How To Secure A Vacant Rental Property

In an ideal setting, the tenant turnover rates for your rental properties should be fast. This means as soon as one ends their contract, you’ll have another one waiting for them to vacate. While this desirable situation is the goal, it’s not always the case, especially during low seasons. There’ll be days when you won’t have tenants, so it’s inevitable to have vacant rental properties, at least for a few months or so.

As a landlord, you can gain passive income from your rentals, but this doesn’t mean there isn’t any effort and work from your end to preserve and maintain the property. It’s not going to be worrisome for you when there are tenants as they can do all the work of securing the property while they’re there. It’s for the vacant ones you have to do all the work for, given how vacant homes are always attractive to thieves.

You’ve come to the right place for vacant property management measures and tips to secure such. Read on.

Install Concrete Barriers

Concrete has been the material of choice for barrier blocks due to its unquestionable durability. Concrete barrier blocks are used for vacant properties to secure the property’s perimeters. These have become increasingly popular with property owners, given how concrete blocks are designed to thwart forced and illegal entry to the site. It makes it almost close to impossible for intruders to gain access to the vacant home.

Along with that fact, there are also many other convincing reasons why you should consider installing concrete barrier blocks for your vacant rental property:

• It’s a visible deterrent, which makes it effective in dissuading trespassing, among other types (concrete barrier blocks example).
• It’s effective in boundary demarcation so you and your next-door neighbor are fully aware of the limits of your property.
• It’s weather resistant, so you won’t have to worry about visiting your rental property one day and getting surprised at the damage the barriers have gone through after a storm.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Whether your rental properties are near or far from your present location, performing regular maintenance and professional cleaning are management tasks you should never forgo. This is why it’s also a plus to have a property manager, so the property manager can assist you in calling for the maintenance works.

Doing this is like hitting two birds with one stone. First, having a regular presence of people coming in and out of a property, even if it’s vacant, is enough to scare thieves away. They’ll fear coming in at the wrong time, especially when there isn’t any fixed or regular time frame when your property management and maintenance team comes into those vacant rental properties.

Second, this ensures your rental property is always ready before the next tenant comes. These can be done should repairs be called for while you don’t have tenants yet. Moreover, any potential problems can be fixed as soon as possible while they’re still small before they escalate into even bigger repair works.

Install CCTVs In Outdoor Areas

Whenever a rental property becomes vacant, visit the site immediately during the last day of the tenant’s stay to install a temporary CCTV for the outdoor areas. This CCTV can be moved from one rental property to another, which can be used during instances of vacancies.

As simple as it may be, CCTVs are always an excellent visual deterrent to passers-by, informing potential intruders they’re being watched. This could be enough to scare them away, with the fear that every move they make is being recorded, so there’s no way not to go unnoticed.

Always Secure All Windows And Doors

If you’re managing your properties yourself, make it a point always to secure all windows and doors once the previous tenants have surrendered their keys. This goes without saying, but you may be surprised to repeatedly hear news reports of thieves who easily entered vacant properties through unlocked windows and doors or even broken ones.

Check every window and door to ensure the locks are still in good condition and can’t easily be opened. Your property manager can also do this on your behalf if you’re far from your other rental properties. Make it a point to consistently remind your property manager to lock all doors after each instance they visit your rental properties on your behalf.

Conclusion

Having a vacant rental property is, without a doubt, a stressful situation for landlords. Financially, its vacancy affects the profit margin you may be aiming for in your annual passive income. On top of that, there are also risks and hazards you have to be mindful of, particularly relating to illegal entry and theft. Landlords must do more to protect and secure their vacant rental properties. Applying the tips above can minimize the harmful effects and risks of vacant property, so it doesn’t hurt your bottom line.