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How to Make Your San Diego Tenants Feel Safe in their Single-Family Rental Property - article banner

Everyone wants to feel safe in their home, including your residents. When a tenant moves into your San Diego rental property, that tenant trusts that everything will be working properly and that they’ll be able to live comfortably and securely in their new home.

Tenants in single-family homes can feel especially vulnerable. In multi-family units or apartment buildings, there are always neighbors close by in case assistance is needed. In a single-family home, it’s easy to feel alone.

Keeping tenants safe is a priority for the management team at San Diego Residential Property Management, and we’re sharing some tips for landlords who want to improve the safety and security at their rental property.

Inspect for Health and Safety Hazards

A good place to start is with the property itself. Before any residents move in, do a complete inspection. That inspection should start with health and safety features. Check the smoke detectors and the carbon monoxide detectors. A good landlord will not leave it inoperable or in need of batteries. Consider upgrading to better alarm systems that don’t need the batteries changed every few months.

Check for sturdy handrails, and make sure all of the appliances are working properly. Clean out dust and lint from the dryer to reduce the risk of fires. You’ll want to make sure the windows and doors lock, and you may want to consider upgrading to electric garage door openers and even smart home technology that can assist residents in feeling safer.

Exterior Lighting Dissuades Crime

Take a look at your exterior lighting. Studies have shown that a home with lights on the outside is less likely to be victimized. Motion lights are great for garages and back patio areas. You can also make sure there is a strong porch light and plenty of lighting that leads from the driveway or the street to the door of the house.

Landscaping for Safer Homes

Make sure there are not any overgrown shrubs, bushes, or trees that are in front of the windows and obstructing a resident’s view. This can be an inviting place to hide for criminals or burglars.

Outside, make sure the pavement is even on any walkways, stairs, driveways, and sidewalks. You don’t want to create a hazard where a tenant or their guests may trip and fall.

Provide a List of Emergency Contacts

Help your tenant feel safe by providing an emergency contact list. This list should include all of your phone numbers or your property manager’s contact information. You can also include information on the nearest hospital or urgent care center. List the phone numbers for poison control, the local police department and the fire station. No one likes to think about the worst-case scenario, but when your tenants are equipped with an emergency plan, they can act quickly if a catastrophic event does occur.

Property managerThese are just a few of the things you can do to ensure your tenants feel safe in the home you’re renting to them. If you’d like some more ideas on this topic, please contact us at San Diego Residential Property Management.