Having a Thanksgiving celebration at your rental apartment or house is a great way to celebrate, but there are many things you will need to do to ensure a successful celebration and enjoy the holiday without violating your rental agreement.
With some planning and review of your rental rules, you can have a memorable celebration while staying aware of your rental agreements to avoid potential compliance issues. Read this guide to help you address some of the most common concerns associated with hosting an event, including noise and guest behavior.
Common Concerns When Hosting Thanksgiving in a Rental
Potential issues that may arise when hosting a party at a rented property are numerous, but being aware of them before the event will help you prepare accordingly. Also, note that when hosting Thanksgiving, stay calm and address concerns promptly if neighbors reach out.
Noise Complaints
There is an easy way laughter and conversations can turn into excessive noise for adjacent units. Consider your building’s quiet hour policy (usually between 9-10 PM). Also, inform your guests with regards on how important it is to keep volumes low, especially when you share walls or floors with your neighbors, to avoid receiving a complaint.
Guest Limits
You may have a limit on the number of tenants in your lease, and there may be restrictions on the number of overnight guests. If you host a big Thanksgiving party, you might unknowingly exceed the limits of your lease. Before you invite all those relatives over for dinner, count your guests and check your lease agreement to ensure you do not inadvertently breach it.
Damage to Property
The more people you have at your house, the greater the chance that something will spill on the carpet, someone will scratch the furniture, etc. You are responsible for any damage caused by your guests beyond what is considered “normal” wear and tear. You can protect your landlord’s property with tablecloths, coasters, and other protective items, while still making your indoors a fun house for Thanksgiving.
Guest Parking
If you host a big party, you will likely have an excessive number of cars parked in front of your rental property, which could make the parking lot crowded and potentially violate the guest parking rule. Let your guests know where they can park to avoid having their vehicles towed or causing problems for your neighbors.
Review your Lease Before Sending Invites
Reviewing your lease agreement must be your first step before finalizing your guest list and menu; doing so will protect you from violations. A careful review now can help avoid troublesome conversations with your landlord later.
Clarify Guest and Occupancy Policies
There are probably clauses in your lease that detail rules on how many people may live there (occupants) and how long others may visit (guests). Understanding the specifics in your lease will help ensure your get-together does not violate your lease by definition as an unauthorized “party”.
Note Specific Noise Restrictions
You will need to schedule your celebration around quiet hours as defined in your lease and/or community rules. Since many leases prohibit making “a disturbing noise”, you may make a disturbance by playing very loud music or by having an overly loud conversation that disrupts the other tenants’ ability to live in peace at any hour of the day.
Know The Rules For Common Areas
When you have the right to use common areas such as lobbies, courtyards, rooftops, etc., review the rules governing their use. It is a common lease violation to host part of your party/gathering in a common area that is not permitted for that purpose. Assume all common areas are off limits until you see it clearly stated in your lease that they are not.
Even if it’s not clearly stated, Bay Property Management Group suggests that tenants also set personal “house rules” before guests arrive. This reduces conflict between tenants and sets a clear expectation for everyone involved.
Importance of Following Fire Safety and Cooking Regulations
Holiday cooking creates increased fire risks; safety rules protect the home and neighbors, and a lease agreement can prevent a festive gathering from becoming a dangerous incident or liability. Your vigilance will be the key to a safe celebration.
Test Your Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Check all alarms before cooking to make sure they are working properly. Never disable a bleeping alarm and check for the cause. Disabling alarms during a fire is a major breach in safety and a violation of your lease agreement, potentially creating serious liability.
Practice Safe Oven and Stovetop Use
Always stay in the kitchen while cooking on the stove. Do not place flammable items, such as oven mitts and towels, near heat-producing devices (stoves, ovens, etc.). Do not overload your electrical outlets with multiple appliances at once. Grease fires are the number one cause of kitchen fires during Thanksgiving; therefore, do not leave hot oil unattended on the stove.
Maintain Clear Fire Escape Routes
All exits out of your residence must be totally free of your guest’s personal property (i.e., coats, purses, etc.) that may be blocking an exit. Your guests must know the main escape route. A blocked exit can create a significant safety hazard and/or could be a code violation and/or a violation of your rental agreement.
Conclusion
You can have a great Thanksgiving by proactively addressing potential issues in your lease agreement and with your guests, and by focusing on fire safety. A few easy actions, such as establishing designated parking and controlling excessive noise, demonstrate consideration for both your guests and your neighbors. By taking these preventive measures, you can shift your attention to giving thanks, celebrating, and having an enjoyable time with your guests and your landlord.
