Everyone wants to feel safe while living in their home. One of your responsibilities as a landlord is to make your tenants feel safe when they are renting your property. Not only are you keeping your tenants safe, but you are also protecting your property from harm.
Fortunately, securing your property in Amelia Island is easier than you think!
By the end of this article, you’ll have ten easy ways to ensure your property is safe and secure for both you and your tenants.
Secure the Doors
What’s the one thing that protects your tenants from the outside world when they’re in your property? The doors.
If your exterior doors are not secure, it leaves your tenants and your property vulnerable to intruders and burglars. Make sure the locks on the doors work and that they close properly.
Add even more protection with deadbolts, which are much safer than merely relying on a doorknob’s lock. You might also consider adding a peephole in the door, so your tenants can see who’s knocking.
If you own a multi-unit property in Amelia Island, you’ll want to secure interior doors as well. Doors to apartment units should also have deadbolts or chain locks for security.
Add an Intercom or Smart Doorbell
Upgrade your rental property’s security with high-tech items such as an intercom system or a smart doorbell.
An intercom is perfect for rental units in a larger building. This allows tenants to know who is at the door without going to the front door and letting someone potentially dangerous into the building.
The most effective intercoms offer video communications so tenants can actually see who is at the door.
Another piece of technology you can install to secure your rental property in Amelia Island is a smart doorbell. This is another intercom-like system, but ideal for single-family homes. Some doorbells even let residents record video footage – perfect if packages seem to go missing often.
Secure the Windows
Windows are another vulnerable entry point in rental homes. If windows are not secured, intruders can easily come into the property, especially if the unit is on the building’s first or second floor.
Make sure the locks on your windows are effective and in good working condition.
For even more protection, you can offer to install bars on the windows if your tenants wish. Some may decline your offer due to the look of them, though.
Get Smart Locks
The future of locks is a keyless entry!
These digital locks require tenants to input a code to get into their buildings. Some also require a specific key fob along with the code for even more security.
These smart locks are great for when tenants move out at the end of their lease. You can simply change the code to ensure your previous tenants don’t have access to the property anymore.
It’s also beneficial for tenants who tend to lose their keys often. They just have to remember the code and will never be locked out again. This is also good news for you because you won’t be bothered with having to call a locksmith or bringing them keys again.
Collect All Keys at the End of a Lease
Never let your tenants walk away with a set of keys to your rental property after they move out. While your tenants may be trustworthy and were a pleasure to have, you never want spare keys floating around.
You never know whose hands those keys could end up in. When your tenants move out, meet them to check the apartment and collect their keys. It may take a few hours out of your day, but it will make your rental property much more secure.
Illuminate Dark Spots
When your tenants come home at night, they don’t want to feel encompassed by the dark as they shuffle to fit their keys in the door. It creates a nervous feeling and induces fear.
Prevent these feelings of fear by adding exterior lights to your rental property. They should be motion sensors and brighten up the darkest spots. It’s also a good idea to have a light at the front door too.
Not only will this help your tenants when they arrive home at night, but it will deter intruders from entering the property.
Install a Security System
Installing a security system is one of the most effective ways of securing your rental property in Amelia Island. These monitored systems will directly call emergency services if the alarm goes off.
Having a security system will make your tenants feel much safer. If you’re worried about the extra expense of paying for a security company to monitor your rental, you can give that option to your tenants.
Add a Security Camera
Adding a security camera is another easy way to secure your rental property. If anything were to ever happen, you will have recorded footage of the incident. This can aid in any investigation and bring closure to the incident faster.
Some landlords even choose to add a fake security camera outside of their rental home. Just the presence of one can keep an intruder from breaking into the property.
It is recommended to choose a real camera, though. It offers more security and is much more helpful if something does happen.
Encourage Tenants to Get Renters Insurance
An extra way to secure your rental property is to encourage your tenants to purchase a renters insurance policy. This policy will protect their belongings if they are stolen or damaged.
It also protects you as a landlord. While your liability insurance may cover some incidents, a renters insurance policy can offer additional coverage if someone is injured in the property due to your tenant’s actions.
Conduct Thorough Tenant Screenings
You want to protect your rental property at all costs. So, make sure to thoroughly screen your tenants before leasing to them. This can prevent a lot of headaches and issues during the lease term.
When you rent your property to tenants you feel comfortable with, you can be assured your rental property in Amelia Island is safe and secure.
Once you do find tenants you feel confident renting to, don’t forget to ask for a security deposit. This will also protect you against damage costs at the end of your tenant’s lease.
Let a Professional Property Management Company Secure Your Property for You
With the help of a trusted property management company, you can secure your rental property and have peace of mind knowing it’s in good hands.
Cool Realty is the leading property management company in Amelia Island. With professional services such as property marketing, tenant acquisition, property maintenance, inspections and more, your tenants will be safe and your property secure.
Contact us today to find out how we can help you protect your rental property and also increase your rental property profits.