental, tenants are responsible for checking alarms are in working order (and replacing batteries if needed).
3. Overflowing guests & late night laughter
Let’s be real, Christmas is a time for celebrating with loved ones. If you’re planning to host in your rental home, check the occupancy terms within your lease agreement prior, let your neighbours know in advance, and keep your guest count reasonable. After-hours commotion (yep, even on Christmas and New Year’s!) has the potential to lead to unwanted noise complaints.
Those indoor lights strung on Command hooks probably seemed like a brilliant temporary fix at first… until the summer heat melts the strips onto the walls, removing the paint and leaving you with a pretty ugly mistake. And while this kind of damage might seem minor at the time, it could end up violating your lease agreement in certain situations.
4. Holiday cheer… and rental arrears
With presents purchased, places to go and events to attend, it’s easy to lose track of your rent – but nothing should take priority over paying bills on time.
To uphold your lease agreement and a good relationship with your landlord, it’s vital that you meet your rental payments over the holiday season to avoid falling into arrears or risking your tenancy altogether.
If you find yourself in financial trouble, your landlord may be open to a flexible payment arrangement – speak to your property manager first if you think you may miss a deadline.
Prudential Real Estate Macquarie Fields | (02) 9605 5333 | macquariefields@prudential.com.au
Prudential Real Estate Narellan | (02) 4624 4400 | narellan@prudential.com.au
