As a landlord, one of your biggest challenges is getting, and keeping, your properties rented. One of your other obstacles can be ensuring that any empty units that you have are safe from being vandalized 
and / or burglarized – especially when they are not occupied.
Empty homes can be a very tempting target for potential thieves, as there can still be some valuable items for them to obtain, such as copper wiring, appliances, and plumbing fixtures. Plus, in addition to stealing items of interest, intruders can also cause a great deal of damage.
With that in mind, it is important to take some steps that can ensure your empty house or unit is safe – and today, just simply keeping the doors and windows locked may not be enough. One of the best steps that you can take is to make the property appear that it is currently being lived in. This can entail making sure that the grass is cut and the bushes are nicely trimmed. You may also consider putting lights with timers that are set to come on at certain times throughout the day and night.
In addition, it can be helpful to notify the local post office and to stop any deliveries from coming to the home. Oftentimes, newspapers and “junk mail” that pile up over time can be a definite red flag that a property is unoccupied.
In some cases, you may be posing additional threats to the property by posting items online. For example, stating on social media sites that you have an available property could be an open invitation for thieves to move forward. Therefore, be mindful of what – or even if – you post, so that nobody is tipped off to a vulnerable home.
Rather than taking care of finding tenants yourself, as well as dealing with an empty property, you could turn over the details to a property management service. Doing so can provide you with much more time to pursue other items, while at the same time, someone is working to keep your incoming cash flow, and your investments, intact. For more information about how to partner with a property manager in Orlando and the surrounding area, Contact Us.