As a property manager, you want to protect your investment and your tenants from any potential threats. Whether it's burglary, vandalism, fire, or natural disasters, you need to take proactive measures to ensure your property's safety. Here are some tips to help you secure your property and prevent costly damages.
The first step to securing your property is to identify the possible hazards and vulnerabilities that could affect it. You can conduct a risk assessment yourself or hire a professional to do it for you. A risk assessment will help you evaluate the current security measures, identify the weak spots, and prioritize the actions you need to take. Some of the factors you should consider are the location, the type and age of the building, the occupancy rate, the crime rate, the fire safety, and the emergency preparedness of your property.
Documenting all possible risks is a crucial first step in protecting your property. As an expert in NYC Coop & Condo Consulting, I can't stress enough the importance of understanding the unique vulnerabilities of each property. This could range from the physical structure of the building to policies and procedures, or house rules that govern the building. Not until you have assessed the current can you make improvements to reduce the property's risks.
On top of the assessment, one should also determine which strategy one should adopt for their risk acceptance. There is prevention and also deterrent which is often mixed up or confused as the same strategy.
One of the simplest and most effective ways to secure your property is to install high-quality locks and doors. You should choose locks that are resistant to picking, drilling, and bumping, and doors that are solid and durable. You should also make sure that all the windows, gates, and garages have proper locks and are in good condition. You should also keep track of the keys and change the locks whenever a tenant moves out or a key is lost or stolen.
Ease of accessing the locks is also a factor. Number of locks is also another factor. Statistically, the more troublesome it is (more locks, layers or difficulty to access the locks), the more off putting it will be to the potential intruders. Intruders usually target victim of ease.
Another way to deter intruders and monitor your property is to install security cameras and alarms. You should place cameras at strategic locations, such as the entrances, exits, hallways, parking lots, and common areas. You should also choose cameras that have clear resolution, night vision, and motion detection features. You should also install alarms that can alert you and the authorities in case of a break-in, fire, or other emergency. You should also test and maintain your cameras and alarms regularly to ensure they are working properly.
Alarms and cameras complement both strategy of prevention and deterrent well. One often common mistake by owners is concealing these system. In fact both alarm signs and cameras shall be very visible to be seen to serve as a big deterrent to intruders so that they do not attempt any break in. In fact, well positioned dummy cameras alone usually suffice to deter break ins.
If you have a large or high-risk property, you may want to hire security guards or patrols to provide extra protection and surveillance. Security guards or patrols can patrol your property, check the visitors, enforce the rules, and respond to any incidents. You should look for reputable and licensed security companies that have trained and experienced staff. You should also communicate your expectations and needs clearly and regularly with the security provider.
This strategy works both ways. Besides relying on them, owners are also at risk from them. With data being so valuable nowadays, security companies are often being examined as the source of leaking sensitive information as when a unit of vacant. Unscrupulous service providers may be the root cause of the break ins as well.
Finally, you should educate your tenants about the importance of security and how they can contribute to it. You should inform them about the security policies and procedures of your property, such as locking their doors and windows, reporting any suspicious activity, and following the fire safety guidelines. You should also encourage them to get renters insurance to cover their personal belongings in case of theft or damage. You should also foster a sense of community and cooperation among your tenants, as they can help each other and watch out for each other's safety.
Very true. Security starts by self awareness. Where possible, always try NOT to confirm to any fix patterns or schedules. One of the most effective way is to foster connectivity with neighbours and also be on the lookout for your own neighbours too. There is synergy in numbers to prevent crime for sure.