5 Inexpensive Ways to Keep Your Tenants Safe

Dustin Edwards • January 2, 2025

Ensuring your tenant is safe is both a responsibility as a landlord as well as a key to maintaining a successful rental property. While there are many expensive safety measures, there are also many affordable options that can significantly improve the security of your property and the piece of mind of your tenant. Keeping your tenants safe should also be seen as an investment in your rental property. This can foster trust in your tenant, resulting in a long-term stay.


Today we’ve outlined five inexpensive ways to keep tenants safe, showing that effective safety measures don't need to be expensive.


Upgrade Outdoor Lighting

Upgrading your outdoor lighting is a simple and incredibly effective way to improve tenant safety. Entryways, walkways, and parking areas should be well-lit as it not only improves visibility it serves as a deterrent to potential intruders. Wrongdoers are less likely to target a well-lit property making outdoor lighting crucial for a safer environment.


There are many inexpensive options that can be used to improve lighting without breaking the bank. String lights powered by small solar panels are a great way to add light and a warm atmosphere. Many outdoor lights have this solar panel feature meaning you can illuminate walkways, landscapes, and the perimeter of the property without needing to call an electrician. However, if your budget allows, consider motion-detecting spotlights that shine whenever someone is near.


Secure Doors and Windows

Windows and doors are common entry points for trespassers, simple upgrades can significantly improve your rental’s safety without requiring a large investment. While adding peepholes to exteriors was considered standard, now you can purchase a video doorbell for as little as fifty dollars which can use the existing doorbell wiring to function. However, if your property doesn't have a functioning doorbell for only a hundred dollars you can purchase wireless doorbell cameras that need to be recharged every few months. This gives you a way to see who’s at the door even when your tenants aren't home. These are also great detergents as they’re great security cameras as well.


For physical protection, consider installing window locks to help prevent them from being easily forced open. You can reinforce the durability of the entry door by installing sturdier strike plates with longer screws. Doing this can increase the resistance to forced entry which offers an extra layer of protection.


Up to Date Fire Safety Equipment

Keeping tenants safe involves more than simply securing the rental against intruders, fire safety is equally as important. It's important to ensure your rental property is equipped with functional and up-to-date fire safety equipment. A good start is smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. While a requirement to have these installed in all homes, many tenants and landlords allow batteries to die which makes these detectors ineffective. Batteries should be checked monthly and replaced either every year or as recommended by the manufacturer. This is to ensure the units meet legal standards to maintain their reliability and compliance with safety regulations.


 Another affordable feature you can provide is fire extinguishers. These typically range between twenty-five and and fifty dollars, they can be kept in areas considered high risk such as the kitchen, grill, or fireplace. They should be replaced as recommended by the manufacturer or roughly every ten years for disposable units, or recharged every six years for rechargeable extinguishers.


Exit Safety

While single-family homes are rather straightforward when exiting the rental during an emergency, multi-unit rentals need to have a clearly visible emergency exit plan. Simple signs showing a map with an ideal emergency exit route are crucial in protecting tenants. 


Additionally, you can improve exit safety by keeping emergency exits well-lit and unobstructed. Regular inspections of the walkways can help to ensure clutter, or other obstacles are in the way during an emergency. Being proactive with your tenant's safety can significantly improve your tenant's safety as well as your tenant-landlord relationship.


Landscaping for Security

Landscaping isn’t only for improving curb appeal, it has a crucial role in providing safety and privacy to your tenants. Although setting up a brand new landscape can be expensive, simply maintaining the existing landscape can be enough to provide these benefits. Keep shrubs and tree branches clear from windows and walkways to improve visibility.


Maintaining the plants near the front of the property also helps to maintain a clear line of sight for security cameras or motion sensors. A well-thought-out landscape design can improve your tenant’s safety while also maintaining a welcoming curb appeal.


A small investment in improving your tenant’s safety may seem insignificant at first, yet it has the potential to keep long-term tenants satisfied. Which can result in a beneficial impact on your bottom line. If you need help adding safety features to your rental or if you need help managing Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online.

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If You Have These 3 Things, Consider Putting Solar Panels

By Dustin Edwards • May 22, 2025
As California becomes more and more electric, the idea of installing solar panels becomes more enticing for many landlords. While the initial investment may be quite expensive, there are a few things to consider before making the decision. By keeping these factors in mind, you can greatly reduce the overall cost of installation as well as reduce your operational costs throughout the lifespan of the solar panels. Below, we’ve compiled three considerations you should keep in mind before making your decision to install solar panels on your rental property. Long Term Ownership For landlords whose plan is to own their rental property for a long period of time, a solar energy system can be a strategic investment with long-term benefits. The longer you own a solar panel system, the lower the operational costs can be for your rental property. Unlike a homeowner, who sees their return through their energy bill. A landlord sees their return through lower vacancy rates and higher lease renewals. The initial expense associated with installing solar panels can be offset over time through reduced energy costs, improved property efficiency, and adjusting your property’s rent accordingly. Tenants are quite receptive to features that lower recurring expenses, such as their electricity bill. With so many people working from home, a lower energy bill can result in an improvement in tenant satisfaction , as well as reduced vacancy and turnover rates. The use of solar panels fits well in a long-term investment strategy that focuses on keeping operational costs low and reliable while improving your rental property’s value . Stand Out From the Competition In a competitive rental market, such as in Long Beach, CA. Features such as solar panels can help your property stand out to prospective tenants. Features such as solar panels can increase a rental property’s attractiveness to many tenants, though, specifically environmentally conscious individuals and younger tenants tend to gravitate towards rentals with solar panels more. Properties that are energy efficient appeal to renters who prioritize lower utility bills and more sustainable living conditions. These features may influence a prospective tenant’s decision when choosing between rentals of similar characteristics and space. Additionally, tenants who are interested in sustainability often care for the rental and follow the rules better than others. They are also more likely to opt into lease renewals. This means that solar panels can improve your bottom line through a more consistent monthly rental income due to the reduced vacancy and turnover rates. Your Roof is in Good Shape It goes without saying that your roof needs to be in a structurally sound condition in order to install solar panels. In general, a roof is expected to have a lifespan of twenty to twenty-five years, If your roof still has over fifteen years of proper functionality, it's ideal for installing solar panels without requiring additional costs for repair. If your roof is in good condition and won't require repairs in the foreseeable future, you’re far less likely to face problems that would require you to remove the solar panels temporarily. This can be expensive, which is why it's important you don't properly inspect your roof before making the decision to install solar panels. Installing a solar system on your rental property offers measurable benefits to your bottom line in reducing your vacancies and turnover rates, as well as keeping your rental property competitive in the market. If you’re unsure if your roof is structurally sound to install solar panels or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .

When To Include Utilities in Your Monthly Rent

By Dustin Edwards • May 17, 2025
Have you considered including utilities in your rent? Here are some of the most common utilities that help tenants see a greater value on renting your property

5 Signs It's Time To Replace Your Rental's Roof

By Dustin Edwards • May 8, 2025
Your property’s roof is its first line of defense from the sun, rain, and wind. Which means it will eventually wear out. Many landlords overlook this since a roof is generally designed to last twenty or so years, and they simply forget until the signs begin to show. Below, we’ve compiled a short list of five signs it’s time to replace your roof for when doing property inspections. Tenant Complaints When your roof has become damaged, your tenants will likely be the first to notice. When tenants report water stains on the walls and ceilings, it's a sign that you should inspect your roof. In severe cases, your tenant may notice water dripping from roof leaks. This moisture, if left unchecked, can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can be a health concern for your tenants. Some tenants simply move out, assuming the odors or recurring respiratory issues are caused by the rental and not just the roof. This leaves you with a vacancy to manage, and if you’re unable to find the leak during this period, the following tenant may have a negative experience as well. Many landlords have found it beneficial to have property inspections regularly in order to preserve both the property’s value and the tenant’s trust. Roof’s Age Even with the highest quality materials, a roof still has a shelf life. Most roofs in Long Beach, CA, use asphalt shingles, and these generally last around twenty to twenty-five years. Once they've passed this threshold, the faults begin to show themselves. A sagging roof line is a sign that your roof is due to be replaced, as it's a serious concern. It often indicates that moisture has entered the underlying decking and caused some structural damage. From ground level, you may not be able to notice these problems. However, during an inspection of the property, an experienced inspector should be able to notice soft spots or contours on the roof. These forms of damage often get worse over time. Coordinating these inspections and preventative maintenance can be difficult for landlords with an extensive portfolio, which is why many enlist help. Shingle Damage Damaged shingles are one of the most obvious signs that your roof is deteriorating. If you ever notice cracking, curling, or patches with missing shingles, the roof is no longer providing adequate protection to your property. Although you can buy time with spot repairs, if the entire roof shows signs of damage, it’s likely time to replace the roof. Aside from protecting your property, the roof affects your property’s curb appeal. A patchy and worn-out roof can drive down the rental appeal. Prospective tenants will easily be able to spot the differences between pictures taken in the listing when compared to the property in person. This can not only hurt your chances of filling a vacancy, but it can also hurt your reputation as a landlord. Granules in Gutters After heavy rainfall, it's a good idea to inspect your rain gutters. If you or your property manager notice large amounts of black or gray granules, it means your roof shingles are breaking down. These granules are critical for shedding water off the roof. Once the granules fall off the shingle, the shingle begins to degrade faster under the sun and elements. If you’re not sure how old your roof may be, Loss of granules can be a strong indicator that your roof is nearing the end of its lifespan. Regular gutter cleaning and roof inspections can help catch these problems early before they become expensive repairs . Increase in Utility Bills Your tenants complaining about their utility bills increasing or poor temperature control in the rental may not realize the roof is to blame. A failing roof can result in subpar insulation and ventilation. This can lead to higher heating and cooling bills for your tenant. This can be frustrating for your tenants while putting more strain on the HVAC system. This puts more wear and tear on your HVAC system. Being aware of the warning signs and being proactive can protect your rental property, maintain tenant satisfaction , and avoid emergency repairs. If you need help inspecting your roof or you need help managing your Beach City rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or complete our Owner Application online .
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