So you just moved into a new neighborhood with a new property manager and all of a sudden your bicycle is stolen! What do you do?
Well, that can be a tough answer depending on your situation. Let’s start off by answering how your property manager will typically handle the situation.
Many property managers will NOT be responsible for your belongings inside or outside of your home. If something is stolen, then you need to immediately report it to your local authorities and call your renters insurance agency to start the claim process. The homeowner’s insurance is not going to cover any theft or damage of your own items.
And just to verify – yes, some renters insurance policies will cover theft outside of your home, just make sure you understand what is covered and any deductibles that might be required.
One way we try to combat any potential problems by requiring you to view the home in person before you apply and move in. It’s up to you to determine the safety of the home before you apply. Once you apply and move in, then the terms of the lease apply to you so make sure you do your homework.
You should check out any crime reports for the area so you can understand when, where, and how a crime was committed. Much of this information is available to the public with a quick Google search for “Atlanta crime reports” or you can search the city that you are looking to live in.
Another resource you should check out is the state’s sex offender registry. There are also many apps that now allow you to search for problems in a particular area. The Nextdoor app will let you see what other neighbors are talking about in that area so you know what you’re getting into. This app is also great after you move in so you can stay on top of any neighborhood gossip, events, or criminal activity.
After you view your potential new home we want to know what you think. Did you like it? Did you hate it? Was something wrong in the neighborhood? Well, let us know so we can try to make appropriate changes to the property.
As your landlord, we also want to make sure your deadbolts are working on all the exterior doors. Typically this is done before you move in, however, if you feel that a deadbolt is not functioning properly, then you should submit a maintenance request in your resident portal so we can take a look at it. The same goes for any doors or windows that don’t seem to be shutting properly because an unsecured entry point is one of the fastest ways to put a target on your back.
We always recommend reading your lease thoroughly before fully committing to the property because sometimes that will clearly state how your personal belongings are handled. Just remember that renters insurance, although not always required, can save you tons of money in the event of theft, fire, or other disasters that could occur in your home.
In conclusion, you should always be prepared for life’s worst problems and when they happen, you should have a plan. Be in constant communication with us if you have issues with your home. We want you to live a happy and safe life when you rent from us!
Source: Lanlordology