With summer approaching, many people are looking for great vacation spots. It's important to protect your vacation rental property during this time. While vacation rentals can be a great investment, there are also concerns that go into maintaining and protecting this kind of property. Remember, people who you don't know and probably have never met will live in your property. You need to protect your assets. It can be even more challenging if you don't live in the same area as your vacation rental. Discover different ways to protect your vacation rentals and keep them secure.

Rental Agreement

Use a rental agreement with all those who rent your property and screen your guests. It's imperative to have a well-written rental agreement between you and your guests. This will help solidify details such as the rental period, occupancy limits and other restrictions. This can protect both of you and also solve any misunderstandings that may occur.

Screen Guests

You should also screen your guests to make sure they are a good fit for your property. You should talk to them on the phone to help get a good understanding of who they are as well.

Security

Maintain secure doors and windows. Just like your own home, it's important that you have quality locks on your doors and windows. The property will be empty at times and you don't want to leave it so it’s easy for others to break into your vacation rental. Having secure doors and windows will also make your renters safer when they are on the property.

Check Windows and Doors

Check your windows and doors regularly to make sure they are in good working order and don't have any loose joints. Not only will this make the property more attractive, it will keep your property as well as your renters safe and secure. This will also help encourage them to come back.

Lived-In Look

Give your rental property a lived-in look. It's important that your home appears to have tenants at all times. If it looks unoccupied, it will become a target for burglars.

Maintenance Matters

There are a variety of ways to do this, all of which are relatively inexpensive. You don't need to hire a property manager to check on your property at regular intervals. Instead, you can hire a yard and garden maintenance team to keep these things maintained. If you live nearby, this is something you can take care of yourself. These are things that will have to be taken care of, and if you make sure they are completed as if someone is living there it will make your property more secure.

Know Your Neighbors

It's also beneficial to know your neighbors. Make friends with those who live near your vacation rental property. They can also help you keep an eye on things or help out with maintenance in your absence. Be careful not to post anything specific online about your own home or your rental home. Burglars will also use social media to target victims. You don't want to broadcast when houses are empty.

Keys

Don't send keys through the mail. Sending keys through the mail is an outdated manner of getting keys to your renters. This is not a practice you should discontinue.

Limit Access

This allows renters access to the keys before they are scheduled to be on the property. This gives them extra time with the keys, which can lead to additional security issues. They may copy the keys and give them to each person that will be staying in the property. This presents a problem because then you have more keys out there than you know about.

Electronic Locks

Install access/electronic lock systems that change as renters change. Instead of sending keys through the mail to give renters access, look into different lock systems to use instead.

Change the Codes

You could use a lockbox or a keyless entry system. With either of these, you can change the code for each new guest. This will help maintain the security of your rental property and prevent past guests from gaining access later on.

Video Surveillance

It's important to have a reliable home security system installed at your vacation rental. It should also have remote video surveillance functions.

Keep An Eye on Your Property

This will let you keep an eye on your property no matter where you are. You will be able to monitor for any suspicious activity and reach out to the local authorities. This system will also help your renters to feel even more secure.

Work with a locksmith to maintain constant security. It's important to have a reliable and trustworthy Seattle-area locksmith to help maintain the security of your property. This person can help you decide what products to choose for your rental home.

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