How to Know if Your Rental Meets Safety Standards
Renting a property is typical for millions of people, but not every tenant thinks about the safety standards of their potential home before they sign the lease. Ensuring the safety of your rental is imperative, not only for your peace of mind but also for your well-being. For landlords and property managers, it’s not only a legal obligation but an ethical one to provide a safe living environment.
This article highlights essential safety standards that every rental property must meet. New property owners must familiarize themselves with these safety checklists to ensure well-being and compliance.
Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarms
Smoke Alarms
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to ensure safety in a rental is the presence of working smoke alarms. They are the first line of defense in the event of a fire and can provide those precious seconds needed to escape from harm.
Every rental should install a smoke alarm on each floor, particularly near bedrooms. Test these alarms once a month and ensure they have working batteries or are hardwired into the electrical system. If you have a battery-powered smoke detector, replace the batteries at least once a year.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide (CO) is an odorless, colorless, and poisonous gas that can be fatal. It’s essential to have CO detectors installed in any property that has a fuel-burning appliance, such as a furnace, boiler, or water heater.
Try to test these devices regularly, and like smoke alarms, their batteries should be replaced yearly or hardwired into the property’s electrical system.
Paint Safety
Older properties often have lead-based paint remnants under new layers of paint, despite its ban in housing since 1978. Exposure to lead can lead to serious health issues, especially in children and pregnant women, including brain damage and developmental problems.
Landlords must disclose any known presence of lead paint in a property and provide tenants with the ‘Protect Your Family from Lead in Your Home’ pamphlet. Beyond this, it is wise for landlords to take proactive steps and have old paint professionally evaluated and, if necessary, removed by certified lead abatement contractors.
Making sure to give your tenants the proper warnings will not only keep you legally compliant, but help you to gain their trust as their landlord.
Electrical System Safety
Faulty wiring and overloaded circuits are the leading causes of electrical fires. Therefore, inspecting the electrical system of a rental is non-negotiable. Ensure there are no exposed wires, loose outlets, or signs of electrical fires, like burn marks around sockets and switches. Circuit breakers or fuses should be the right size to prevent overheating.
Signs of potential problems include frequent blown fuses, tripping circuit breakers, flickering lights, or a burning smell from appliances. Have a qualified electrician inspect the property’s electrical system regularly.
Plumbing and Water Check-Up
A property’s plumbing system should properly deliver potable water and remove waste without leaks, which could lead to mold growth or structural damage. Toilets, faucets, pipes, showers, and other water fixtures must be checked for leaks and proper operation. Also, water heaters should be set to a safe temperature to avoid scalding, generally between 120 and 125 degrees Fahrenheit.
Keeping the Structure Sound
A safe rental property is structurally sound, ensuring the safety and comfort of its occupants. This means that the foundation of the building is to remain firm, effectively supporting the entire structure.
The roofing must be robust and capable of keeping out rain, snow, and other elements to protect the interior. Floors and walls should be intact, without significant damage, ensuring a stable and secure environment. Doors and windows play a critical role in security, and they must be able to lock and secure the premises against unauthorized entry.
To maintain this level of safety and integrity, it’s crucial to routinely check the property for any signs of damage or wear. This proactive approach involves a continual inspection process, looking out for leaks that could suggest roofing issues, cracks that may indicate foundational or structural problems or any damage that might have occurred following severe weather events such as storms or heavy snowfall.
Addressing these issues promptly is essential. Quick action prevents minor problems from becoming major ones and ensures the rental remains a safe, inviting place for current and future tenants.
Dealing with Pests
Pest infestations damage the property and pose health risks to the tenants. A landlord must ensure their property is free from pests like rodents, cockroaches, termites, and bedbugs. Professional pest control services can help maintain a pest-free environment.
Appliance Maintenance
If the rental comes with appliances, the landlord must ensure they’re in good working order. Appliances should be clean, correctly installed, and function as expected. Conduct routine maintenance and inspections to identify wear and tear or faulty equipment before they become significant issues.
Bottom Line
Ongoing inspections and maintenance are crucial to ensuring a safe environment for tenants. Landlords and property owners should stay abreast of the latest safety guidelines and requirements, while tenants should not hesitate to raise safety concerns.
Remember, safety in a rental property is a shared responsibility. By working together, landlords and tenants can create and maintain living spaces that are comfortable but also secure and safe for everyone involved.
Connect with Superior West Property Management today to ensure your rental property meets and exceeds safety standards. Our experienced team can provide expert guidance and support to help you create a safe and secure living environment for your tenants.
