Bonfire Night could cause £1,500 in property damages
New research from Adiuvo, the UK’s leading provider of 24/7 property management support, warns that Bonfire Night could cost renters an average of £1,475 in property damage if proper care is not taken, but that with a few simple safety checks in place, the much-loved evening of celebration and community can go off without a hitch.
The research highlights the types of property damage most commonly seen during and after Bonfire Night celebrations* and the cost commonly associated with repairing said damage.
Common Bonfire Night mishaps
One of the most common mishaps during Bonfire Night is stray fireworks burning or damaging fencing panels. Replacing fences is expensive, with an average cost of £200 per panel, so you’re going to want to take real precautions not to let fireworks fly off course.
Roof tiles can also be dislodged by fireworks, with replacement costs averaging £75 per tile, while garden furniture is another casualty of the festivities, with replacement sets costing an average of around £285.
Bonfires themselves can wreak havoc on outdoor spaces. A scorched or burnt lawn may require a complete re-turfing which can cost an average of £385. Sheds, meanwhile, can be completely destroyed by an out-of-control fire, which cost £300 or more to replace.
Then you’ve got to account for broken or cracked windows from fireworks that can cost around £100 to replace, while gutters blocked with leaves can catch stray sparks, leading to potential fires and repair costs of about £45 per metre.
Even the interior of a property is not immune from Bonfire fun. Muddy shoes and party traffic can ruin carpets, with cleaning costs starting from £50 to £85 – much higher if a replacement carpet is needed.
All in all, you’re looking at potential damages in the region of £1,475 from these common mishaps.
Worst-case scenario
It’s also worth considering that when you’re dealing with large fires, things can easily get out of control, leading to worst-case-scenarios that are not only life-threatening, but also incredibly damaging.
Something relatively minor like smoke damage to interior walls might cost as much as £3,000 to repair, but if there is extreme fire and structural damage, you can be on the hook for £50,000 or more.
Guidance for renters on staying safe this Bonfire Night
Aduivo advises tenants to take a number of precautions before celebrating Bonfire Night at home.
Check your tenancy agreement
Before you go ahead with your plans, you should start by checking your tenancy agreement, as many will explicitly prohibit bonfires or fireworks on property grounds. This means you could be evicted if the party is discovered.
Even if the tenancy agreement doesn’t expressly prohibit fireworks or bonfires, it could well have a clause that prohibits nuisance or antisocial behaviour, which can reasonably include loud fireworks or unsafe bonfires.
Consider attending an organised event
With safety always the top concern, the Fire Brigade recommends attending organised events rather than hosting private displays, so this should always be option number one.
Bonfires in particular carry significant risk, especially when poorly managed by people with little prior experience.
Noise and distress are other key considerations. Fireworks can be disruptive to neighbours, pets, and the elderly. If you still plan to go ahead with a home celebration, be careful to alert your neighbours and carefully plan the time and duration of displays to help maintain good community relations and avoid unnecessary conflict.
Bonfire placement
Preparation is essential. A bonfire must be positioned well away from the home, fencing, sheds, and plants. It’s almost inevitable that the grass will get scorched and need replacing, so budgeting for this in advance is advisable. Those wishing to minimise risk could opt for a fire pit or brazier instead.
Don’t forget the interior
Protecting indoor areas during parties is another sensible precaution. Using plastic sheeting near entrances and adopting a ‘no shoes’ rule can prevent carpets from being damaged by mud and debris. This small measure could save hundreds of pounds in cleaning or replacement costs.
Take care of your guests
As the tenant of the property, you are responsible for the safety of your guests. Taking care with fire safety, checking smoke alarms, and ensuring any bonfires are properly extinguished are all vital steps in preventing accidents. You are also responsible for the actions of your guests, so do your best to make sure everyone is behaving sensibly and not increasing the risk of accidents or incidents.
Colin Stokes, Founder and MD of Adiuvo, commented:
“Bonfire Night should be an enjoyable occasion, but we see every year how easily things can go wrong when people let their guard down. A few simple checks and responsible actions can prevent thousands of pounds’ worth of damage and protect both homes and relationships with neighbours and landlords.
Landlords need to be aware that, even if their tenants are not technically allowed to have bonfire celebrations at home, some may still choose to, and when something goes wrong, their property manager is often going to be the first person they call – for better or worse. It’s vital that when this happens, someone is there to answer the call and respond quickly. While the cost of negligent damage can of course be reclaimed from the tenant, you still don’t want things getting worse than they need to simply because you weren’t able to begin remediation as quickly as you should.”
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