Dallas Property Management Blog

Rental Property Door Locks
Dallas property management security rental property door locks

When a tenancy ends, it’s important to, as the property owner, check on the security of your property and keep it up to date. This usually means that you need to inspect the locks. The windows and doors of your property are the main forms of protection against intruders, so they have to be able to be locked securely without fail. Here are some tips about door locks on your rental property, to help reduce the chance of security breaches and keep your tenants safe:

Property management comes with certain risks; for example, once you give the property keys to a tenant, they can go get duplicates made. Properties with a high tenant turnover could possibly have multiple keyholders at any given time. If you are worried about this, you could invest in locks that are more difficult to break open or pick, and simpler to rekey. You should typically opt for something that has bump key resistance and anti-drill protection (to a certain extent). You could get an anti-drill plate installed or try a hard metallic pin that can deflect standard drill bits. To prevent forced entry to your property, such as from battering rams, hinge pins, or kicks, concentrate on the hinges, doorjamb, and door, rather than the locks.

Most people who are involved in rental property management know that locks and keys can become worn over time. You may not need to fit new locks before each new tenant moves in, but you might consider doing it occasionally. Always ensure that the locks are correctly fitted and fulfill the insurance requirements. Typically, it is more convenient to get this done in between tenancies.

Of course, locks are only as effective as what they are fitted to; if your door or window frames are in bad condition, your locks will not work as intended. Frames made from wood tend to rot, so they require frequent maintenance and inspections. Rotting and splitting wood indicate that a replacement is needed because even good-quality locks fitted to rotten wood will not resist forceful blows. Composite or UPVC frames require less maintenance than timber frames, however, they still ought to be inspected to ensure they retain their shape as the seasons change.

When tenants lose their keys, the security of your property is threatened, with potential consequences to the landlord insurance. In this situation, you may want to get the locks changed and bill the tenant for the cost of labor. Keep in mind that charging too much for replacement keys would contradict laws that govern tenant fees.

Lastly, always encourage your tenants to be security conscious. Show them how to use the locks that protect your property and emphasize the importance of key safety. Make sure you tell them to report any problems with locks immediately, instead of waiting for an inspection. Explain that this will help to keep them safer, as well as the property itself.

Here at Specialized Property Management Dallas, our proven system protects your investment. With over 37 years of Dallas property management experience, we know the best ways to handle any situation. For more information, call us at 214-233-7572 or contact us online.

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