As a property manager you are in a prime position to ensure the well-being of tenants and protect the assets of property owners.
And there are sound business reasons for doing so. Fostering a safe environment with a few strategic crime prevention and security best practices can help improve tenant and investor retention and reduce maintenance costs.
Promoting physical security measures
Surveillance cameras are a tried-and-true, largely effective crime deterrent. For the landlord’s own benefit, advise installing them in key locations to help keep a close watch on the external property and any internal common spaces, which will help discourage criminal activity. Ensure these areas are well-lit and landscaping is well-maintained to reduce potential hiding spots for criminals.
When conducting regular property inspections, keep a lookout for potential security concerns such as malfunctioning doors or windows, failed lighting, overgrown vegetation, and obstructed exit signs. Address any vulnerabilities promptly to maintain a secure environment.
Additionally, keyless entry systems and smart locks can help stop unauthorized entry into residential properties.
With PayProp's convenient maintenance portal, tenants can easily report concerns such as broken locks, while real-time ticketing updates offer visibility of the status of their tickets. With all maintenance requests in one central hub, property managers can quickly and easily prioritize and resolve security issues.
Staff training
Whether it's identifying suspicious behavior or noticing dimly lit areas that could benefit from additional lighting, your hands-on team is the first line of defense against crime.
But being a keen observer is only the first step. Staff also need to be able to act decisively and be equipped with effective response strategies, such as coordinating with local law enforcement or sending cautionary letters to tenants about local crime trends. Specific training programs can help them spot and deal with potential security threats before they escalate.
Community engagement
Communities are a powerful resource in crime prevention. To leverage the power of many, property managers can organize events like community clean-ups, social gatherings, and neighborhood watch meetings, encouraging tenants (and owners) to look out for one another.
Such events are also an opportunity for property managers to share information about local security concerns, discuss preventive measures, and promote an open dialogue among neighbors.
If the single-family rentals under your management are spread out over a wide area, you can bring tenants together online instead. Virtual spaces such as community forums or social media groups let tenants (and again, owners) connect, share information, and promptly report any concerns or unusual activities.
A connected community is more likely to successfully work together to create a safer living environment.
Building strong, safe rental communities
Through these efforts, property managers can pave the way for safer, more resilient communities where tenants can thrive – and build more stable, more profitable businesses.
