As a landlord, one of your top responsibilities is keeping your tenants safe. That means your rental property should be properly maintained and all damaged components repaired or replaced as soon as possible. But many property owners lack the skills and knowledge to ensure their rental properties are safe for tenants.
Property safety is not something that is left to chance. That’s why state and local governments have policies in place to ensure all housing, whether private or public, meet safety standards. Properties have to be inspected regularly, and records such as an electrical installation condition report are required for continued operation.
Whether it’s replacing broken smoke detectors, repairing broken water pipes, or protecting against break-ins, ensuring that your property is safe can be a daunting task.
1. Identify possible fire hazards
You probably already have smoke detectors installed in every unit of your property. But you can take things one step further and take proactive measures to protect against fires. The simplest thing you can do to avoid house fires is to understand what causes them. Some of the most common causes of fires include cooking, heating, and smoking.
2. Secure points of entry
Many landlords secure the main entrance with door locks, a doorman, a buzzer system, or a combination of all three. But you also need to extend the same protection to individual units. Make sure that each entrance door can be secured with a deadbolt. Double-cylinder locks are more expensive but offer more security.
You can also improve security by using metal entrance doors. Avoid wooden doors or doors with windows as they can easily be broken. And for added protection, you can even place door jammers. Make sure to keep spare key copies in case your tenants lock themselves out.
3. Check the windows
So you’ve secured the doors. The next thing you should check is the windows. Windows often have internal locks that prevent people from opening them from the outside. However, you can easily break the windowpane with a hard object, rendering the locking mechanism useless.
To combat this risk, you can use shatterproof glass for your windows. You can also install sensors to alert you or your tenants to attempted intrusions.
4. Invest in a security system
A security system isn’t exactly cheap, but if you manage a large rental property with lots of tenants, it’s one of the best ways to keep the complex secure. There are many kinds of security systems out there, so you can choose one based on your needs and resources. A basic security system should have motion-activated lights, smoke alarms, and entry sensors.
5. Put up warning signs
Something as simple as warning signs can dissuade potential intruders from targeting your property. Placing stickers of a security system in strategic places can prevent burglary, even if you don’t have a security system in place.
Rental property management can provide you with a steady source of income for decades to come. However, you also have a responsibility to your tenants to keep them safe. That means you need to take the proper precautions to ensure your property is safe and secure.
