The worst thing that could happen to one’s property is a fire disaster. It can leave you with almost nothing and can potentially harm your tenants. That is why you should do everything you can to prevent a fire from destroying your property.
The first thing to do is to identify the leading causes of fire. Here are some of it:
Ovens, Stoves, and Other Appliances
These are common things found in our homes and they are fire hazards as well. A lot of fire accidents happened while people are cooking. They might have left the stove or their oven on, or their oil might have overflowed which can make flames bigger. People also tend to put flammable items near hot surfaces, which is a big no-no.
Heaters, Fireplaces, and Candles
Some of your units might have fireplaces or portable heaters in them. The weather can get pretty cold sometimes and these help tenants to stay warm. However, they are also fire hazards. At times, people might forget to put off the fire which can be the cause of a full-blown fire mishap.
Barbecue Grills
Some landlords do not allow grilling inside the property especially if it is an apartment building that can house several tenants. If you have to allow grilling, require tenants to grill only outside of their balconies or decks.
How do you prevent fire accidents?
As a landlord, there are several things you can and must do. Here are sure-fire (pardon the pun) ways to help you avoid danger to your tenants and keep your properties safe.
• Orient yourself of fire codes
You must be aware of fire codes in your area. Some states may have different regulations, so depending on where you are located, you must be knowledgeable about these things. Try to contact your local fire department for them to inspect your property for any fire hazards that you may overlook.
• Stick to your house rules
If your house rules include no smoking and/or no grilling, then strictly implement those rules. During the screening of applicants, emphasize these rules and they should appear in your leasing agreement. That way, they could not “forget” that it is not allowed.
If you catch someone breaking your rules, then you can penalize them and this will send a clear message that you take violations seriously.
• Fire extinguishers are a must
Include fire extinguishers in your list of things to buy and make sure to install them inside the kitchen area as that is where most fire accidents happen. They should be accessible and not locked up somewhere it is difficult to get.
If you already have them installed, make sure you replace them before they expire.
• Make sure you have fire detectors and alarms installed
Install fire alarms and smoke detectors. Invest in purchasing the best that you can afford. Don’t think of it as a financial burden but rather an investment that could help protect you from an even bigger financial loss.
Include these features when you create a property listing at Padleads.com. This will surely impress those house hunters that could stumble upon your listing in popular rental websites.
• No smoking
Remember your house rules. Reinforce this strictly to your tenants. of course, you also have to explain why you have this certain rule. People tend to follow rules if they know you have perfectly good reasons for imposing them.
• Put up fire escape plans
In apartment buildings, there may be several entry and exit points and it may be confusing for your tenants where to go in an event of a fire especially once the panic sets in.
Make a diagram of a fire escape plan, place a copy in every unit, and make sure that your tenants familiarize themselves with it so that they will not get trapped in a burning building.
• Grilling areas
If you have a no-grilling policy but also do not want to deprive your tenants of the joy of grilling barbecue, set-up a grilling area instead. You can put it outside, located just far enough from the building to avoid fire accidents. It’s a win-win situation for you and your residents.