Safety must always be a priority when you’re renting out an Oakland home. The property itself has to be in good condition and free of any issues that could cause harm to your residents and their guests. Your tenants also need to know how to stay safe inside the property; they need to keep the smoke detectors functional, and they need to let you know when something isn’t working properly.
When your investment property is vacant, you have an interest in keeping it safe and secure as well. You’ll need to protect your investment from vulnerabilities that are unique to a vacancy period. There’s no one in place to report maintenance issues, and it might be a target for vandals or criminals.
As Oakland property managers, we are always thinking about the best ways to keep your property safe and secure. Whether we’re talking about careful tenant screening, preventative maintenance, or systems and functions within your home that need special attention, when we manage your property, you can enjoy the peace of mind that it’s safe and secure.
Here are some important ways to keep your Oakland rental property safe, whether it’s occupied or vacant.
Safety Considerations for Oakland Rental Homes
Your rental property needs to be safe for tenants even before there’s a tenant living in it.
Do a complete inspection of your property before a tenant moves in and after a tenant moves out. There are many reasons for these inspections; you’re documenting property condition, for example, and checking for maintenance needs and cosmetic improvements during the turnover period.
You’re also looking for safety and security issues.
Why? Because those issues are habitability issues, and your property has to be habitable if you’re going to rent it out.
During those inspections and even when maintenance is requested or you schedule a walk-through during the lease to check for any unreported issues, make sure you have a safety checklist, and take it with you. You should be looking for:
- Clean air filters
- Working smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
- Doors and windows that easily open, close, and lock
- Loose handrails
- Leaks or drips under the sinks, behind toilets, and around tubs and appliances
- Roof issues such as missing shingles or water intrusion
- Even flooring that doesn’t pose trip and fall hazards
- Lighting inside and outside the home
Your lease should reflect that you’ll conduct at least one maintenance check-up per year so that tenants know you’ll be coming through the property. This does not have to be a formal inspection; it’s simply a safety check. This is in their best interests and the best interests of your rental property.
Protecting Your Property with Robust Insurance
Insurance is an excellent starting point when we’re talking about safety and security. You’ll want to protect yourself against any claims, and you’ll want to have the funds you need to make any repairs and replacements after a potentially catastrophic loss.
Do a periodic review of your current insurance policy and make sure it matches your needs. Without proper coverage, an unexpected disaster or an accident can leave you financially lost.
A comprehensive landlord insurance policy on your rental property will cover any damage to your investment that is a result of the risks outlined in your policy. The purpose of insurance is to repair or replace whatever is needed so that you’re restored as quickly as possible. Some of the protections a good landlord insurance policy will provide include:
- Fire
- Water damage
- Wind
- Theft
- Vandalism
You’ll also want adequate liability coverage as well as loss of rent coverage. Review your insurance annually. The value of your property changes over time, and you need insurance that keeps up.
Always require renters insurance. This is for your protection and the protection of your tenants. Your policy will cover your property and any of your own belongings inside that property (such as appliances). It will not cover your tenant’s personal possessions, however. If there’s a water leak and a flood that damages your resident’s furniture and electronics, they’ll be glad they had renters insurance to cover the loss.
Keeping Oakland Tenants Safe in Your Property
Tenants need to understand the risks that are inherent in any property.
Educate your residents before they move in on how to keep themselves safe while living in your property. Provide emergency contact information for local police stations, fire stations, and poison control centers. Make sure parking areas are well-lit and consider installing motion activated lights outside. Provide an emergency plan in case of a fire or a natural disaster. Explain the importance of cleaning lint from the dryer if you provide one, and reinforce that you want to receive maintenance requests promptly when they realize something is wrong.
There’s plenty of technology available to help your tenants feel safe.
You don’t necessarily have to pay for an alarm on your property, or a video doorbell (these are growing in popularity among homeowners and tenants). But, you can make something like this available to tenants if they want to pay for service.
Smart home technology is rapidly becoming normalized in rental homes, and if you provide a property that’s ready to accept that technology, tenants will feel safer.
Maintaining Safety Standards during Vacancy
When your Oakland rental property is vacant, it’s important to take some precautions so it doesn’t become a target. Keep the utilities on. Visit the property every couple of days to make sure nothing has been stolen or vandalized. Look for maintenance issues while you’re there. Keep up with the landscaping and make sure there’s at least one exterior light on at all times.
These are our best tips for keeping your property and your tenants safe and secure. While they’re generalized to all properties, we know that your investment home is unique. If you’d like some tips and strategies customized to your own property, we’d be happy to provide them. Please contact us at Marquardt Property Management. We provide expert property management in Oakland, the East Bay and in surrounding communities like Hayward, Pittsburg, and Concord.
