Do you let people use grills at your rentals? Short and/or long term rentals? We don’t, and here’s why.
For a long time, I said we can’t have grills because of insurance reasons. This means our insurance costs less money, and that makes me feel safe. Recently, I came across a picture of a grill in front of a house (you see it here) with melted siding behind it. When I saw it, I felt relieved that we have a no-grill policy. I like knowing our place is safe, even if some guests might want to grill their favorite foods. The peace of mind this brings me is worth more than any money we might lose from guests who choose not to stay with us because of our rules.
Over the past few years, my family and I have been traveling around a lot. During our travels, we have stayed at about 20 different B&Bs. One big problem we saw in many of these places was damage from grills. We noticed that many had melted or burned spots on the walls or ceilings because of the heat and flames from the grills. This kind of damage can be very expensive to fix, and it could also make a rental property look unappealing to future guests.
That’s why we decided to have a strict no-grill policy at our rental properties, whether they are short-term or long-term. Instead of grills, we provide a gas fire pit for our guests to use at our B&B. It offers a fun way to enjoy the outdoors without the risks associated with a grill. We want our guests to have a great time while staying with us, but we also need to keep our property safe and in good condition.
For our long-term renters, we enforce a strict rule: no grills, no smokers, no fire pits, and no deep fryers. If tenants are caught using these items, they have to pay a $50 fine for each day they break the rule. This policy helps us keep the property safe and prevents potential damage. While it might seem strict, it’s important for us to protect our investment and maintain the quality of our rentals.
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Even though we don’t allow grills at our B&B, we once had a guest who brought a huge five-burner grill with a propane tank. This was surprising because it clearly went against our rules. It made me think about how different people have different ideas about what’s acceptable when it comes to grilling while renting a space.
Now, I want to hear from other property owners! What do you do about grills, smokers, or fire pits at your rental properties? Do you have a policy in place, or have you thought about creating one? It’s a great topic to discuss, especially among fellow landlords and property owners.
This is something my wife and I talk about often. We have found that some people in the W2 Capitalist Community are surprised to learn that we don’t allow grills or fire pits at our properties. For me, it’s all about keeping our places safe and looking nice. It also means we can avoid costly repairs down the road.
In addition to peace of mind, having a clear policy helps set expectations for our guests. When they know the rules before they arrive, it can help prevent misunderstandings and conflicts during their stay. If guests have questions about our rules, we can explain our reasoning behind them, such as how they help maintain the property’s condition.
If you’re thinking about making a rule for your rentals, remember that having the right policies in your leases can help that newly acquired BRRRR to be managed easier, and keep them safe, too.
The BRRRR method focuses on buying, renovating, renting, refinancing, and repeating the process. When you apply this method, you want to ensure your rental property remains in excellent condition throughout each stage. A clear policy on grills, fire pits, and other potentially damaging items can be a part of this process.
Ultimately, we want our guests to have a wonderful experience while also protecting our investment. We believe that our no-grill policy is a small price to pay for the peace of mind it provides us as property owners.
So, what’s your policy? Are you thinking about allowing grills or fire pits? Share your thoughts and experiences! I’d love to hear how you handle these situations at your rental properties.
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