The Ins and Outs of Installing a Security System as a Landlord
Buying a home is one of the most significant investments a person can make. You upgrade your home in many ways—a fresh coat of paint, a landscaping project, or possibly adding a security system.
If you go a step further and invest in rental properties, you have to do all those things and more to keep both your tenants and property safe. A security system makes sense if you want to protect your investment.
Why Should You Install a Security System at Your Rental Property
A security system provides peace of mind for both you and your tenants, gives your property a competitive edge in a crowded market, and is a value-added feature that allows you to (rightfully) charge more for rent. Need some more justification? Here are a few common reasons landlords install security systems:
Keep an eye on tenants—sometimes renters exceed the allowable occupancy or have huge parties. The landlord has a right to document those violations.
Hold contracted workers accountable—some workers clock in late, clock out early, or don’t show up at all. No matter what the situation, it’s always helpful to verify the service on your property.
Prevent theft and vandalism.
Monitor when vacant—there will be times when there are no renters, and you want to ensure no one is accessing your property without permission.
Landlord Best Practices
Be sure you research and follow any local and state laws regarding security cameras and where landlords can install them. Every state has different laws in place to ensure the privacy of tenants.
The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, a Washington D.C. organization that provides pro bono legal representation to protect First Amendment freedoms, reports “unauthorized installation or use of hidden cameras is a felony punishable by fines and up to two years in prison.”
Below are three best practices to keep in mind for a security system at your rental property:
Know the code—This means if the tenant changes it, they must notify you. You should always have access to the property. There may be an emergency; you may have to schedule repairs or show the property again if a tenant leaves.
Teach your tenants how to use the system—this will minimize wasteful and annoying false alarms, which will, in turn, help keep your monitoring fees from going up because of excessive calls.
Put a security clause in your lease—it’s a great way to document that your tenants know there is a system on-site, and it protects you against claims of secretive recording.
When you decide to install a security system at your rental property, FSS Technologies is ready to help every step of the way. See some of our solutions for homes and businesses.
Explore Our Other Blogs
7 NFPA Codes Every Business Should Know
Business owners have an enormous responsibility to ensure their employees and customers are protected from fire hazards. Companies in industries like manufacturing and property management each face unique challenges in preventing fires and meeting code requirements. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), one of the world’s leading experts in fire and life safety, has published…
How to Choose a Security Monitoring Company
A security monitoring company is one that specializes in monitoring your alarm system. If the system detects an issue, such as a fire, break-in, or another emergency, it notifies a response team at the central monitoring agency, and sometimes, it will even inform emergency responders such as police or firefighters. Most reputable monitoring companies can…
What Are The Different Types of CCTV Cameras?
Your company’s security camera is part of a closed-circuit television system (CCTV). CCTV uses one or more cameras, through either wireless or wired transmission, to send the broadcast from the camera directly to a monitor, set of monitors, or a recording device—providing you peace of mind in the case of crime, fire, theft, or accidents…
How to Make Your Business’s Fire and Security Systems ADA Compliant
The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was created to stop discrimination against and to ensure the rights of people with disabilities. It serves as an equal opportunity law for people with disabilities, defined as “physical or mental impairment that substantively limits one or more major life activities.” For businesses, the ADA means that the services…
The Risky Business of Ring’s Vulnerable Security
If you are like the rest of Americans, you have noticed that the Ring Security company has been in the news lately— and not for anything useful. Between security hacks and lawsuits, the company has landed itself in hot water. Surveillance Camera Hacks Homeowners have security cameras installed in their homes to give them peace…
How Often Should You Inspect Your Fire Alarm System?
Everyone dreads the day when fire alarm systems are being tested because they are often loud and annoying. However, the importance of making sure your fire alarms are working properly outweighs the small distraction of lights and noise. Putting off a fire alarm inspection can be both risky and negligent for business owners as it…
Winter Commercial Fire Safety Tips
While fire safety and prevention are crucial year-round, unique fire hazards accompany winter’s freezing temperatures. The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that many holiday-related factors contribute to an increased fire risk during the winter months, and commercial settings are just as vulnerable. Besides creating and reviewing company-wide fire safety procedures, here are 4 tips…
How to Deter Burglars From Your Business
Burglaries are often considered crimes of opportunity, leaving businesses struggling to recover in the aftermath. Although there is no all-powerful solution to protect your business, you can implement various preventative measures that bolster your security efforts. Here are 5 actions you can take to help deter burglars from casing and breaking into your business. 1….
What to Do After a Break In
No one ever wants to be victimized by a burglar, but the fact is that many will encounter a theft or break-in at some point in their lifetime. A recent study by Bankrate shows that there are over 1 million burglaries in the United States each year, with a new burglary happening approximately every 26…
Do Smoke Detectors Call the Fire Department?
One of the most asked questions about fire alarm systems is whether smoke detectors call the fire department. The belief that a smoke detector or fire alarm will automatically activate the fire department or send a signal to local first responders is a common misunderstanding. While some systems may be integrated with monitoring services, that’s not always…