How to Avoid Dangers from Rental Property Fireplaces!
Many tenants use fireplaces during the winter months, which is why it is important for tenants to know how to safely use a fireplace, from gas to wood burning to everything in between. Properly using a fireplace will prevent smoke damage, fires and a homeowner nightmare. Not to mention investors potentially losing their entire investment property from a fire. It’s happened plenty of times and our team at Barker Realty really focuses on educating both our clients, investors and tenants about these potential dangers.
Facts & Precautions
According to the National Fire Protection Association, home fires cause 374,000 homes catch on fire per year. This costs $8 billion in damage every year. Fireplaces are one of the top causes of home fires. Fifty percent of home fires occur during the months of December, January and February.
Obstructed flue, creosote buildup and fireplace damage are one of the leading causes of fires. Fireplace damage can also cause fires. Safety is of the utmost importance. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do in order to prevent fires.
We advise all Durham property managers, investors, rental property managers and landlords to have their chimney inspected and cleaned by a professional every year. If you have a wood-burning fireplace, then creosote will build up inside of the fireplace and flue. Creosote does not deposit inside of a gas fireplace. However, deposit and moisture can develop inside of a gas fireplace, which can also cause big issues down the road, such as causing the fireplace to deteriorate and not function properly.
You will also need to make sure that carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors are working properly. The home should have a fire extinguisher inside of it. Furthermore, Durham property managers should educate new tenants about fireplace safety. They should also educate people about what they should do in order to properly use their fireplaces.
Let tenants know that they need to contact management as soon as possible if they suspect that something is wrong with the fireplace. There may not be a problem with the fireplace, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
If you need an experienced property management company to guide you through your new investment property or to take over your current portfolio, contact Barker Realty today to schedule a time to meet/talk. Our team is confident in helping you keep your rentals safe and your tenants happy.
Managers are some of the most critical team members in any company offering property management services. Just like any other company, safety and security of your team should always be top priority.
The roles assigned to managers, including showing properties and homes to strangers, is somewhat unsafe when you think about it, and property managers are expected to perform their duties as well as take precautions to minimize risks that come with the job.
Below are 10 safety tips that our property managers at Barker Realty follow before going into the field, which we’d like to share with you.
1. Gather Information about the Client
Collecting information before meeting any client is crucial. The info might reveal whether a client poses any threat or has any ill motive towards you or your company. Proper screening of clients can help you collect relevant client information.
2. Meet Clients at the Office
The first meeting with a client should always be at the company offices. You get first impressions and get to judge their character. Collecting information about a potential client including where they work and their current home address will be more comfortable in the office.
3. Be Cautious
Always leave valuables at homes or the workplace. Also, avoid giving too much personal information to your client.
4. Follow Company Financial Policy
Always let clients know the company financial policy. Rent and security deposits should be paid directly to the company’s bank accounts. Also, avoid handling too much cash in front of a client.
5. Be Assertive
If you feel uncomfortable around a client, excuse yourself. Get to a safe place and inform a trusted co-worker. In this business, it’s recommendable that you always trust your instincts.
6. Maintain a Good Relationship with Co-Workers
Always ensure you have someone on standby who knows your schedules for the day. A trusted colleague or your boss may prove very helpful. In case of you don’t return on time, they will know how to locate you.
7. Always Play Safe
Avoid going into basements, attics or closets. Open the door to a room, allow clients to go first as you follow them behind.
8. Let Clients Know Your Schedule
If you have other appointments, let your clients know that other people are expecting you. Show your client how important your job is to you in a friendly way.
9. Use Surveillance Equipment
Install CCTV cameras on your office premises. Cameras will be useful for facial recognition of clients who walk in out of the office premises. Surveillance adds protection the property by identifying threats fast.
10. Attend Training Seminars
Most companies that offer property management services have safety and work conduct seminars. Attend these workshops to improve your knowledge base.
If you have additional questions or looking for an excellent property management service provider, look no further. Request an appointment today with our Apex property managers full of experience and expertise, especially when it comes to remaining safe in the field.
Whether you constructed or bought the property you own, you understand how huge an investment it is. This is why you will spare no effort to ensure that your property is in good condition at all times. With regular property inspections throughout the year, you will not only ascertain the structural integrity of the building but will also have a chance to correct any defects in a timely manner so as to protect your asset. Even though you may have property managers, here are some other benefits of property inspections.
1. Documentation of Property Condition
Annual property inspections will give you a great opportunity to document lease violations at your property or unreported damage. By hiring a qualified professional to do the job, we will not only check for tenant damages but we will also assess the overall condition of the property.
2. Check & Improve Owner Liability
When you own property, regular inspections will help you be sure that your investment is safe and in good condition. Once you have had a professional property inspection done, you will easily establish whether appliances, such as smoke detectors & CO2 detectors, are in perfect working condition. As a property owner, you will have fulfilled your responsibility of a well maintained environment for all occupants of the building.
3. Avoid Deferred Maintenance
While your property management company may inform you of areas that need repairs and maintenance, there is a good chance that some specific areas will be overlooked. By addressing any structural issues in good time, you will not only avoid deferred maintenance and repairs but will also save a significant amount of money.
4. Validate Insurance Policies
In some cases, landlord insurance may demand that annual property inspections be carried out on your property. If you fail to do the inspections within the stipulated timeframe, you may risk losing coverage or getting the policy invalidated. This is why you should arrange for property inspections to comply with the requirements of your insurance policy.
5. Increase Tenant Retention
When you make sure that the structural integrity of your building is maintained, you will ensure that your tenants feel cared for. When they feel safe, this may help you to retain them, building a relationship for a considerable period of time. In the long run, you may enjoy higher and consistent return on your rental property.
Hiring a local Cary property management company like Barker Realty will also help to add value to your property. It is advisable to take time before settling on the property managers that will meet your needs. Contact us today to learn how we can help you enjoy the peace of mind that comes with property ownership.
Many homes sustain extensive damage during the harsh winter months. Your Raleigh rental property, however, doesn’t have to be one of them. Prepare for the worst and avoid costly repairs with the following winter real estate maintenance tips.
Clean out the gutters
Leaves and debris can block water and allow it to pool. Then, when the cold hits, it freezes, causing your gutters to warp and crack. Therefore, be sure to clean your gutters one last time before winter comes. You may also want to disconnect and drain your garden hoses after doing so
Take time to insulate
An important aspect of winter property maintenance is insulating and sealing your home so that heat can’t escape. Be sure to caulk any holes in your walls; apply weather stripping to your doors and windows; and seal any seams. Make sure that you fully insulate your attic or basement as well.
Inspect and fix the roof
A key component of your real estate maintenance schedule should be roof inspection and repairs. You don’t want to discover a leaky roof in the middle of a heavy storm! It may also be a good idea to remove nearby tree branches that could fall and weigh down the roof’s surface.
Wrap up your pipes
A broken or burst pipe can cause extensive property damage. Insulation sleeves are a simple, affordable option that can help you avoid a disaster and overall headache. If you are a Raleigh property manager, advise your tenants to leave the faucets dripping overnight when temperatures sink below freezing.
Need Raleigh property management help? Call Barker Realty
These winter property maintenance tips can help you stay warm and cozy when storms come. If you need any help or assistance, Barker Realty and our sister company, Barker Property Maintenance, are just a call away. Our professionally certified plumbers, electricians and general contractors are always available to assist your residential, commercial, or rental property needs.
For many people, the holiday season is the best time of the year. However, all the hustle and bustle of the holidays brings new challenges for landlords and property managers in Raleigh. Below are some tips to keep your Raleigh investment property and tenants as safe as possible this season!
Remind Residents of Fireplace Safety
According to the National Fire Protection Association(NFPA), nearly half of all home heating fires occur in December, January and February. You can reduce the risk by distributing safety reminders to residents; checking the smoke alarms in all rentals; and schedule a chimney inspection and cleaning to ensure proper performance. Additionally, make sure residents are aware of correct evacuation procedures.
Remind Residents of Electric Safety
As residents plug in more and more lights to create the perfect festive atmosphere, beware of how much they are plugging in to which circuits. Instruct tenants to never use more than 3 strings of lights per extension cord, as this presents a definite fire hazard. In addition, remind residents to never leave electric heaters or electric heating blankets plugged in and running. More forgetful residents might want to employ the use of a timer.
Prepare to Melt Icy Roads
Each year, around 22 million tons of rock salt is dumped on roads and sidewalks in the U.S. While this has been shown to reduce vehicular accidents, the environmental costs are significant: it seems into the soil, groundwater, lakes, and streams, making them unsafe for human and animal consumption. Consider these natural ice melting alternatives, and stock up!
Protect Residents from Porch Pirates
The Christmas season means an increase in package deliveries and, unfortunately, an uptick in porch pirates. Installing very obvious surveillance cameras in the parking lots, security lights, and other security measures can go a long way towards making sure your residents’ packages are safe!
Spread Some Holiday Cheer
The holiday season presents a perfect opportunity for landlords to thank their tenants with small treats and gifts. You might make a “holiday care package” containing a sweet treat, fire and electric safety brochures, hand sanitizer (since this is flu season, after all!) and a small gift, like a calendar for the new year or ice scraper. These small tokens will help foster good relationships with your tenants that can last the whole year through!
Barker Realty, Inc is a Raleigh property management company providing tenant screening services, real estate investment consulting, and more to the Raleigh-Durham area. To learn more about our services, click here!
Before the sugar high hits and the creepers come a-crawlin’, there are few steps Raleigh property managers should take in order to give their residents the safest, happiest Halloween possible. Below are a few Halloween safety tips for landlords and rental property owners!
Invest in Good Lighting
We have mentioned a few times before how important it is to invest in bright, high-quality for your investment property. Good lighting will help residents stay safe on pathways, steps, and entrances, and provide a feeling of security while they are journeying to their car, the mailbox, the pool, or the trash area. If you haven’t already set up good lighting, now’s the time to do it!
Clear Common Areas
Halloween night will no doubt see a lot of excited, sugar-crazed children in bulky costumes returning from trick-or-treating fun. Before the night arrives, do a quick safety scan for debris, trash, fallen branches, holes, and any other tripping hazards. It’s better to be safe than sorry!
Advise Tenants to Keep Pets Inside
Even the most well-behaved pet can become anxious amid all the chaos and hubbub of Halloween night. Combine that with a lot of strangers in scary costumes–which your pet probably doesn’t consider a costume–and you have a recipe for disaster. Advise your tenants to keep all pets inside on the 31st to protect trick-or-treating children and other residents. In addition, remind your tenants that cats, especially black cats, can become targets of unscrupulous neighborhood hooligans on Halloween night, and should therefore be kept safely indoors.
Distribute Fire Safety Reminders
Finally, take into consideration the plentiful candle-lit decorations and Jack-O’-Lanterns that will likely be scattered throughout your rental property on Halloween, and decide what you would like to do about these sources of open flame. You might want to impose a ban on open-flame decorations altogether, requiring electric tea lights instead. Or, you could just take this opportunity to remind residents about proper fire procedures. Regardless of your open flame policy, have your property management team verify that all smoke alarms are in working order before the festivities occur.
Investing in rental property doesn’t have to be scary with Barker Realty!
Sending out tenant reminders; cleaning up your property; replacing burned-out bulbs; checking smoke alarms: all of these things take time. If you’d rather spend that time on other commitments, call our Raleigh NC property management company. Our experienced property managers can help you secure the right Raleigh investment property, and then keep it running like clockwork. That way you can insure that your investment has no tricks, and all treats!
