You’re required to provide a safe and habitable California City rental property as a landlord, but there’s quite a bit of danger that’s completely outside of your control. Make sure you’re doing everything you can to prevent criminal activity at your property. You want your tenants kept safe from harm and you also want to protect the condition and value of your investment.
Preventing crime can come from adjustments to property design, keeping vacancies secure and to a minimum, and having good relationships with your tenants and your community. You never know when you’re going to have an incident with a disaffected tenant, a bored teenager, vandals, or an experienced criminal with bad intentions.
Many communities have neighborhood watch programs, which are helpful but not always 100 percent effective. Here are some of the best methods we recommend when you’re preventing crime and protecting your tenants and your property.
Check Your Lighting and Property Surroundings
It’s not unusual for a criminal to steal or break an outside light bulb with the intention of coming back later to commit a crime. Replace any missing or non-working bulbs right away. This keeps the property safer and it also sends a message to would-be criminals that you’re taking good and watchful care of the property.
Install bright lights. Motion lights are also a good idea and can help create a safe atmosphere for your renters.
Make sure there aren’t any shrubs or trees blocking your tenant’s view of what’s happening outside. They should be able to see out the windows into the outdoor spaces. You can also install gravel or mulch on the walkways, alerting tenants when someone approaches the property.
Keep Your California City Rental Safe during Vacancies
A vacancy can make your property an easy target for vandals, thieves, and trespassers. It also opens you up to criminal activity such as rental scams. Make sure your neighbors know when the property is vacant and encourage them to contact you or the police if something looks off. Visit the property as often as you can and install some additional security. Don’t leave the garbage cans out after the trash has been picked up and don’t allow mail or newspapers to accumulate.
Create a Safety Checklist for Inspections
Rental inspections are important before and after the tenancy. You’ll also want to get inside the property when you can for a
routine maintenance check-up. During these walk-throughs, you should have a checklist that lets you know whether any repairs are needed. You should add some security and safety information to that checklist. You’ll want to test lights, locks, and windows. If you’re renting out units in a multi-family building, make sure you also check for safety on stairs, common areas, and outdoor courtyards.
Educate California City Tenants on Safety Issues
Your tenants can also be proactive in preventing crime and keeping the property safe. Talk to them about the importance of security and encourage them not to open the door to anyone they don’t know or aren’t expecting. Make sure they know to immediately report any problems with lighting or locks. A lot of residents use smart home devices such as video doorbells and security cameras. Make sure your property is set up to accommodate this technology.
