Property management companies in Clearwater suggest the following simple ways to help maintain the security of your Florida investment property:
- Lighting. Make sure the exterior of the property is well lit. Motion-detecting flood lights are effective in that they only come on when needed, saving money.
- Window latches. Provide secure latches for every window in the property and make sure tenants know how to use them.
- Window glass. Be sure to repair any cracked or broken glass in doors and windows.
- Keys. Change keys as necessary so that any old keys floating around are no longer usable. Limit tenants to one set of keys. You may want to consider issuing keys that cannot be copied.
- Smoke alarms. Make sure that all smoke alarms are regularly serviced with new batteries. Test them to be sure they're working properly.
- Deadbolts. Deadbolt locks are a good idea for all exterior doors, though they should not be the kind that require a key to get out of the house, as this may be a violation of fire regulations.
- Light timers. If your home sits unrented for any period of time, you may want to invest in timers for your indoor and outdoor lights. These inexpensive timers suggest that someone is home.
- Security system. An electronic security system is always an option and provides peace of mind to renters and owners alike. If this is simply not in your budget, consider a "Beware of Dog" sign placed in a prominent location.
