How to Ensure Your Rental Properties are Safe and Secure
When managing a rental property, you must know how to set your priorities in their proper hierarchy. Among other important things to consider – and one that you should never neglect – is the safety and security of your rental property.
This matter is very important and should be discussed with your property manager as they prepare to take on your property. Their obligations must be made clear in order to ensure that the premises is well taken care of and is safe for the tenants.
During your discussion, you need to highlight a few things such as the following:
Window Safety
Every year, more than 50 children fall down from windows and balconies. As the landlord, it is your job to ensure that window safety devices are installed on all above-ground windows.
Locks
To further strengthen the property’s security, all locks must be in working order. It is particularly important for houses or ground floor apartments where there are greater security risks, ensuring that the locks are sturdy and are working correctly must be included in the priority list. As there are many entrances to a house, including the windows and gates, there will be a need for more locks.
Smoke Alarms
Smoke alarms must be tested as per the legislation to ensure that they are in working order. This must be carried out within 30 days of a new tenant moving in or a lease renewal.
Pool Safety
The first thing you need to do if you own a rental property that has a swimming pool is to make sure that it meets the standard pool fencing and safety laws. Before you can lease your property to a tenant, you are required to secure a pool safety certificate. This is to ensure that you are, indeed, in compliance with the current pool safety standards. The certificate can only be obtained from a licensed pool safety inspector.