Vandalism is one of the most prevalent crimes to happen to property owners in Acton and the nearby areas; criminals would tag, deface, or destroy residential properties. 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 the rental home and to the potential detriment of property values. But the cut goes deeper than that, it also undermines a tenant’s sense of security and community spirit. Because of these things, preventing vandalism should be a high priority for both landlords and property owners.
One good way to preemptively counter vandalism is to install and maintain the right amount of exterior lighting. Vandals usually do their dirty work in dark areas; they would rather not be seen. Motion sensor lights are an energy-efficient alternative that does not compromise on effectivity; tenants will surely appreciate that.
If your rental property has fences, another way to discourage vandalism would be to equip your fences with a secure gate that locks. Vandals usually go after easy targets, so if they can’t get to their target without having to climb a fence or break through a locked gate, they’d most likely just give up on the idea. This goes a long way to making sure they stay out of your property.
As a natural deterrent, try planting bushes or shrubs– the ones with rough bark, thorns, or pointy leaves– around the property. The new greenery will also make your property look more beautiful as well as serving as a painful deterrent to any unwanted visitors having a go at getting too near to the home.
It may seem unusual, but selecting the correct type of window coverings can prevent the vandals from coming, too. Vandalism is a crime of opportunity; they usually choose to strike if they believe no one is in the house. If you make sure to cover the windows with blinds or drapes, they wouldn’t know for sure if the house is empty, especially if you keep a light or two left on all the time. It just might show them that it isn’t worth the risk or effort and they’d be better off going for another, easier target.
Ultimately, if vandals do strike, it’s crucial to fix the damage to your property quickly. These sorts of ne’er-do-wells enjoy having their handiwork seen and fussed over. If the destruction isn’t set right, they may be motivated to come back and create an even bigger, “better” mess. By painting over graffiti, repairing broken glass, and dealing with other destruction, you can staunchly dissuade any vandals from coming back.
By adhering to these simple tips, you can keep your Acton rental homes from becoming an obvious target for vandals. At Real Property Management Traditions, we offer full-service property management including monitoring your properties on a regular basis. And if anything should go wrong, we can also arrange for repairs and maintenance. If you would like to know more about how to keep your home safe, feel free to contact us online or call us at 661-266-1400 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.
