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Simple Updates to Keep Your Tenants Safe

Posted by Residential Leasing & Management Corp. in Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown, TX on Mar 02, 2012

Rental property management can become a lucrative investment with the proper knowledge and experience. If you own a second residential property, or are considering entering property management, you will need to learn about your responsibilities to your tenants. Renting to tenants can be worrisome, because you are partially responsible for their safety as their landlord. Here are a few things to consider when starting out in rental property management:

It is a good idea to maintain a good relationship with your tenants and respond to maintenance claims as soon as possible.
Learning the liability laws regarding rental property management for your state is imperative. What are you legally responsible for as a landlord?
Property maintenance is especially important in older properties that have been vacant for some time.
It is important to check roofs and electrical outlets after storms to protect your property against leaks and water damage. Replace loose shingles immediately.
Visit the property every week, or at a planned interval, to make sure vandals aren’t secretly occupying your house in your absence.
Protect against rodents, termites and insects, by scheduling yearly fumigation visits. Keep your home pest free with preventative bug control.
Consider keeping a schedule so you remember when you need to be changing air-conditioning filters, fixing plumbing, or taking care of electrical wiring.
Small surface changes like re-furnishing floors, painting walls, or updating fixtures can change the ambiance of the home completely.
Of course it isn’t wise to only make superficial changes and disregard the major repairs. Hire a property inspector to make sure the building is also up to code.

You may choose to forego the responsibilities associated with leasing management and being a landlord. Considering a property management company to handle the messy details associated with owning multiple residential properties is not only a great investment, it saves you time as well.

Residential Leasing and Management Corp. has been in the Houston property management market for a few decades. We have property management teams proudly serving many areas in southwest Texas. Our office locations include:Houston, Katy, Spring, Dallas, Fort Worth and The Woodlands areas. We handle every step of the real estate management process. You can trust us to keep your home safe, to find the perfect tenants for your rental, and mange your property while it’s vacant.