Fireplace Addendum
One of the most overlooked addendums when it comes to property management is a fireplace addendum.
As a property management company in Fayetteville, NC, we have seen time and time again, the horrors of getting it wrong.
You can download a sample fireplace addendum at the link below. Don’t worry, you can still keep on scrolling, the sample fireplace addendum will be emailed to you.
While, in your lease agreement you may state that the renter is allowed (or not allowed) to use the fireplace, you want to spell out everything in your fireplace addendum that makes it clear as to the requirements you are looking for the maintain the fireplace.
It is not enough to simply rely your tenant’s knowing how to use the fireplace without an addendum.
As we have learned over the years, when you leave something up to the best guess of a tenant, it leaves a mound of potential problems that can happen over the long run.
Should You Use the Fireplace Addendum to Prohibit Use?
This should go without saying, but, you want to address whether you want the tenant to actually use the fireplace.
Yes, we know it’s there, but there are some things you should consider as to why you may want to limit the tenant’s ability to use the fireplace by way of the addendum.
Some things you may look in terms of if you want to allow the tenant to use the fireplace include:
- Is the fireplace actually functional;
- Are you concerned about fire damage to your property;
- Do you want to rely on tenants to be responsible for the maintenance of the fireplace;
- Are you worried about the proper storage of wood and termites and other pests in your home;
- Are you worried about a gas leak in your property;
- Are you worried about tenants burning improper material in the fireplace.
As you can see, some of these concerns can be costly, which is why you want a solid fireplace addendum to protect your property.
What Should You Include in a Fireplace Addendum?
Your fireplace addendum should include everything that you are requiring the tenant to do, or not do, based upon common practices.
Again, you don’t want to leave anything to chance with the tenant in your fireplace addendum, so it is best to be as detailed as possible.
Some of the things you want to include are:
- Use at own risk;
- Waiver of liability;
- Notification of any issues;
- Tenant responsibility for repairs;
- How the fireplace must be operated;
- Use of fireplace is not guaranteed;
- What can, and cannot be burned; and
- What happens if the tenant doesn’t comply.
As you can see, there are many things you should consider when you allow a tenant to use a fireplace in your rental property.
While a fireplace addendum is not going to protect you against all unforeseen circumstances, a fireplace addendum is a good start to protecting your property.
Free Fireplace Addendum
You don’t have to start over from scratch. You can get a free copy of a fireplace addendum at the link below.
Download yours now, and avoid preventable mistakes tenants will make if you don’t use a fireplace addendum.
The Team at Linchpin Property Management