Safe Properties Rent Faster
With the long winter months where I live it gets dark pretty early around here. Dark enough that people can get nervous if they cannot see all the corners as they walk up to their homes.
As the landlord you probably aren’t even thinking about the large shrub being a perfect hiding place for criminal, or the dark parking spots as a security issue, but many tenants sure do!
Landscaping for Safety
We may not think about this in the summer months, but this can be the perfect time to make sure the overgrown bush is trimmed back and the tall hedges are shortened to provide a better lit environment for tenants.
Studies have shown that security and safety are very high up on tenants short list when it comes to not only finding a rental property, but also for staying there long term. By cutting back shrubbery from pathways and making properties more inviting you not only help keep tenants happy, but they stay longer, sounds win win to me!
Lighting The Way
One of our rental properties had off street parking, which was great. The problem was the lower suite was rented to a great young lady who started to get nervous coming home from work in the fall as it started getting dark earlier and earlier.
She was quite concerned about this. Concerned enough to address it with us and mention she was considering moving.
The solution? We installed motion sensor lighting high up on the back of the property and accomplished a couple items.
First, the property became much safer and second, the tenant was extremely grateful. This resulted in her staying with us even longer than she had anticipated. In hindsight, we should have done this when we bought the property, but as they say hindsight is 20/20.
Fortunately for you, it’s now more apparent! Hope this was helpful for you.