There are multiple steps you can take to safeguard your Massapequa investment properties from vandalism. But even the best preventions are no guarantee. With roughly 15% of homes targeted by vandals each year, it is likely that one or more of your rental homes may eventually be hit.
When vandalism takes effect, it’s easy to feel a sense of violation and frustration as you work with law enforcement, your insurance company, work on repairs all while you are trying to provide reassurance to an equally upset tenant. Understanding what to do when vandals strike can help restore your sense of confidence and make navigating the recovery process even easier.
Right after the vandalism has been discovered, it is important to contact the local authorities and file a police report. Your tenants may take it upon themselves to make the call or may advise you and wait for you to make the declaration. However, as the Massapequa property owner, you should communicate with the investigating police officers and make sure that all property damage is documented in an official report. Also, you’ll want to keep documentation for yourself as well as your insurance company. Taking pictures of the damage is a good way to this. If you are not able to get to the property, you can have your tenant or your property management company handle the documentation.
As a property owner, you will be responsible to make the necessary repairs to the damage unless your tenant or one of their guests are the ones who are responsible. Working closely with your insurance company is going to be an important step in the process and they should be involved as soon as the vandalism happens. Even before vandalism happens, it is a good idea to make sure that your landlord insurance policy covers this type of damages. If not, you may have to pay for the repairs yourself.
Lastly, vandalism can be a frightening time for a tenant. It can leave behind not only physical damage to the property, but it can also have a lasting feeling of fear and anxiety. Their sense of security has been violated. They are going to need reassurance that you will take care of things as well as visible proof that you or the property management company are working hard to restore both the rental property and their ability to live safely inside.
At Real Property Management Landmark, one of our main priorities is putting having your tenant and your rental property safe from vandalism and other unnecessary damages. But if vandals do create mayhem, we will handle the whole documentation and recovery process for you and make sure that your property is restored as soon as possible. Would you like to learn more? Please contact us online or call us at 516-522-2859 for specifics.
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