The Fair Housing Act protects tenants from discrimination based on their familial status, therefore, landlords cannot turn away renters with kids. That means you might have to accommodate families with young children that need to be kept safe while on your property. Bay Property Management Group Baltimore can help landlords recognize potential liabilities within their rental and address them.
If you have a tenant with a toddler, they’ve most likely approached you about the possibility of babyproofing their apartment. Since that involves alterations to your property, you should be in the loop. After all, tenants can sue the property owner for injuries sustained on the premises in some scenarios. This article explores the top landlord tips for childproofing a rental and reducing liability.
Childproofing Methods and Safety Tips for Landlords
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Install Cabinet Locks
One of our first child safety tips is to install cabinet locks. It’s easy for your smallest tenants to open drawers they shouldn’t, especially when they’re up and running. Thus, cabinet locks, especially those within reach, can keep them away from sharp, hazardous, or essential items.
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Cross-Check Alarms and Detectors
Whether or not your tenants have children, you should cross-check your alarms and detectors. However, you might want to do it more often with the kids in the house. Although parents try their hardest to keep everything in order, accidents happen, and a child could start a fire. In that scenario, all systems must be in place to put it out or alert residents so they can evacuate.
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Install Garage Door Sensors
There are several incidents of kids getting injured by automatic garage doors when no one is looking. To avoid such a scenario, it might be worthwhile investing in sensors. These detectors can easily read when there’s an obstruction and avoid colliding with it or the child, as the case may be.
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Get Outlet Covers
Another excellent safety tip is to get outlet covers for your sockets. Electric shocks are a terrible experience, not to mention a fire hazard. Thus, it would be in everyone’s best interest if children had as little contact with exposed sockets.
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Set up Gates around Pools
If your house has a pool, the last thing you want is a child wandering to the back without supervision. Hence, if you don’t already have one, you should consider setting up fences around your pool. Generally, a height of 4 feet and above should do. It would also help get self-closing gates to eliminate an adult’s risk of leaving it open by accident. You could also invest in matte tiles around your pool to reduce the risk of slipping.
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Check the Railings
Shaky or loose railings on your balconies, stairs, or porches can be a dangerous hazard for children. Since toddlers are still learning to walk, they’re more likely to grab or pull on these supports. If these fittings aren’t sturdy enough, they can give way, resulting in an accident. Hence, it would help if you promptly fixed any gaps in your railings.
Benefits of Allowing Tenants to Install Child Safety Devices
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They’ll Feel More At Home
Their children’s safety and well-being are their utmost concern for many parents. Thus, you can make your property more appealing when you allow them to check dangerous hazards and keep their babies out of harm’s way. Having a safe home gives them one less thing to worry about while they contemplate saving for daycare and how much sugar is acceptable.
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They’ll Stay Longer
Since many landlords are strict about alterations to their units, tenants that find a kid-friendly property are less inclined to move. As a result of making them feel more at home, you’ll have to deal with fewer vacancies and can count on their rental income. Moreso, if your property is big enough to accommodate a growing family, that gives them more reason to stay.
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It’s the Law
In some instances, letting your tenants childproof their unit keeps you on the side of the law. Regarding real estate laws, landlords usually decide what modifications are or aren’t allowed. However, there are exceptions to this law. Most states make provisions for parents of children with special needs to install the appropriate safety mechanisms. Thus, in some cases, you might not have a choice. If your renters have an autistic child, they can legally install child door locks without your permission or violating their lease.
Conclusion
Generally, it’s best to approach childproofing your rental with the toddler’s safety. With that at the forefront, you can discuss the most effective and least damaging childproofing methods with the parents. Many fixes like cabinet locks and outlet plugs are removable and do not cause permanent damage to the property. Consequently, you can make your tenants feel more at home, encourage them to stay longer, and avoid legal liability.
While this article details helpful childproofing methods, you should still perform some research yourself. If you require more expert tips, you can consult with a professional property management company.
