End of Year Safety Tips

Posted by Teresa on December 23, 2009 under Landlord Tips | Be the First to Comment

As we close the books on 2009, here are some tips to keep your rental properties in good condition and your tenants safe:

While it’s not cold everywhere in the winter, frozen pipes are not unknown to even Florida landlords. So if you know freezing temperatures are in store, check your pipes! Call your tenants and remind them to leave a little water dripping and the under sink cabinet doors open.

If your tenants celebrate the holidays with indoor trees and exterior lights, it’s a good idea to stop by and check that overloaded circuits are not a concern. Too many house and apartment fires are started by Christmas trees. Your rental agreement should clearly state what holiday lighting is allowed—but a personal inspection is also a very good idea.

Make sure your tenants are not using space heaters improperly—if at all. Portable and fixed space heaters are associated with nearly 22,000 residential fires each year in the U.S., with approximately 300 deaths. They should not be used to warm beds, dry clothing, thaw pipes, or cook food. They can be dangerous, and should be avoided. If heating systems function properly in your rental units, there should be no need for space heaters.

If you allow smoking in your rentals, this is a good time to remind tenants of proper disposal of smoking materials. No smoking in bed; no placing cigarettes on counters or windowsills. Encourage tenants to extinguish cigarettes under running tap water.

Check your insurance coverage for water damage and fire. In fact, the end of the year is a good time to schedule time with your insurance broker or sales representative to review all of your coverage. You do not want to find out you’re underinsured after something catastrophic happens.

Keep your peace of mind by keeping your rental property and your tenants safe into the new year!