There are several important things that landlords often forget to do. Make sure you aren’t making these mistakes at your own rental property.
Re-Key the Locks
You may have your tenant who is ready to move in, and if you do – remember that the state of Texas requires you to re-key the locks within seven days of that tenant moving in. You may have put new locks on or re-keyed the property as soon as your last tenant moved out, but if 20 or 30 days have gone by, you need new locks again. Do this to protect your tenants and your own interests.
Doors and Peepholes
A lot of owners overlook minor details like peepholes. You need peepholes on all your doors that lead outside so your tenant can look safely out the front and back door. If you have an attached garage, the door going to the garage needs a peephole too. People over look this all the time. Those doors also need a keyless locking mechanism. Keyless deadbolt looks clean and crisp, and they latch on the inside so people outside the home cannot unlock the door. That’s for the tenant’s protection and privacy.
Smoke and Carbon Detectors
Smoke detectors have to be properly installed in the proper locations. You need them in each bedroom and the hallways between bedrooms. I think it’s a good idea to have them near the kitchen too. CO detectors are also necessary if you have an attached garage or any gas coming into the home.
Remember that you need to test the smoke detectors. Many people just push the button. It may beep but you’re testing the battery only. Test the sensor by shooting smoke into the smoke detector to make sure everything works. Dust and paint particles can get in there and make it ineffective. A smoke detector that doesn’t work only increases your liability.
Conduct Inspections
We want you to be able to sleep at night and not worry about what’s happening at your property. If you have a tenant paying rent for three years and there have been no problems, you might think that everything is fine. But you don’t really know. Hire a professional to inspect the place for you. You can be at work or on vacation and have your inspector document what is found with photos and videos. Have them look under sinks for water drips. Drain lines can be bumped and make a mess. With an inspector checking things out, you don’t have to worry. You can also ask them to change your air filters. It’s important to have the air conditioning unit cared for and maintained.
If you have any questions about how to avoid these mistakes and be a more effective landlord, please contact us at McCaw Property Management.