Prevention is critical if you want to protect your Reno investment properties from vandalism. However, the reality is that despite best efforts, there is still 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.
It can be traumatizing when vandalism happens; you’ll feel a whole range of emotions of violation and frustration as you begin talking to the police and dealing with your insurance company, while still trying to mend the damages and provide reassurance to your renter who is just as upset as you are. Knowing what things can be done when vandals strike can ease up your doubts and help get you back on your feet and start the recovery process way better.
When vandalism happens, it’s easy to feel depressed as waves of violation and frustration flood your head. It doesn’t help that you have to face the police and deal with your insurance company, while you think of fixing the property and appease your equally upset renter. But if you are aware of what you can do when vandals strike, you can be calmer and address the situation more relaxed therefore making the recovery process just a bit easier.
As soon as the vandalism takes place, 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 inform you and assume you will be the one to make the report. Either way, as the Reno property owner you should communicate with the investigating police officers and make sure that all property damage is documented in an official report.
Make sure you keep detailed documentation of the vandalism, as it would be beneficial for you and your insurance company as well. Taking detailed pictures of the entire thing is an excellent way to do this, and if you can’t go to the property yourself straightaway, you might have your tenant or your property management company handle the documentation.
Unless the vandalism is caused by your renters or one of their guests, you will be responsible for making the necessary repairs. Working closely with your insurance company is an important step in the process; they need to get involved as soon as the damage occurs. Even before vandalism occurs, it is a good idea to make sure that your landlord insurance policy covers this type of damage. If not, you may have to pay for the repairs yourself.
Finally, vandalism can frighten a tenant, leaving behind not only the physical damage but also feelings of fear or anxiety. Their sense of security has been violated, and they may need both encouragement from you that things will be taken care of as well as a visible sign that you or your property management company are working hard to restore both the rental property and their ability to live safely in it.
At Real Property Management Corazon, one of our top priorities is making sure both your tenant and your rental property safe from vandalism and other preventable damage. But if vandals do make a mess, we will handle the entire 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 775-826-1414 for details.
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