Landlords face various internal and external threats to their rental property businesses. Physical threats can range in nature from vandalism by outsiders to fire hazards within the building. Some tenants can also pose varying internal threats, most commonly failing to comply with the rental agreement and refusal to pay rent.
Fortunately, there are many effective ways to protect your rental business from these threats. Here are six tips to get you started.
Physical Protection
Here are four efficient ways to protect your rental property and tenants from internal and external threats:
1. CCTV Surveillance
CCTV surveillance is a standard security measure for rental and commercial property. The cameras serve several functions, including acting as a deterrent against would-be intruders and tenants trying to engage in illegal activities. Most importantly, the footage from the cameras can help solve cases of problems such as theft and vandalism.
It is worth noting that the cameras shouldn’t infringe on your tenants’ privacy. Ideally, they should only be installed in public areas.
2. Proper Lighting
Criminals prefer operating under cover of darkness, and lighting functions as a deterrent. Lighting is also necessary to support other security measures such as CCTV surveillance. It is also an essential amenity for your tenants’ overall safety and convenience, as they need to see where they are going. As such, install lighting in all public spaces inside and outside the building.
3. Fast Emergency Response
Fast response to threats such as fires can help minimize damages to your property and the danger to the tenants and their belongings. It is advisable to install an alarm system to notify the tenants and the general public of dangers such as fire and flooding. It is also prudent to post emergency numbers and call the relevant authorities as soon as something goes wrong.
4. Secure Doors & Windows
Criminals will take advantage of unsecured doors and windows to gain entry into the building. Fortunately, there are several ways to secure these points of entry. Think about installing:
- Doors made of strong, heavy-duty material
- An intercom system to ensure that no one gets in without permission
- Deadbolt locks and alternative locking systems
- Security bars on the windows.
It is also important to ensure that your tenants can come and go without trouble in spite of these and other security measures. This requires a versatile locking system accessible only to your tenants.
Legal Protection
Problematic tenants can exploit the law to live in your property without paying taxes or going against your policies. Fortunately, you can protect yourself and your property by implementing the following measures:
1. Tenant Screening
The best way to avoid problematic tenants is by not letting them into your property in the first place. You can do this by screening each tenant for past criminal behavior. You can also ask the tenants to comply with a soft inquiry into their credit report to guarantee that they can keep up with the rental payments, especially if you manage high-end rental properties.
It is advisable to get a professional agency to rent the tenants on your behalf. These agencies don’t miss anything and will save you a lot of time and work.
2. Detailed Rental Agreement
Ensure that the rental agreement covers everything, including sensitive issues such as having pets on the property. Additionally, ask your tenants to familiarize themselves with the agreement and sign it before closing the deal. Your tenants are legally required to comply with the rental agreement.
Conclusion
Protecting your rental property from internal and external threats will protect your investment and put your mind at ease. Landlord Station can help you protect your property from internal threats by screening your tenants and flagging potentially problematic ones. Get in touch today to learn more about how we can help.
