How to Avoid Vandalism and Protect Your Rental Property in Coopersburg

Vandalism of residential property is one of the most common crimes to befall property owners in Coopersburg and the surrounding neighborhoods. In fact, roughly 15% of American homes are targeted by vandals each year. Vandalism such as graffiti and smashed mailboxes can cause expensive damage to a rental home, but it can also violate a tenant’s sense of security and community spirit, plus the potential detriment of property values. For these reasons, preventing vandalism should be a top urgency for landlords and property owners alike.

One of the best ways to stop vandalism is to install and maintain exterior lighting. Vandals tend to be drawn to dark spaces, this is where they prefer doing their dirty work. Motion sensor lights are notably helpful and can be an energy-efficient selection that tenants will enjoy.

If your rental property has fences, a great practice to discourage vandalism is to make sure that your fences are equipped with a secure gate that locks. Vandals are typically looking for the easiest target, so having to climb over a fence or break through a locked gate is going to take time and will help in keeping them off the yard.

As a natural deterrent, you should consider planting bushes or shrubs with rough bark, thorns, or pointy leaves in the vicinity of the property. The extra greenery will improve the overall look of the property while at the same time offering a painful challenge to any unwanted guests who are making an attempt to get to the home.

It may seem odd, but good quality window coverings can keep the vandals aways as well. Vandalism tends to be a crime of opportunity; they usually only strike when they believe no one to be home. Keeping the windows covered with blinds or drapes will promote doubts about whether or not someone is home, especially if a light or two is left on at all times. It just might convince them to look for another, quicker aim.

If vandals do strike it’s pivotal to clear up the mess as soon as possible. These sorts of ne’er-do-wells enjoy having their handiwork seen and fussed over. If their damage is left unrepaired, they might be encouraged to return and make an even bigger “better” mess. By painting over graffiti, repairing broken glass, and addressing any other damages right away, you are discouraging any vandals from returning.

By keeping up with this simple guideline, you can preserve your Coopersburg rental homes from developing into an easy target for vandals and vandalism. At Real Property Management Lehigh Valley, we offer full-service property management including monitoring your properties on a regular basis and arranging for repairs and maintenance should anything go wrong. If you would like more information on how to protect your home, please contact us online or by 484-544-3351 today.