Should you provide outdoor furniture for your Pembroke Pines rental property? If it has a porch or patio, but no furniture, you may be thinking about some. It’s a fact that classy outdoor space does help add value to a rental home’s curb appeal. However, before you start buying, there are a few things you need to consider. You see, every rental property is different, and so there is no one-size-fits-all answer.
Besides, there is no hard and fast rule on whether outdoor furniture is the right choice for you and your tenants, depending on the climate and location. Then, there is the matter of cost and maintenance related to the upkeep of outdoor furniture. That’s why it is necessary to consider all potential benefits and drawbacks before giving outdoor furniture to your tenants.
The First Thing To Consider About Outdoor Furniture.
Possibly, the first thing to consider before you provide outdoor furniture is how long it will last. And that holds for most things before spending money on anything for your rental home. As a smart landlord, you must first determine whether that investment will pay for itself. Part of this procedure is figuring out the life expectancy for any furniture items you plan to purchase. Unlike other elements of your investment property, you can use no one number.
The lifespan of your outdoor furniture varies, depending on materials, construction, daily wear, and maintenance. Higher-quality, aka more expensive furniture, will probably outlast cheaper options, but bear in mind that heavy use shortens the life of every type of outdoor furniture. Now throw in the Florida climate with its rain, humidity, and salty air! And what if your tenant never cares for the furniture, dirt, rust, or sun and rain can easily transform beautiful furniture into an eyesore.
Other Considerations For Outdoor Furniture.
Before you provide outdoor furniture to tenants in your rental property, check if the backyard and your property’s location are suitable for it. Cluttering up an already small patio or porch with large furniture items will hardly serve the purpose. Just as adding multiple small pieces to a large space will not contribute to the intended functionality or design objectives. Either option might end up making your property’s outdoor spaces look disorderly rather than inviting.
Moreover, you need to take into account how tenants mostly use their outdoor space. The correct choice of outdoor furniture must not only serve that need, but it should also complement the house. Some choices of materials may look ideal in Florida, given its tropical plant life, while others may be better suited to colder climes. Before picking out your new patio furniture or storage shed, understand whether it is an injury lawsuit waiting to occur. For instance, metal furniture gets very hot in the sun and causes serious burns, especially during the summer. Poorly designed and unstable furniture items can tip over and also result in unwanted injuries and lawsuits.
Providing Outdoor Furniture – The Tenant Perspective.
Before splashing out on stylish, durable pieces perfect for your patio and transforming your outdoor space, get your tenant’s perspective. Sometimes, tenants may already have some patio and other outdoor items, so maybe they do not need the furnishings you’re offering. Investing in furniture, in this case, may result in an unnecessary problem for you. Where to store the unused furniture?
On the other hand, tenants may decide to “decorate” the porch or patio with furniture if there is none provided. Adding a sofa or other furniture items that are not designed for outdoor use in your rental house can quickly become a problem. Not only will the fabric invite bugs and mold, but it will also start to look and smell terrible in a short amount of time with the high Florida humidity.
There is also the risk of attracting rodents and other pests to such a property and creating an unnecessary health hazard for tenants and neighbors alike. However, if your rental property comes with suitable outdoor furniture, it negates this risk. And this significantly reduces the chances that your tenant will add furniture of their own, not suited for the purpose.
How Can We Help?
All things considered, providing outdoor furniture to your tenants is a question only you can answer. But with the right information and some careful research, you can quickly decide which route makes sense for your Pembroke Pines rental property. If you need quality advice on outdoor furniture or even someone to manage your Pembroke Pines rental property, reach out to Real Property Management Premier! Contact us online or call us at 954-362-5235 today.
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