As a landlord, your utmost aim is to have your property rented; else, having a rental property is an investment gone wrong. And so as a landlord, making your rental homes as attractive as possible to would-be tenants is the first step towards reaching your goal.
Nowadays, renters go beyond the aesthetics when talking about the words “attractive” and “rental property”. First, the property should be pleasant-looking. There is also a consideration of the location being convenient to work and/or school. Renters also look at the rates.
But the wisest decision of them all is affected by the security the property provides. To be honest, you can never blame tenants as over the past decades, incidents of burglary were on the rise.
With you owning rental properties that are ready to be occupied, how do you make it as attractive to renters? Consider installing home security systems. And what home security devices should you look into? Read on below:
Smart Locks
A secured door is your primary defense against burglars. But incorporate it with a smart lock, you have an advanced protection for your home.
A smart lock works just like your traditional lock and key. The difference, however, is that smart locks are more convenient.
Lost or forgotten keys will no longer pose as a problem. Duplication of keys is no longer a need as there is no physical key in the first place.
Smart locks make it possible for occupants to access the property through smartphones or any gadget that is compatible. Access can be granted remotely by the landlord or by sending renters their access codes.
Whether occupancy is for short-term or not, landlords no longer have to worry about regularly changing locks. Not only is a smart lock secure, but it is also cost-efficient.
Smart Lighting
A vacant property is always a good target not only for interested tenants but also for burglars.
As opposed to the usual belief, crimes do not happen just because those who commit them were just in the mood for it. A large percentage of crimes are meticulously planned before they are executed. This is the same with burglaries where criminals study the property prior to the break-in.
As a property owner, the worry peaks at times when nobody’s home. Installing smart lighting makes landlords worry less. This is because smart lighting can be programmed into making criminals believe somebody is home even when nobody is.
Occupants can orchestrate when lights can be turned off and when it can be turned on. In most cases,
lighting can also be controlled remotely using a smartphone or any gadget that’s connected to the system.
The development of smart lighting is far from over. In fact, recent models have the capacity to connect with the doorbell and have the lights turned on as soon as somebody rings it, giving an impression of a homeowner having been awakened.
Security Cameras
This is probably the most common of all security devices. Having a security camera installed inside and outside the rented area makes you capable of monitoring the ins and outs of the property. Technology has also made it possible for you to do the monitoring remotely through the use of a computer or a smartphone.
You may also be wondering if it is within your legal rights as a landlord to install security cameras at the property. The answer is yes, it is legal. It is just a matter of which part of the house the cameras are installed.
You should understand that tenants also require privacy and so cameras should never be placed inside the bedroom, toilet/bath, and similar places.
It would also be helpful if you make your tenants aware of the devices inside the property. For sure, they would understand your reasons knowing that these were installed for their own sake.
Motion Sensors
Ever heard of a passive infrared motion sensor? This is the kind of sensor that is becoming popular these days. To simplify how this works, a sensor, when programmed, will be able to detect movement within the property when there should not be. This would be extremely useful at times when nobody’s home.
A common disadvantage of motion sensors, however, is the possibility of false alarms especially for households with pets. Make sure that when choosing the best motion sensor in the market, go for the one that’s pet-proof.
Smoke and CO2 Detectors
Aside from burglars, there are still a number of threats a tenant must face. Fires and carbon monoxide poisoning, for example.
According to the CDC, there are about 400 deaths related to carbon monoxide poisoning. NFPA also reported that in the previous year alone, there were about 3,400 fatalities related to fire cases.
While most would be content with the traditional fire alarms, these are only useful when one is at home during the fire. Home security companies, however, have taken measures to a whole new level.
The latest models of smoke and CO2 alarms notify occupants remotely in cases of dense smoke inside the house, which can only be caused by a fire; or in instances when there is a high level of CO2.
Alfred Security App
While this may be an app and not exactly a device, this can be extremely useful in cases when you want to save on costs. You can make use of an old phone, something you no longer use but is still working. All you need is to download and install the Alfred Security App (for free).
Having it on your phone will make it possible for it to serve as your security camera at home. It can now be connected to the smartphone you are currently using for remote monitoring purposes.
There may be connectivity and coverage issues but the app can be useful for a small property and for those who intend to save on monthly payments.
C-Slide Webcam Cover
For just about $6, this can be a very good addition to your property’s security devices. Some of us may not put so much importance to it but it is easier than believed for another person to access a computer’s camera, take photos and videos of those invading your tenant’s privacy.
Your renters would be glad to have this easily slide into their computer’s camera to cover the lens when not in use; thereby protecting their privacy and giving them peace of mind.
Video Intercom
We’re all pretty sure everybody’s been told not to open the door to strangers. Doing so is never a good idea. In fact, even raising the curtain or peeking through the window just to find out who rang the doorbell is a bad decision. We all know a lot of characters in movies fell victim to villains just by doing this.
On another note, let’s all admit it. We could also sometimes be lazy enough to get out of bed just to check who is outside.
With the video intercom, these concerns are all addressed. The system enables your renters to see who rang the bell. Some systems even allow a two-way conversation with whoever is outside.
Flood Alarm
Is your property in an area likely to be flooded? You can do away with worries about damages caused by flood and water leaks by having this flood alarm device. It can easily be installed in places that are prone to leaks or floods.
How it works is that once water hits the device, an alarm is set off. You would be able to monitor your property, with or without any occupant. And once the alarm is triggered and you are notified, you would be able to do something about it before it causes more damage.
Security Alarms
No matter how sophisticated your security system is, nothing could be better than having an alarm that makes the loudest noise possible. Imagine a burglar just about planning to loot your property. As soon as the invader opens the door, an alarm is sounded; loud enough for everyone to wake up.
When having an alarm, however, make sure to regularly check and deactivate when not needed.
In summary, you as a landlord only want the best for your tenants and for your property. You may do away with some of these devices but you can also opt for maximum security and get everything that you need.
At the end of the day, you are responsible, as much as the tenants are, for the safety of their lives and the preservation of your property.