Rental property security has to be a top priority for landlords and real estate investors because it impacts the safety of tenants and the protection of assets. You need to keep a constant eye on your property, to make sure it isn’t in danger or providing an opportunity for con artists and fraudsters to take advantage of you and your tenants. 

There are several things that you can do to maximize rental property security and minimize the risk of burglaries, vandalism, break-ins, and other security incidents. As local property managers, we understand the threats and the preventative measures that can be taken. Here are some practical tips for maximizing rental property security, including securing the property, protecting tenant data, and educating tenants on best safety practices.

Secure your San Jose Rental Property

One of the most effective ways to maximize rental property security is by ensuring it’s impossible to enter the property without a key or authorized access. This can be achieved in several ways, including:

• Install deadbolt locks on all doors so that tenants can lock themselves in while keeping everyone else out.
• Invest in window locks to ensure it’s not easy for people to break in through a window. Pay special attention to sliders on patio doors or sliding glass doors. 
• Install bright exterior lighting to illuminate dark areas. Motion lights can also be a deterrent. 
• Install video surveillance cameras around the property. These are known to deter crime and provide evidence in case of a security incident.
• Video doorbells are extremely popular and can enhance security as well as convenience.
• Install keypads and change the combination as necessary. This prevents keys from being made and getting lost. You want to control who has keys or access to your property.
• Trim back bushes and trees from windows and doors. You don’t want to provide a hiding place for potential home invaders, burglars, or criminals. 

These are just a few immediate steps you can take during any turnover period or other opportunity you might have to make some upgrades and updates to the security at your rental property. Talk to your tenants so they know what you’re doing and why. 

Keep Up with Regular Maintenance and Inspections 

Keeping your rental property well-maintained is a key part of protecting your investment and ensuring that your rental property remains secure. Here are some tips for preventative maintenance that leads to better security:

• Check and replace door and window locks as old and rusty hardware is susceptible to break-ins. Doors and windows should be able to open and close easily and lock securely. 
• Inspect alarms and in applicable, security cameras or video doorbells regularly.
• Make immediate repairs. Doors that have loose handles, windows that are cracked, and garage doors that don’t close all the way are examples of security breaches that you don’t want to leave for too long.

Conduct thorough and well-documented inspections before and after your tenant moves into and out of the property. Schedule at least one maintenance walk-through during the lease term, while your property is occupied. This will give you an opportunity to make sure there isn’t any deferred or unreported maintenance lurking in your property, and you can also check on safety and security features.

Protect Tenant Data

More and more, threats are coming from digital spaces rather than physical ones. Not only are you trying to protect your rental property from dangerous people, you’re also trying to protect your tenants and their identity from scammers who would hack into your system or steal your files to gain access to banking and personal information. 

As a landlord or real estate investor, you are responsible for protecting the personal data of your tenants. Tenant data includes sensitive information like social security numbers, addresses, and credit card details. Here are some tips for protecting tenant data:

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  Ensure all financial information is encrypted. As San Jose property managers, we invest in property management technology that offers a lot of security. Make sure you’re not putting your information or your tenant’s information into the wrong hands. We recommend a trusted property management software that incorporates bank-level encryption.
• Secure the property documents in a secure and locked cabinet. You likely have paper files in addition to digital files. They should be accessible only to you.
• Encourage online rental payments. It’s a lot easier for a fraudster to steal an account number off a paper check than it is to hack into your system to steal it.

Make sure you know the Fair Credit Reporting Act and all of its requirements. You’re a steward of the financial and sensitive information that you collect from your tenants. 

Educate Tenants on Best Security Practices