When you invest in a vacation rental property, it’s essential to understand your property management responsibilities. Your property management duties extend to your understanding of security.
Your tenants need to know that both themselves and their belongings will be secure in your rental – so which security measures do you need to provide?
Keep reading as we discuss the best security practices in vacation rental management to keep your tenants safe and secure.
Equipping Your Property With Security
Investing in building security is the best way to secure your vacation rental property. You need to protect both your tenants and your property. Intrusion and property damage will cause losses for both you and your tenants. Below are some of the top security investments for your vacation rental property.
Access Control
If you were to use traditional key and lock systems for your vacation rental, this would present a few problems:
- Firstly, it would make it more challenging to provide your tenants with keys when they make a reservation, as you would need to arrange key collection.
- Secondly, it needs to secure your building more effectively. Traditional locks are vulnerable to lockpicking.
Card key door entry systems to make security more manageable and less vulnerable to lockpicking, or you can even opt for mobile access control.
Mobile-first access control is a cloud-based solution. It allows your tenants to unlock the door using their mobile devices instead of a key card or fob. Implementing this entry method will eliminate the need for key collection, as your tenants can simply download access credentials to their mobile devices.
Additionally, it eliminates the need for a key, keycard, or fob replacement should your tenant lose their key, saving you money. Below are some of the additional benefits you can gain from implementing mobile-first access control:
- Remote management – you and your tenants can remotely operate door locks from anywhere and check that doors are locked to ensure security.
- Touchless entry – you do not need to present your device to the access reader to enter the building. If you wave your hand over the reader, it will begin communicating with your device via Bluetooth, WiFi, or cellular communication to unlock the door.
Opting for this technology will create a more user-friendly experience for your tenants, and it will allow you to make property management processes more convenient.
Video Security
Video security is an essential consideration for your vacation rental. If a crime occurs while tenants are at your property and your assets are damaged, you need evidence to aid in a police investigation and insurance claim. It also helps to know that a third party, not your tenants, caused the damage.
With cloud-based video security, you can stay aware of your property’s security from anywhere using a mobile application. Access to your security footage from anywhere can help you check the building’s status in case of a fire alarm trigger or emergency. A 360 security camera can also help you maximize your cameras’ views, reducing the number of cameras you need in your security plan.
Alarm Systems
Alarm systems are essential for those renting a property. You need fire and carbon monoxide detectors to ensure your tenants are safe and comply with health and safety regulations. When your property is unoccupied, you need to know that no one is accessing the space. Implementing glass-break and intrusion sensors will help you know that your property is secure when no tenants are staying there – avoiding the repercussions of squatting.
Considering Your Property’s Vulnerabilities
In addition to providing your property with effective security solutions, you must consider your property’s vulnerabilities. You need to know how many entry points there are in your property and how susceptible they would be to a break-in. For instance, if you had an accessible balcony on your property with a thin glass door and unreliable lock, it might be time to consider opting for a more secure door.
Considering Health And Safety Obligations
While considering how to secure your building with security tools and practices, you should also consider your health and safety obligations. If there are any unsafe features in your rental property, and these features cause harm to your tenants, you could face losses.
Should your tenant become harmed, they may sue you. Before renting your property, performing hazard assessments is a good idea. Consider the following in your evaluation:
- Are there handrails for any staircases in your building?
- Are there any ledges in your building that do not have railings and protective barriers?
- If there is a pool on your property, have you provided the proper signage?
By thinking along these lines, you can reduce the likelihood of injury on your property and your exposure to personal injury claims. You should also incorporate disclaimers in your property advertisements, limiting your liability for damages on your property.
Summary
When securing your vacation rental property, it’s essential to understand the security tools and technologies available. You must also take the time to evaluate how safe the infrastructure of your property is from a security perspective. To mitigate your risk for injuries on your property, you should also look into the health and safety measures you should provide for your tenants.
