Besides shelter, your rental property should keep your tenants secure. Read on to learn how to improve the safety of your rental. We all want to live in a safe place, but as a landlord, you are also responsible for maintaining the safety of someone else's home. You also have an obligation to protect your business's valuable assets. You have a legal responsibility to take reasonable precautions to keep your tenants' homes secure because a break-in is upsetting for everyone involved, especially in the case of furnished dwellings. Although it's unsettling to think about, burglaries do happen to people, and ignoring security concerns won't make things better. In order to improve the safety of your rental, you don't have to break the bank, and there are many options available. Secure the door What is the most important thing you provide to ensure the security of your tenants? If the exterior doors of your building are not secured, burglars and other unwanted guests will have easy access to your tenants and their belongings. Make sure the door locks are working, and the doors are closing properly. Deadbolts are a more robust security measure than a doorknob lock alone. It could be a good idea to place a peephole in the door, so your tenants can see who is knocking. Keep the windows secure Rental homes may have multiple entry points, including windows. If the windows aren't locked, burglars might easily break into the apartment, especially if it's on the ground floor or second floor. Make sure that all of the locks on your windows are fully operational and in good condition. Add window bars for your tenants' peace of mind. It's possible that some people will turn down your offer just because of how they look. Set up smart locks Smart locks require tenants to enter a PIN to enter their homes. Some people want a key fob in addition to the code for further security. These smart door locks are useful for evicting tenants when their lease is up. To prevent the previous tenants from entering, update the code. If you frequently lose your keys as a renter, this is a great solution. They need only learn the code once to never be shut out again. You'll also benefit from this excellent news because you won't need to employ a locksmith or grant them entry to your property. Add to or improve the lighting Having adequate lighting is a simple way to improve the safety of your rental. Safer pathways and more aesthetic outdoor areas are two benefits you can reap from installing automatic lighting. Having a safe rental will usually retain your tenants longer. Look around the rental property after dark to see if there are any areas that could benefit from extra light. Make sure there is sufficient lighting around your home to see everything on the property, even if your tenants don't turn on their outdoor lights. Pathway lighting will ensure the safety of residents walking to and from their homes after dark, and floodlights are an excellent option for lighting the sides of a structure. Think about installing solar panels to cut down on your monthly energy bills. Set up surveillance cameras Formerly prohibitively expensive security camera installations are now more affordable for homeowners, giving you and your tenants more peace of mind. Tenants are prohibited from installing security cameras inside their unit, although they can be used to monitor the front door, stairwells, and back of the building. Because of this, cameras are effective even when they are not actively recording. Establish a safety system
A security system is an expensive investment, but it will help you feel protected in your own home. You can find a security system that fits your needs and budget since there are several options to choose from. You also have the option of choosing a home security company. As there are many of them to choose from, you should find an adequate solution to your problems and needs. Door and window sensors, smoke detectors, and motion-detecting lights are all essential components of a comprehensive security system, so keep those in mind while you shop. DIY security devices are convenient since you can easily set them up and access them from afar. As long as you're connected to the device, probably through an app on your smartphone, you'll be able to use it. Monitoring costs are usually not too high on a monthly basis, although some tenants may be willing to pay more for peace of mind. Make exit points accessible One easy way to deter unwanted visitors is to maintain a spotless entrance and exit to your rental home. Trim massive bushes, so they don't block the view of your house from the street. If you're worried about potential criminal activity, you might want to install surveillance cameras at the entrances and exits of your property. By keeping all exits and entryways unobstructed, we ensured that first responders could get to the scene quickly and residents could get out safely. Employ the services of a property manager Hiring a property manager can give you peace of mind whether your building is empty or occupied because they will be responsible for the building's upkeep and security while you are away. Experts at consumeroponion.org suggest that you look for different providers and services online. A property manager can help with issues like maintenance, problem-solving, and security if you are unable to be physically present at the rental property. If you want to make sure your rental property is in good shape and improve the safety of your rental, you can ask the property manager to do random inspections on the tenants. They might even show up when the place is deserted to send a message to would-be burglars that someone is keeping an eye on things and using the space. At the end of a lease, collect all keys Never allow your renters to leave with the keys to your rental property after they have moved out. While your renters may have been reliable and pleasant, you never want extra keys lying around. You never know where the keys will wind up. When your renters leave, meet with them to inspect the unit and hand over the keys. It may take a few hours out of your day, but it will significantly improve the safety of your rental. Photos via: Unsplash Pexels Pexels Unsplash Want to keep tenants on your rental properties? Read this list of 7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate now! It’s the priority of every landlord to keep high-quality tenants in their properties. Tenants that don’t cause trouble and always pay their rent on time. That said, however, you won’t be able to find perfect tenants every single time. Still, it’s also important to remember that tenant turnover is one of the most expensive parts of rental properties. As such, landlords generally need to avoid tenant turnover as much as possible. To help you with this, we’ve put together a list of 7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate. Thoroughly screen tenants before accepting them First up on our list of the seven ways to raise your tenant retention rate is finding good tenants in the first place. Screening your tenants before allowing them to stay on your property is the best way to ensure they won’t cause trouble and you won’t have to kick them out. So, do a background check, verify their income and look into some tenant references. When talking to the tenant references, ask them questions such as: were there issues with the tenant, did they pay rent on time and in full, how did they maintain the property, and would they rent to this tenant again? If you don’t like what you hear, it’s probably best to decline the tenant. Additionally, consider some staging tips for your rental property to attract tenants in the first place. Keep rent increases consistent and fair As a landlord, one of the priorities for your rentals is to bring in profit. As such, it’s understandable that, over time, you’ll increase the rent rates to stay profitable. However, prices rising suddenly and by too much can scare off a lot of tenants. Try to keep the increases smaller and introduce them over more extended time periods. Additionally, do market research and justify your reasons for increasing the rent. A good rule of thumb is to keep the rates lower than market rates and implement them slowly. Additionally, experts from Peasley Transfer & Storage advise that, if you do have to turn over a tenant, there are benefits to having a storage unit on standby. A bit of extra space never hurts. Give incentives for lease renewals One of the most important ways to raise your tenant retention rate is to give incentives for lease renewals. After all, your tenants renewing their lease means they will stay on your property, which should be a priority. The most effective incentive is, of course, a discount on the rent. However, this isn’t always an option, and you must get creative. For example, you can consider partnering with companies to offer your tenants deals and other similar things. Remember, you need to keep your tenants interested, so whatever offer you make, you need to make sure it’s something they’ll consider. Keep an eye on the rental markets Local amenities are a big part of retaining your current tenants. If your properties start to get outdated, tenants will look for better places to stay, and you will lose them. As such, it’s essential to constantly monitor the local rental markets and stay up to date with your properties. Remember, upgrades to your rental properties are investments and will pay for themselves in the long run. Of course, questions like should you install smart technology in your rental property are good to ask. But, generally speaking, the answer is usually yes, especially if other properties in the area are starting to do it. Make maintenance a priority Nobody wants to stay on a property that is falling apart, and that’s completely understandable. This means that you should always prioritize maintenance for your rental properties. Be proactive with your maintenance, and make it a routine that you stick to. If some unexpected problems occur, whether it’s a complete accident or the tenant’s fault, make sure to fix them as soon as possible. Of course, avoiding emergency repairs is the best way to deal with them, and if a tenant notifies you of an issue, it’s important to answer promptly and get it fixed. This also builds trust and shows that you are a professional, which are both excellent for tenant retention. Finally, if you need to change the flooring on your properties, consider how to choose the right flooring for your rental property. These things are going to keep your tenants happy and in place. Provide quality customer service
No matter how you look at it, customer service is essential for all businesses, and rentals are the same. If your tenants feel heard and valued, they will likely stay on your properties. This starts as early as their move-in date. You must provide all the information your tenant needs to move into the property. From there on, make sure to listen to their requests and worries and reply promptly. If any sort of issue arises, answer them as quickly as possible and see that they’re solved just as quickly. And when dealing with problems or general maintenance, keep your tenants updated on the progress. Remember, everyone likes being heard and valued, and it goes a long way for your tenant retention rate. Be professional but also personable Every landlord has measures and punishments for damage to the property, missed payments, and other issues. It makes sense, as they need to enforce the lease rules to stay in business. However, remember also to be understanding with your tenants. For example, if your best tenant happens to miss a payment, try to check in with them. See what the problem is and try to find a solution instead of immediately resorting to punishments. 7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate – wrap up Landlords need to ensure their tenants stay on their properties to avoid losing profit. Thankfully, there are quite a few easy ways to increase retention rates if you’re willing to put in a little effort. We hope that this list of 7 ways to raise your tenant retention rate helps you out. Photos used: Pexels Pexels Pexels Pexels If you’re about to put your house on the market, you should first consider a few updates that will make your home more attractive to potential buyers. In order to maximize your profit, stay away from big-ticket items unless they’re absolutely necessary. They key is to focus on smaller, quick wins that will make a big difference. Here are a few ideas to get you started.
Inspection First, consider paying an inspector to examine your house and report on any issues he finds. You probably already know of a few minor things that need to be fixed, but a certified inspector can give you peace of mind by letting you know if the big things are in good shape. If he does find a major problem, you’ll get a jump start on determining your strategy for fixing it. To ensure a quality inspection, only hire an inspector with an InterNACHI (International Association of Certified Home Inspectors) membership. Unclutter Your House When you’re preparing to sell your home, here’s a idea to add to your checklist that won’t cost anything — get rid of the clutter in your house! uncluttering can make your home feel larger, cleaner, and airier, all of which make it more attractive to buyers. Below are a few quick tips:
After you’ve uncluttered, you might notice all that open space looks a little grungy. Guess what? It’s time to start cleaning. Scrub areas that haven’t seen the light of day in a while, and use a handheld vacuum to easily reach those tricky corners without having to rely on your heavy-duty cleaner. Handhelds are also good for quick clean-ups and are easily stored away once you’ve finished tackling whatever problem fell into your lap. Fix or Replace Leaky Faucets Prospective buyers will instantly notice and be turned off by leaky faucets in your home. If your faucet is newer and just has a leaky valve or connection, take a few minutes and fix it. If, however, your faucet is older and needs to be replaced, it’s not a difficult project and will noticeably improve your bathroom or kitchen. You’ll likely want to replace the supply lines under the sink at the same time as the faucet. One quick tip: You will have cut-off valves under the sink to turn the water off, but make sure you know where the whole-house cut-off valve is in case of emergency. This could save you some water damage! Spruce Up Your Landscape and Yard Improving your curb appeal will add to the attractiveness of your home as well. Take a weekend to knock out several of these improvements.
These updates are inexpensive, quick fixes that will help you obtain a higher price as you sell your home. Take a few days to implement them and you’ll be surprised how different your house feels. Prospective buyers will be impressed as well, and that’s your goal — so get to it! In the span of a rental property's existence a landlord will probably be asked to make many upgrades to the home for a variety of reasons: personal preferences, safety, pets, rodents, general wear and tear, and many more.
If a handicapped or disabled tenant makes requests for modifications to your rental property, you must permit the modification, provided:
It is important that landlords remember that under federal law, disabled tenants and prospective tenants with a disability have the right to apply and live in a property regardless of their impairment. At Clark Real Estate, we follow all Fair Housing laws and practices to ensure that your rental unit is not in violation. Please contact us for more information. We can handle all tenant issues on your behalf! |
Clark Real Estate
305 W. Moana Ste C Reno, NV 89509 (775) 828-3355 Reno Property Management
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