Security & Maintenance Issues on Your Property: How to Minimize the Risk

Owning a property is a rewarding and meaningful experience, but it also requires a lot of upkeep and vigilance. If you own a property, whether you live in it or rent it out, it is your responsibility to avoid security and maintenance issues. Read below to see how you can minimize the risk.

Security

Add Outdoor Lighting

This is an easy addition to an exterior space that allows you to have a better visual of your outer surroundings while living on your property. It can also deter robbers from breaking into an empty property because it makes the house look inhabited. Having lighting in both the front and back of the house provides you with an all-encompassing view of the property.

There are many types of outdoor lights that you can install. A popular choice is to use solar-powered lights that charge up during the day and automatically turn on when it gets dark. These are low maintenance and great for property owners who aren’t currently residing in their property and can’t go there every day to turn the lights on. 

Other options for outdoor lights include motion sensor lights that turn on whenever they detect movement in front of one of the property’s entrances. This can deter possible intruders and scare away critters that are trying to burrow in your outdoor areas and cause damage. 

Have Regular Property Inspections

If you are the owner of multiple properties, both vacant and occupied, it is important to conduct regular checks on each property. It is hard to always do these checks yourself, so if you need to hire someone, click here to discover how regular property inspections can help prevent you from having a break-in. Most times properties are empty because they are between tenants or the owners have just finished building it and have yet to move in. 

Sometimes new building sites can be a target for squatters because they know that no one is living in the houses yet. Comprehensive vacant property inspections can keep you up to date on what is going on at your property and alert you of any suspicious activity. 

Install a Security System

If you want to have a firmer grasp of the security of your property, installing a security system, complete with cameras and recording equipment is a great way to go. This means that you can monitor your property from an app on your phone whether you are down the street or halfway across the world. Many security system companies have adopted the latest technology to help arm you with the best surveillance possible. 

A security system can include door-locking technology, passcode alarm systems, and motion detector cameras that will record activity on front and back porches. These features are great for moments when you think you forgot to lock an exterior door or are worried about suspicious activity in your neighborhood.  

Maintenance

Pest Control

One of the first ways that nature starts to reclaim a property is through critters who seek shelter in its walls. Maintaining a property, whether it is vacant or not, must include having some level of pest control so that there is no long-term damage to the property. This kind of damage can deter future residents from committing to stay there and can also deeply impact resale value. 

Pests like termites can get into the walls of a property and completely destroy the wood infrastructure, rendering the property condemned. Likewise, rodents like mice, rats, or opossums can nest in the walls of empty properties, causing awful smells and damage. To prevent these kinds of pests, do regular checks of the attics, basements, and possible exterior entry points and make sure they are sealed off. You should also contact pest control specialists the moment you suspect you have a pest problem at your property.

Keep Landscaping Maintained

The outward appearance of your property says a lot about who and if someone lives there. If you are the owner of a vacant property or you plan on being away for a long while, it is important to maintain your landscaping so that your house doesn’t look uninhabited. A house with an overgrown lawn is a direct target for thieves as they like to scope out neglected properties because they assume they are empty. 

Emergency Preparedness

No matter how well you maintain your property, emergencies can still occur. So it is important to have an emergency plan in case of natural disasters, fires, or any unforeseen events. Make sure that everyone is aware of the emergency procedures and has access to emergency contact information.

Keeping a property secure and maintained is a lot of work, but it is worth it for the value it brings to your life. Whether your property is where you live or something you manage, follow these tips to minimize risk and damage to your property.

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