Three words that send shivers down the spine of most landlords are thieves, vandals and squatters. These are also the three best reasons to ensure your policies surrounding keys, locks and security are tight and clear. Tenants are often lax about locking up so you need to be very clear and occasionally harsh if mistakes are made. Here’s a quick run-down of a few things to think about.
Each Lock, Each Door, Each Tenant
You need to provide a key for every lock on every external door to every tenant and this is particularly important in an HMO. This way each tenant has a responsibility to lock up properly and there will be no scenarios in which doors are being left ‘on the latch’ for other tenants or, worse, keys left under mats or flowerpots. Be clear that if you find your doors unlocked or stray keys there will be penalties.
Lock-Outs and Changing the Locks
We all misplace our keys from time to time, but we often forget that changing the locks is a real serious issue. It’s perfectly acceptable to recover this cost from your tenants and that includes the new keys you’ll need to have cut for yourself. Remember also to always keep a master key for every lock, including windows interior doors.
End of Tenancy Cover
When your tenants depart you need them to leave all the keys they took and make sure they’re locked inside the property. As soon as possible, you need to pick them up because squatters and thieves could see them as a potential way in. You’ll need to make sure you have the appropriate Unoccupied Property Insurance to cover you in the event of any lock problems after your tenants depart.
Keeping security under lock and key is important for all landlords, but especially for those in cities. Don’t take any chances with keys and however militant your locking-up regime might appear, make sure it’s stuck to at all times. Your tenants need to know how important your property and their security is to you, so make sure your position is absolutely clear.
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