Managing rental property is not always as easy as it is sometimes perceived to be, and as a landlord you have a lot on your plate keeping everything running smoothly and softly. Here, we’ve made a short list of things you ought to keep in mind when looking after your rental property and the valued tenants that reside in it.
- Maintaining security
Looking after your tenants is important, and especially if your property is in a less than desirable part of town you may want to install some custom cameras to keep an eye on what’s going on. To be clear, it’s important such equipment does not encroach on your tenants’ right to privacy, and any changes should be clearly discussed with them – but it can be a good deterrent to criminals and help the property to be that much safer if cameras are installed. It can even help to attract better tenants who are willing to pay more for a little peace of mind! You might also want to consider what type of locks you use in your home and consider whether they’ve been compromised.
- Protect yourself and your tenants
As much as it can be lucrative being a landlord, you also assume a lot of responsibility for your tenants and your property as a whole so if you haven’t already now might be a good time to google search insurance broker near me to make sure you are covered for the right scenarios and for the right amount. Whether there is a fire, some kind of property damage, a power outage or any other problems you want to be able to deal with it swiftly without being concerned about how to pay for it – and crucially, you want to be legally protected in the unlikely event a tenant does try to blame you for something that was not your fault.
- Shore up your building
Different areas have different threats, and it’s important to be shored up against the elements. In an area prone to storms you should invest in storm shutters and a storm water system, while in a cold area it might be especially important to invest in high quality insulation. Your tenants have a right to feel safe against the natural risks of their area, and your property will be stronger in the long run if you make these adjustments. If you live somewhere where there are regular earthquakes, then it might be worthwhile considering how you can keep your home safe in the case of a disaster. It may also be worthwhile keeping an emergency kit in your rental properties so that if anything were to happen, your rentals would have access to basic emergency things such as candles, flashlights, canned goods and so forth.
Keeping your rental property well managed and safe is important not only for you but additionally for your tenants; if you keep it shored up against crime, accidents, and the natural elements, as well as protecting yourself against negative circumstances then you can’t go far wrong.