Protecting your investment properties from vandalism is crucial. Even if you should take mandatory measures, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility that despite your diligent efforts, your property may still be vulnerable. With a whole lot of homes targeted by vandals each year, it’s primal to have a plan to address any potential incidents at your rental properties.
When coping with vandalism, it’s typical to feel violated and overwhelmed as you work with the authorities and your insurance company to repair your rental property while giving hope to your frustrated tenant. But really, fortifying yourself with knowledge on responding to vandalism can help you properly take back control and make the recovery process more worry-free and manageable.
Create a detailed report for insurance and legal purposes
If your property is vandalized, it’s relevant to contact the local authorities and appropriately file a police report. Even supposing your tenants may report the incident, as the property owner, you must communicate with the investigating police officers and safeguard that all property damage is properly documented in an official report.
Proper and detailed documentation of property damage is critical. Take a photo of every case of vandalism, as insurance companies customarily require these records. If you can’t visit the property, take into consideration delegating this task to your tenant or property management company.
Address tenant concerns and maintain trust
If the vandalism is not caused by your renters or their guests, you are in charge of repairs. It’s critical to involve your insurance company when the damage comes about. Always ensure that your insurance policy covers vandalism before it happens. You will be obliged to cover the repair costs yourself if it doesn’t.
Vandalism can definitely affect and impact tenants, eliciting physical damage to their homes and emotional distress. Tenants may feel fear and anxiety as their sense of security is threatened. It is pivotal to provide reassurance to tenants and clearly show efforts to restore the rental property and ensure their safety.
Enhance property security with lighting and alarms
As a rental property owner, it is crucial to ensure safety. One of the best approaches to prevent vandalism and make sure of the safety of your property is to evaluate installing a comprehensive security system that your tenants can utilize.
Aside from that, integrating bright, motion-activated outdoor lighting to illuminate the surroundings and fortifying all entry points with well-established deadbolts can essentially improve the rental property’s overall safety and security measures.
At Real Property Management Apex, one of our top priorities is keeping your tenant and rental property safe in Marlin and nearby. We can attend to the documentation and recovery process for you and always make sure your property is reparied in an unfortunate case. Want to discover more? contact us online or call us at 254-732-1599 for details.
Originally Published on December 14, 2018
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