How to Protect Your Rental Properties

Owning rental properties can be a financially rewarding investment. However, with that investment come renter expectations and potential liabilities. Whether you own a short-term rental, long-term rental, or lease a commercial property, landlords need to implement effective security measures to protect the property and the people living inside it. 

The good news is that investing in a simple, smart home security system like SimpliSafe can streamline many of those responsibilities more efficiently. 

Understanding basic home security laws

One of the first home security features landlords may consider installing is a camera. Having a security camera helps landlords ensure that only tenants are entering and exiting the building. However, cameras can be a touchy subject because they can invade tenants' privacy, especially when the existence of a camera is unbeknownst to them. 

How do you avoid this? How can you install cameras but not violate the privacy of your renters?

Before installing any cameras, it is important to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations regarding the use and placement of security cameras. Some regions have specific privacy laws that govern the usage of surveillance cameras on rental properties. To avoid legal complications, research and comply with the local laws before installing security cameras, and contact other landlords for feedback. Even if the law doesn’t require you to notify your tenants of a camera on the property, there may be regulations about where you can place it. Either way, advising your tenants that there are cameras is a nice way to be transparent and maintain a positive reputation as a landlord. Plus, your tenants may even appreciate that you are taking charge of security and, as a result, will feel safer living in their rental. 

When placing cameras around your property, ensure they are visible to your tenants. Consider placing your cameras at key entry points such as the front and back doors of the building, in hallways or common outdoor spaces. 

Other rental property safety tips to consider

While security cameras are the go-to for many landlords, there are other smart home security devices that can help you ensure your property and its renters are safe and secure. Here are some examples: 

• Video Doorbells: SimplSafe’s Video Doorbells are an excellent addition to any rental property. They allow tenants to see and communicate with visitors remotely, enhancing their sense of security. As a landlord, you can also benefit from this feature by tracking who enters and exits the property. 

• Smart Locks: Smart locks provide a convenient and secure way for tenants to access the rental property without the need for physical keys (which can get lost from time to time with renters!). You can remotely manage access, granting temporary codes to guests and contractors, and receive notifications when the door is locked or unlocked. A good tip as a landlord of a short-term property is to change the codes for every guest. This helps prevent someone you’ve previously rented the home to from re-entering the property when they aren’t supposed to.

• Environmental Sensors: Smart thermostats and temperature sensors not only help tenants save on energy costs but also allow remote temperature control. As a property owner, you can monitor and adjust the thermostat settings even when the property is vacant, but also give your tenants the freedom to adjust it to where they feel comfortable.

• Smart Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Detectors: The landlord is fully responsible for installing, maintaining, and replacing smoke and CO detectors. These detectors can prevent a tragedy and ensure that your tenants aren’t exposed to dangerous levels of smoke or hazardous gases. It’s easy to buy smoke and carbon monoxide detectors at any home improvement store. But, you can also add them to part of your smart home security package with SimpliSafe. We offer a 2-and-1 smoke and carbon monoxide detector that can send instant alerts to tenants and landlords if smoke or carbon monoxide levels exceed safe limits. 

The bottom line

As a landlord, you have a lot of responsibility to protect your tenants and property, but you also need to protect yourself. By investing in the right smart home security system, you can safely keep an eye on your property while making sure your tenants feel safe and are aware of what devices you are using to do so. Be sure to always stay up-to-date on your local laws, and remember that communication and transparency are the keys to building landlord/tenant trust. 

Design the perfect security system for your rental property today with SimpliSafe.