Haunted houses are incredibly popular this time of year, and they can be a quick money-maker for vacant commercial facilities. If you own a vacant lot or building with plenty of space, you can rent it for a few weekends in October to earn income and make your location memorable to the community. However, there are several precautions you should take to ensure a safe rental for the haunted house company.
Depending on how long your facility has been vacant, you will need to invest in several maintenance tasks to prepare it. The haunted house company will be looking for a safe and spacious environment. Most will also be looking for a climate-controlled space with restrooms for employee changing, makeup, and guest comfort. The better you can present your vacant space, the better chance you have of being the haunted house hot spot for your community.
Below are a few of the maintenance tasks you should plan before setting up your facility for a haunted house.
Schedule HVAC maintenance
The workers at a haunted house are typically dressed up in elaborate costumes with special effects makeup on for hours. They need a cool, comfortable environment to keep the fun going, which means using the A/C all night. If your vacant facility has not had an HVAC checkup in a while, be sure to schedule one before the week of the haunted house opening.
Update Your Restrooms
Haunted houses often use restrooms and back rooms for employees to get dressed and do makeup. They will need a clean, comfortable, and spacious place, as well as working restrooms for guests. If your vacant lot has not been seen by a plumber in the past year, call your local MaintenX technician to come out for an audit.
Clean Up Outdoor Spaces
The outdoor space is not only the first thing guests will see, but it will be the primary representation of your commercial space. The building may be decorated for the haunted house company, but the outdoor area will represent your facility and should therefore make a great first impression. Some haunted houses will also utilize the outdoor space for their experience, so it’s important that the area is safe for visitors.
Fire and Electrical Safety Maintenance
Due to COVID-19 restrictions, there will likely be a limited capacity for haunted houses. However, that does not mean you should neglect your fire and electrical safety measures. Contact your MaintenX electrician for an audit to ensure there are no electrical hazards within your building.
COVID-19 has hurt many businesses, but a haunted house rental may help you gain extra income on your vacant lot and come into 2021 stronger. For more information on vacant facility maintenance, contact your local MaintenX team today!
