 With how expensive everyday expenses are getting, many people are looking for ways to bring in a little extra cash. Groceries have gone up. Gas has gone up. And kids are wanting to be involved with more and more after-school activities. Because of this, many people are converting their garages, backhouses and basements into income properties. Most of us have probably heard of the website and app Airbnb, but there are several other websites out there that allow property owners to rent out their extra bedrooms or entire homes to people almost anywhere in the world. It truly is an innovative way to rake in some extra dough without having to buckle down and work a second job. However, people coming in and out of these individual’s rentals can prove to cause a variety of predicaments. Why Homeowners Should Protect Their Income Properties While most income properties may not contain all of your personal belongings and your family may not reside in the residence, there are still several benefits to installing a home alarm in your income property. Having a rental, such as an Airbnb, has many benefits. However, protecting the property from renters, who you know nothing about and who are coming and going week after week, is vital if you want to make having an income property worthwhile. Benefits of Having Surveillance Cameras
Benefits of Having Home Alarms
If you own an Airbnb or any other type of income property, protecting your investment can be one of the smartest things you choose to do for your rental. It will protect your space, your tenants and your family from any issues that may arise in the future. Alarms and cameras have continually proven to be helpful in preventing crimes and also aid in police investigations after a crime has been committed. This is especially important if your income property is an Airbnb due to the number of guests who are staying at your property every year. Is It Legal to Have Cameras Inside an Income Property? We know that this option is not for everyone, but we wanted our readers to know their options. While installing wireless cameras may make guests at your income property feel uncomfortable, it is legal in some states. However, laws vary and there are very specific guidelines that must be followed in order to avoid violations. Below is a brief list of guidelines for property owners: Camera Location The location where indoor cameras are placed is essential to avoiding violations. Property owners are free to install cameras in any public outdoor areas, but there are very specific guidelines for indoor cameras. If legal in your state, indoor cameras cannot be placed in private areas. Installing indoor cameras can be risky for property owners and may end up causing more legal issues than intended. Tenant Notification One major factor to remember when installing CCTV cameras, is that all cameras must be visible. Your tenants must also be notified that the cameras are actively in use. We advise adding this piece of information to your renter’s agreement so there are no potential disputes over tenant notification in the future. Audio Recording It is illegal to record anyone without consent. Laws vary from state to state; however, we suggest installing a camera without an audio recording feature just to be safe. We also recommend looking up state laws before installing an audio recording camera in order to protect yourself against any legal issues. The main benefits of having indoor security cameras installed would be to ensure that guests do not break house rules, do not steal from you, and to provide proof in the unfortunate case of a legal dispute with renters. However, there are risks if you are considering installing indoor cameras and the decision should be carefully considered and preferably discussed with a lawyer. Other Ways to Increase Security at an Income Property In addition to installing cameras and/or home alarms, there are a few things you can do to safeguard your income property from burglars and property damage from existing and future tenants:
Which Systems Should Property Owners Install?There is no quick and simple answer to this question. While most local security companies have a one-size-fits-all package for residential properties, here at Am-Tec we will personally walk your property with you and give you our professional suggestions. Our knowledgeable employees can go over a variety of options with you and customize your security system based on your budget and security needs. Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions Most people don’t know about the various options on the market and what each system is capable of. We welcome all questions and concerns. Our employees will gladly go over the different options and explain the pros and cons of any system you are interested in. We aim to provide transparent service and pride ourselves in genuinely caring about our customers’ satisfaction. What’s Next? There are several options out on the market. You are welcome to browse the web and see what’s out there or you could just give us a call—we can make the process significantly less time consuming and confusing. We also have a few blogs under our “Resources” tab on our website that go over DIY alarms systems and a few other topics that you may find useful.
Whether you know exactly what you are looking for or are not really sure what to do from here, give our office a call at 800-609-2527. Comments are closed.
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