Halloween is the start of the holiday season, bringing spooky decorations, costume parties, and trick-or-treaters to neighborhoods everywhere. For landlords, the season brings a couple of extra responsibilities. Between renters setting up outdoor displays, increased foot traffic, and potential fire hazards, it’s important to take a proactive approach to Halloween as a landlord.
By setting clear expectations and performing seasonal maintenance, you can help your renters enjoy the holiday while protecting your property. From lighting walkways to reviewing decorating policies and reminding renters about fire safety, small measures can make a big difference. Ensure everyone can enjoy the season responsibly by taking these Halloween safety steps.
Conduct Fall Maintenance
Before winter and the holidays set in, it’s time to do fall maintenance. It not only prepares your property for the cold but also makes sure it’s safe for your renter and anyone visiting the property, like trick-or-treaters.
In addition to typical seasonal maintenance, take these extra safety steps before Halloween:
- Ensure all exterior lighting is functional and replace burnt-out bulbs.
- Clear any pathways and the driveway of hazards to make them easily traversable.
- Check outdoor outlets and make sure they are functioning properly. They should utilize GFCI protection.
- Install nonslip treads or railings on stairs.
These preventative measures keep anyone on the property safe from getting hurt.
Send Seasonal Reminders About Modification Policies
Set clear expectations about what is and what isn’t allowed when it comes to Halloween decorations. While your modification policy should already be in the lease, it’s a good idea to send out a reminder to reinforce them. In addition, add Halloween-specific guidelines and examples to keep things festive yet safe.
Be specific and outline your policies regarding decorations to help renters celebrate safely and respectfully:
- Decide which outdoor decorations are allowed and set clear rules for their use. This may include:
- Using short stakes or weighted bases to minimize lawn damage.
- Limiting the time period decorations can be displayed.
- Restricting sound-producing, moving, or motion-activated decorations to certain hours or noise levels.
- Require decorations to be properly secured so they don’t fall or blow away and potentially hurt someone or cause property damage.
- Keep decorations where they are designed to be; outdoor items stay outdoors, and indoor items stay inside. Electronic outdoor decorations should be rated for that use.
- Practicing proper electrical safety. Use weatherproof cords designed for outdoor use when setting up any outdoor decorations.
- Ensure decorations are removable and not damage the property. Offer renter-friendly alternatives such as:
- Windows: Use clings instead of painting windows.
- Walls: Choose low-adhesive, paint-safe or wall-safe tape or Command hooks instead of nails.
- Lighting: Try laser lights instead of attaching items directly to the home’s exterior.
- Door: Use over-the-door hangers or magnetic hooks to hang anything on the door.
- Encourage respect for neighbors and shared spaces: don’t block sidewalks, access points or create disruptive displays. Landlords may suggest renters use timers or smart plugs can help manage lighting and sound.
- Keep access clear to the property and all its parts, including trash bins, mailboxes, and utility meters.
While some of these rules may seem strict, they’re generally allowable as long as they’re reasonable, clearly stated, and applied consistently. You need to balance allowing your renter to have freedom while protecting your rental and being respectful of the neighborhood.
Highlight fire safety
Fires spike around holidays due to seasonal decorating but they’re preventable. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports an average of 832 home decoration fires per year from 2019 to 2023, causing about $17 million in direct property damage annually. Use the rules below to protect your property and your renters.
A fire is a sure-fire way to ruin a holiday and any landlord’s day. This is why it is important to have comprehensive fire rules and remind renters of them as well as educating them about fire safety. Here are some Halloween fire safety tips and rules for landlords to give to renters:
- Ban open flames. Candles are out. The NFPA says candles account for about one-third of decoration-started home fires. Offer safe substitutes suggestions like LED candles and color-changing bulbs.
- Keep decorations away from heat. Nearly half (47 percent) of these fires start when decorations sit too close to heat sources, including candles, space heaters, stovetops, fireplaces, and high-watt bulbs, as found by the NFPA.
- Test smoke alarms. Replace batteries if needed and report any issues with the alarms.
Review HOA Rules
If your rental is in a neighborhood with an HOA, check for any decorating restrictions before the holidays. These often cover lighting types, exterior displays, and the duration of decorations. Communicate these guidelines clearly to your renters to ensure compliance and avoid HOA violations or fines.
Enforce Quiet Hours and Guest Policies
Halloween festivities often bring late-night parties, music, and outdoor activity that can easily cross quiet hours and noise limits. Local laws and HOAs often have ordinances that restrict loud noises and activity during nighttime hours, and most landlords include “quiet enjoyment” or quiet-hour clauses in the lease. Remind renters of these designated quiet hours, the consequences of ignoring them, and any applicable local or HOA regulations to keep celebrations respectful and compliant.
Your lease should outline clear expectations for your renter’s guests, including how long guests may stay and how many are allowed at once. Reiterate these rules before Halloween, when parties and gatherings are common. Keep in mind that some state and local laws limit how strictly you can regulate guests, so review your lease terms to ensure they comply with those laws.
Encourage Questions
Let renters know you’re available to answer any Halloween-related questions. Encourage them to contact you before making decorating or party plans. Clear communication prevents misunderstandings and keeps everyone on the same page.
Require Renters Insurance
Accidents happen, whether it’s a faulty wire in Halloween decorations to a knocked-over candle. While your landlord insurance covers the building, it doesn’t protect your renters’ personal belongings. Requiring renters insurance ensures tenants are protected if anything happens to their items.
FAQ
Can landlords restrict decorations or modifications by tenants?
Yes, landlords can set reasonable limits on decorations that may cause damage or pose safety risks. Rules should be clear and consistent, such as banning open flames, outdoor obstructions, or permanent alterations.
Who is responsible for maintaining outdoor lighting and walkways?
Landlords are typically responsible for keeping outdoor areas safe and well-lit. This includes replacing bulbs, clearing walkways, and repairing hazards. Renters should promptly report any issues to help maintain a safe property for guests and trick-or-treaters.
