Burglary cases are a landlord’s worst nightmare. No landlord wants to receive a distraught tenant’s call that someone just broke into their rental unit. Aside from the possible loss of priceless items that they may not be able to replace, having one’s home broken into can be a very traumatic experience.
Whether this is your first break-in or not, knowing what to do when you discover one is essential to protect your belongings and safety. That’s why homeowners need to know what to do when a burglary occurs on their rental property. This could range from being aware of their legal obligations and liabilities under the law to the psychological and financial effects on their tenants. Read along as this post sheds more light on what to do after a burglary in your rental.
What Steps Should Tenants Do After a Burglary?
1. Report the Burglary
It’s advisable for tenants not to go inside if they discover your house has been broken into, as the burglar might still be inside. In this case, it would be best if you dial 911. A police officer may need to gather information to aid their investigation, so try not to touch or move anything until they arrive. It’s important to snap photos of the scene of the crime. Give as much information as possible, including a description of any missing items, drawings, pictures, or serial numbers, and information about anyone you saw leaving or walking around your house.
If you need to submit an insurance claim, it’s essential to have a written record of the burglary by reporting it and filing a police report. Also, if reports of burglaries start to rise, the authorities may issue a burglary alert in a neighborhood or increase police patrols.
2. Don’t Touch Anything
Even though your first impulse might be to clean up after the break-in, put on rubber gloves, and scrub your home clean of any evidence, it’s best to stay away from moving or disturbing items since you might damage the evidence. Take pictures of the area, including the broken windows and doors and the empty spots where the stealing happened. All of it can facilitate the filing of an insurance claim.
3. Document Everything
For insurance purposes, you should concentrate on taking pictures of the scene after the authorities have finished their investigation or if they advise against it. Taking lots of photos and tracking what has been lost or damaged is the quickest and most straightforward way to accomplish this. Inspect your property thoroughly and note any areas that seem compromised, especially any noticeable spots where items go missing, like a TV stand or computer desk. This will help speed up filing a claim on your house insurance policy.
4. Secure your Property
This should be your next stop if your property has been broken into because it’s most likely no longer secure. Fixing damaged windows or doors is essential to preventing additional losses or damages because you don’t want burglars to enter the house again.
To make things appear safe from the outside, consider covering broken windows with cardboard or wood in the interim and reinstalling the door. The worst thing you can do is leave a large opening in your house, as this will only attract opportunistic thieves passing by.
3 Ways to Upgrade Security Measures in a Rental
1. Install Cameras
One of the most effective deterrents against crime is a security camera. It’s among your most excellent options for recording illegal activity and apprehending the perpetrator. Most tenants will be okay with installing one or two outdoor cameras, even though they will not want cameras placed inside the home. Installing a DIY camera setup is pretty simple now that the industry and technology have advanced.
2. Replace your Locks
Replacing the locks after every tenant vacates is a wise decision. A secured rental with additional features attracts quality tenants, and Bay Property Management Group Richmond agrees. Having an old tenant with keys to the property and abusing this access is the last thing you want to happen.
However, as the landlord, it’s always important to have access to your property. Even though you can’t just show up at the house whenever you want, you require a functional key that allows you to enter when necessary. Make sure your lease expressly addresses this by including a lock policy. Keyless entry systems can help improve rental home security.
3. Invest in Outdoor Lighting
Installing good outdoor lighting is one of the simplest tricks for protecting your rental property. Communal areas, as well as any back exits and parking lots, should generally be well-lit. Installing automatic lights above doorways gives your tenants peace of mind.
They can control when the automatic light turns on or off, eliminating the need to fumble with their keys in the dark. If tenants must turn off the lights before leaving, they can always double-check. Automatic lights also create the illusion that your tenant is present, even if they are away on vacation or working.
Conclusion
Let’s sum it all up by saying that it is essential for both landlords and tenants to prioritize safety following a burglary incident. Record the damages immediately, notify your insurance company, and report the incident to the police.
To stop similar incidents from happening again, landlords should make sure repairs happen promptly and that there’s an increase in security. Considering extra personal safety precautions, tenants must communicate regularly with their landlord. Together, both parties can ensure safety and keep future break-ins from reoccurring.
