Do you own rental units? If so, you know the value of having a relationship with a team of vendors, services, and contractors you can call on when the need arises. Have you added a locksmith to this team? If not, here are four of the best reasons to add one now.
1. Emergency Lockouts. There will come a time when you need to change the locks quickly and simply. From a tenant who has lost an eviction hearing to a key that wasn't returned when someone left unexpectedly, the reasons to change locks and prevent entry are many and varied. But when the need arises, it often needs to be handled fast — whether or not it's during normal business hours.
2. Changes Between Tenants. Most landlords change the locks between tenants, regardless of how good or bad the relationship with the tenant was before departure. This is for the safety of future renters as well as the security of your property. When the rental market is slow, you may have weeks between an old tenant leaving and a new one arriving. But in a hot market, this turnaround could be days or even less. When you have an established relationship with a locksmith, you jump the line when it comes to house calls.
3. Regular Lock Rotation. Best practices include changing locks on a regular basis as a preventative measure. Do you have a set schedule to replace aging locks that may not work well any more? What about replacing locks to common areas for which prior tenants may still have keys? And don't forget the locks you use to protect tools and equipment you own? If you haven't re-keyed these locks in a while, now is the time to get it done before something happens.
4. Security Concerns. If you or your tenant has a worrisome security concern, you need to act quickly to alleviate it. If a tenant's abusive ex-boyfriend has been hanging around or a disgruntled neighbor tenant holds a grudge, neither you nor the renter wants to wait until something bad happens. Not only is it potentially dangerous, but it's also a liability issue for the property owner. Have in your contact list a locksmith who will come out at any time of day so that a worry doesn't turn into a disaster.
Have you come up against any of these common rental security issues? If not, you surely will do so as your landlord business grows. Get prepared today by meeting with a quality locksmith who provides emergency services in your area.
Contact a locksmiths company like A-A Lock & Alarm Inc for more information.
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