How to Know If Your Rental Meets Safety Standards

Providing a safe rental home is included in the landlords’ duty of keeping a habitable living space for renters. After all, security is a tenant's first priority when choosing a place to call home.

If you want to remain compliant with safety standards, you would need to perform property walkthroughs, consistent property inspections, and preventive maintenance to reduce further expenses.

Marketing your rental unit is easier if you offer security and safety. Outside of trespassers, you also need to focus on keeping your home systems in top condition so you don’t compromise on convenience. You want to avoid instances where tenants are dealing with a broken toilet due to plumbing issues.

In addition, it’s also important to keep the home environment hygienic, adhere to the building safety codes, and ensure that common areas are kept safe to prevent accidents.

Here are areas to monitor closely for safety in your rental unit:

Heating

Allocate time to evaluate your boiler. You might be subjected to a complaint and lawsuit if you postpone repairs of broken heaters. It’s also a safety risk since it can lead to a fire, placing the lives of the residents in danger.

It’s good practice to inspect heaters routinely to prevent possible fires. Combustible materials should be kept away from them and heating sources should have a screen to lower the incidence of fires.

Plumbing

If you have plumbing problems, this can result in various issues like flooding. The latter can rack up a lot of expenses since water damage can cover furnishings, floors, ceilings, and walls. Given this costly consequence, it’s prudent for landlords to track leaks and maintain the pipes.

Ideally, pipes have to be inspected during winter and humid seasons since frozen and sweaty pipes can be an issue. This can lead to broken pipes, leaks, and mold growth.

On top of the exorbitant repair costs, you also want to spare your tenants from the inconvenience of experiencing leaks and clogged toilets. This can result in tenants refusing to renew their leases, leaving you to deal with a property vacancy.

You should also find time to inspect your gutter’s cleanliness and how efficient the drainage is. Spending time cleaning can help prevent leaks and other associated issues. In addition, budget for durable and top-tier pipes so leaks are rare. If it happens, arrange to promptly fix it.

Electricity

Electrical concerns shouldn’t be treated lightly since this can lead to injuries and possible death. Ensure that your electrical system is upgraded and matches the current electrical safety standards if your rental home is old. It’s recommended to hire a licensed electrician who knows the safety codes to protect your rental from risks.

At present, GFI (Ground Fault Interrupter) outlets are also commonly used. This provides more rental safety and you should place a GFI breaker in your unit if you don’t have one. It can keep your occupants safe from electric shocks and also reduces fire incidence.

Doors and Windows

Given that the point of entry is through doors and windows, it’s vital to keep them solid and durable. You must ensure that you choose the right materials and keep locks sturdy. If your doors and windows are secure, you limit trespassers from accessing your rental space easily.

Invest in security systems, install heavy locks and bolts, and make sure that your windows have solid latches and tempered glass. Remind renters to place barriers out of the way. Doors and windows shouldn’t be blocked since it can be difficult to get out during property emergencies.

Walls, Ceilings, and Floors

If you plan to attract retirees and families with kids to your rental unit, you should be cautious and pick flooring materials that prevent slippage. Avoid placing lives in danger by opting for waterproof non-slip surfaces. If you notice that the floors are uneven or sloping, contact a foundation expert to inspect the cause behind them.

Be vigilant about observing signs of foundation issues as well. Do you notice stains and cracks? Does the wallpaper peel off? Does the paint show signs of bubbling? This can be attributed to water damage and it’s essential to schedule an inspection from a professional contractor immediately.

You should also pay attention to ceilings and ensure that it reaches the required minimum height of 3 meters. Keep your renters protected from extreme heat and ensure proper rental insulation.

If you notice cracks and sagging signs, it’s time to call in a professional home inspector as well. You want to reduce possible tenant turnovers and high future repair costs.

Appliance Maintenance

Aside from the structure of your rental home, you also need to make sure that your appliances are well-maintained. Damaged appliances can overheat easily and explode. You also don’t want to overextend the lifespan of an appliance since internal wires can get faulty.

Note down the life expectancy per appliance so you can replace it if it’s past its prime. Appliances go through normal wear and tear the longer it’s used. Check what needs repair and what needs replacement.

If you want to spare yourself from continually replacing appliances, invest in higher-quality ones so it last longer and exposure to risks is kept low.

Paint Safety

Part of landlord-tenant laws mandates landlords to inform renters of the presence of lead in paint materials inside the rental home. Buildings constructed prior to 1978 contain potential lead which can affect a resident’s health. You can hire an expert to conduct a paint inspection and find a solution.

Prioritize safety in your rental and make sure to reduce the likelihood of lead poisoning, especially with kids occupying the unit.

Bottom Line

As a landlord, it’s vital to meet safety standards and perform preventive maintenance and regular inspections. But if you don’t have the available time to attend to the daily maintenance tasks, you can hire a trusted property manager like McKenna & Vane Property Management to oversee the safety of your rental investment.

Contact us today and find out how we can optimize your experience in the rental property investment industry!