Protecting your investment properties from vandalism is principal. Whereas you should take obligatory measures, it’s important to be prepared for the possibility that, despite your valiant efforts, your property may still be vulnerable. With several homes targeted by vandals each year, it’s integral to have a plan to address any potential incidents at your rental properties.
When dealing with vandalism, it’s certainly normal to feel violated and overwhelmed as you work with the authorities and your insurance company to repair your rental property while calming and encouraging your frustrated tenant. Nevertheless, enhancing yourself with knowledge on responding to vandalism can help you effectively repossess control and make the recovery process easier and manageable.
Create a detailed report for insurance and legal purposes
If your property is vandalized, it’s principally important to contact the local authorities and register a police report. Even though your tenants may report the incident, as the property owner, you must communicate with the investigating police officers and see to it that all property damage is properly documented in an official report.
Extensive documentation of property damage is beneficial. Get an image of every instance of vandalism, as insurance companies commonly require these records. If you can’t visit the property, deem 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 have responsibility for repairs. It’s important to involve your insurance company when the damage transpires. Always make certain that your insurance policy covers vandalism before it comes into occurrence. You will be bound to cover the repair costs yourself if it doesn’t.
Vandalism can naturally impact tenants, inciting physical damage to their homes and emotional distress. Tenants may feel fear and anxiety as their sense of security is actually violated. It is significant to provide reassurance to tenants and evidently 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 focus on safety. One efficient way to prevent vandalism and give importance to the safety of your property is to take on installing a comprehensive security system that your tenants can utilize.
Besides that, putting up bright, motion-activated outdoor lighting to illuminate the surroundings and fortifying all entry points with rock-solid deadbolts can undeniably improve the rental property’s overall safety and security measures.
At Real Property Management Deluxe, one of our top priorities is keeping your tenant and rental property safe in Brainerd and nearby. We can tend to the documentation and recovery process for you and establish your property is fixed up in a disaster. Want to actually learn more? contact us online or call us at 218-454-7962 for details.
Originally Published on December 14, 2018
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