Vandalism of residential property is one of the most common crimes to befall property owners in Monroeville and the neighboring areas. In fact, roughly 15% of American homes are targeted by vandals each year. Vandalism such as graffiti and smashed mailboxes can cause expensive damage to a rental home, but it also violates a tenant’s sense of security and community spirit, not to mention the potential detriment of property values. For these reasons, preventing vandalism should be the top priority for landlords and property owners alike.
One of the best ways to prevent vandalism is to install and maintain exterior lighting. Vandals tend to want to work in dark spaces because they can complete their work without being seen. Motion sensor lights are surprisingly effective and can be an energy-efficient opportunity that tenants will welcome.
If your rental property has fences, a good way to deter vandalism is to make sure that your fences have a secure gate that locks. Vandals are frequently looking for easy targets, so if they are forced to climb a fence or break through a locked gate to get to the home they are more likely to stay away from your yard altogether.
If looking for a natural deterrent, planting bushed or scrub with rough bark, thorns, or pointy leaves around the property. The added plants will improve the overall look of the property while simultaneously presenting a painful challenge to any unwanted visitors who are making an attempt to get closer to the home.
It may seem odd, but high-quality window coverings can help to keep the vandals away. Vandalism tends to be a crime of opportunity; they will generally only strike if they think nobody is home. Keeping the windows covered with blinds or drapes will help to raise doubt about whether or not someone is home. Notably, if a light or two are left on at all times. It might convince them to look for another, easier target.
Lastly, if vandals do strike, it’s imperative to clean up the mess immediately. These sorts of ne’er-do-wells enjoy having their handiwork seen and fussed over. If their damage is neglected and left unrepaired, they might become encouraged to return and make an even bigger, “better” mess. By painting over graffiti, repairing broken glass, and addressing any further damage right away, you are discouraging any vandals from returning.
By following these simple guidelines, you can keep your Monroeville rental homes from becoming an easy target. At Real Property Management Three Rivers, we offer full-service property management including monitoring your properties on a regular basis and arranging for repairs and maintenance should anything go wrong. If you would like more information on how to protect your home, please contact us online or by 724-804-8254 today.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
