As the holiday season approaches, many residential tenants begin to think about decorating their homes. For apartment renters, this can present unique challenges and potential hazards for landlords and property owners.
Connect CRE recently spoke with Ashlee Friedmann, Managing Director of FirstService Residential’s Multifamily Rental Division, about what landlords and property managers should consider when it comes to tenant holiday decorations.
Connect CRE: Why is it important for landlords or property managers to have decoration rules? Do tenants see this as unfair?
Ashlee Friedmann: Not at all. In my experience managing buildings that are 10-20 stories tall, safety is a top priority. This means not allowing decorations or lights on the outside of windows. If residents want to put up lights on their balconies, we encourage them to secure them properly in order to avoid hazards in windy conditions and ensure a safe environment for everyone during the holidays.
Aesthetics also play a role in our decoration rules. Many building managers prefer a uniform look throughout common areas like hallways and discourage decorations on doors that could clutter these spaces or pose safety risks.
Connect CRE: Speaking of safety risks, what are some things that landlords and managers need be aware of?
Ashlee Friedmann : In New York City specifically , fire department inspections can happen without warning . We educate our staff members so they know what signs indicate potential hazards such as blocking stairwells , emergency exits , or hallways which could impede evacuation during an emergency . These items must be removed immediately if found by inspectors .
Christmas trees also pose potential dangers – nearly half of Christmas tree fires in NYC are caused by defective lighting cords/plugs (whether natural/real). While we cannot force tenants into purchasing certain types o f trees , we do recommend artificial ones labeled as flame retardant . If someone wants real tree s instead though – they should choose one carefully based off its freshness level & remove it from their unit before it becomes dry/brittle.
Connect CRE: How can property owners, managers and tenants work together to ensure everyone is happy with holiday décor?
Ashlee Friedmann : It’s important for management to find a balance between the owner’s vision for the property and the sense of community among residents. Some may have different opinions on how they want their building decorated. Our job as managers is to make sure everyone feels satisfied with their living space while also keeping safety in mind at all times.
The post Holiday Décor Tips for Multifamily Property Managers and Landlords: Q&A With FirstService Residential’s Ashlee Friedmann appeared first on Connect CRE .
