As a rental property owner, you have to know how to keep your investment home safe. After all, your rental property is your income-generating asset. It’s also your responsibility as a landlord to provide a secure and safe place for your tenants.
That is why it’s essential to take several precautionary measures to heighten your property’s security. Your goal is to prevent potential intruders and burglars from getting access to the rental unit. Here are a few effective tips that can keep your rental home and investment safe:
Choose Your Investment Location Carefully
Location is an important factor that can greatly impact a real estate investor’s success. If you choose to invest in a location that has a high crime rate, your investment home will be more at risk for various kinds of damages. This is why it’s crucial to get to know a neighborhood before deciding to buy an investment property in the area.
The safety of the neighborhood is one of the first things that you should look into when finding a property to invest in. Visit the place first and determine whether or not the area looks safe. Also, check the crime rate in the area to make sure that it’s ideal for residents. Being able to identify the good and bad of the area will help you make an informed decision that’s best for your investment in the long term.
Follow the Safety Code of the State and City
Before renting out your property to a tenant, make sure that your investment home abides by the safety and building codes set by the state and city. Failure to comply with the safety code may lead you into legal trouble and financial losses later on. Check the landlord-tenant law and your local ordinances to ensure that everything is in order before you list your rental unit on the market.
Invest in a Reliable Security System
To keep your rental home secure and safe at all times, it’s recommended to invest in a reliable security system. Having a security system in place can also add value to your property, making it stand out among the competition. Usually, a rental home with a good security system can charge higher rent compared to other units in the same area without this essential amenity.
A good security system includes keyless access where tenants can use their own access code to access the property. Plus, you should also install security cameras, not only on the main door but also in other inconspicuous places.
Keep Your Exterior Well-lit
Motion-sensitive exterior lighting is an ideal option to keep would-be intruders away from your property, especially during the night. Make sure to install motion-sensor lighting at all entrances, as well as other places where intruders will more likely to hide.
Have Your Property Insured
Having your rental home insured is a great way to protect you from any possible damage to the property in case someone tries to break in. Make sure that you have sufficient coverage for every aspect of property loss and damage, including those that are due to accidents and theft.
Make sure to read the policy carefully and understand the terms and conditions of the coverage. Additionally, as much as possible, try to get coverage for loss of belongings in case of theft.
Perform Regular Maintenance and Repair Issues Immediately
One of the efficient ways to ensure that your property remains safe and secure is to perform regular inspections and routine maintenance. Doing so allows you to identify possible damages to the property that may compromise the home’s safety. This also allows you to provide immediate resolution so the problem won’t get more serious.
Additionally, you should address repair requests from your tenants within a reasonable timeframe. Not only is this mandatory under the law, but it can also help prevent potential security issues. For example, if tenants report a broken window, you should tend to it and have it resolved as soon as possible. A broken window can invite intruders in as it provides them with easy access if left unattended.
Invest in Smart Home Technology
The availability of advanced technology allows you to control your home even when you’re not there. If you want to add value to your rental property, you can install smart home technology so tenants can set up their homes according to their preferences even when they’re away.
Smart home technology also allows you to control your lighting even when you’re not at home. For example, if your tenants plan to go on a holiday, they can set up the lighting system to turn on and off randomly to make it appear like someone is at home.
Moreover, most smart home technology integrates with the security system for easy monitoring. If this is something that you can set a budget for, you will surely attract high-quality, long-term tenants, and your investment will pay off quickly.
Work with a Professional Property Manager
Owning a rental property can take a lot of your time because it needs to be managed properly in order to be profitable. However, seasoned rental property owners know that their time is precious. This is the reason why most experienced and successful landlords work with a rental property manager to help them take care of any issues related to their investment property
Bottom Line
Ensuring that your rental property is safe should be your top priority as a landlord. That said there are many steps involved in achieving this. If you would like help, turn to the Home Choice Property Management experts.
Our professional property managers will take care of your property management needs, from dealing with tenants’ concerns to making sure that your rental property remains safe and secure. Our property managers will also make sure all repairs and maintenance issues are addressed promptly.