If you pay your rent on-time each month, you should be able to do as you please right? Not exactly, some rules might take you by surprise.
Personal grills
When summer rolls around pulling out the grill may be at the top or your list. But, several apartments do not allow charcoal or propane grills on the patio or balcony. They are considered a fire hazard. Many leases don’t allow you to have any fire hazards within 25 feet or more of the building. If the fire department makes a surprise inspection of the community, they will fine the landlord for any infractions. The landlord will pass that cost on to you. But, that doesn’t mean your outdoor grilling days are over. Ask your property manager if you can use an outdoor electric grill.
Decorations
As far as the inside of your apartment goes, you have plenty of freedom with your décor. If you don’t have any fire hazards most leases allow you to decorate however you want. However, your patio or balcony is a different story. Many leases have strict rules regarding the decorations on the outside of the unit. They require a certain amount of uniformity outdoors to keep the property looking nice. The landlord does not want anything that would risk devaluing the property. If your community has an HOA there are typically strict rules in place for outdoor decorations.
Tomato plants
There is nothing better than homegrown tomatoes. But, tomato plants are heavy and require a substantial amount of water. If you have a leaky pot and a wooden balcony that can be a recipe for disaster. Rotting wood beneath a heavy plant can cause damage to your balcony and potentially your downstairs neighbor’s balcony too.
Your pet’s weight
Most apartments allow you to have pets, provided you sign the pet addendum and pay the deposit. But, they don’t allow just any animal. Many apartment complexes do not allow pets over 25 pounds to reside in the community. They will sometimes restrict dog breeds and types of allowable animals for that reason.
Motorcycles
You may be scratching your head wondering why your landlord won’t allow your motorcycle. If it’s your primary source of transportation that may cause some big problems. Motorcycles have their own insurance policy since they are a statistically higher risk. Your renter’s insurance may not cover property damage from a motorcycle. But, it doesn’t hurt to ask the landlord if you can keep the motorcycle provided you purchase a quality Property Damage Liability Insurance policy. These policies cover several different property aspects like flag poles, mailboxes, utility poles, garages and much more.
Trailers
Like motorcycles, many leases do not allow trailers because they carry additional liability. Your auto insurance may cover a trailer, but it’s not guaranteed. You would need to ask your agent. If the rule is in place for liability reasons, proof of trailer insurance might win your landlord over. Make sure you have a good policy that covers any damage to property, the trailer, and your belongings.
Noise
You may love to throw a party that goes well into the night, but your neighbors may not like that. Many leases have stated ‘quiet hours’. It’s the time when things should be winding down so those who wish too can get some sleep. You don’t have to be completely silent during quiet hours you can still live your life. It is just required that you keep the noise down, so you don’t disrupt your neighbors.
Living in an apartment community isn’t just about paying the rent. It’s just as much about living in a community with close neighbors. You also have a landlord who must do what he or she can to decrease liabilities on the property. Though they may catch you off guard, these surprising rules exist for the good of everyone.
