The concern of fire safety in your Washington DC single-family rental house is a notable one. As an investment property owner, you want to know that your property is not only safe and in good condition but that you have good fire prevention measures in place as well. Many property owners see the value of having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their rental homes and make sure to maintain them every year. But what about fire extinguishers? Despite not being mandated by many laws, property owners must see the wisdom in having fire extinguishers.
As a property owner, you already know that submitting yourself to all state and local regulations is a significant part of making your rental home safe and profitable. And yet, the most successful property owners don’t just follow the letter of the law. It’s wise that you think carefully about what is best for you, your tenants, and your investment. If it will make your property safer and easier to rent to quality tenants, that’s something that you should probably do. A key point to take note of is the installation of fire extinguishers in each of your rental homes.
When used immediately and precisely, fire extinguishers are proven to help prevent property damage and personal injury. Usually, household fires are easily containable if the right tools are easily accessible. There are various fire extinguishers created to put out different types of fires. A typical fire extinguisher designated for general household use will most likely fulfill your needs. When picking out an extinguisher for your rental properties, it is significant to go with one that’s light enough to lift, aim, and spray easily. Hence, general-purpose, user-friendly models are the best choice for rental properties.
Paired with tenant education, furnishing your Washington DC rental with at least one fire extinguisher could spare you potential unnecessary costs. The National Fire Protection Association reports that there are more than 355,000 residential fires in the U.S. every year, causing $6.9 billion in property damage. Even if you assume that your insurance will help you repair or replace your rental home in the event of a fire, that usually doesn’t include the lost rental income or the higher insurance premiums you are likely to pay after making a claim.
In addition, fire extinguishers can save lives. Household fires cause an average of 2,600 deaths every year, as well as over 11,000 injuries. Your tenants’ safety, while they are in the rental home, is your duty as a property owner. When your tenants are taught what to do in case of a fire, and when you provide them with the proper tools to extinguish small fires, you can make sure no lives are lost in your rental home.
Furnishing your tenants with fire extinguishers in your rental homes leads to other positive effects. Providing fire extinguishers to your tenants speaks of your genuine regard for their safety that extends beyond just following the law. This promotes good rapport with your tenants, inspires collaborative property maintenance, and encourages tenants to want to stay longer in your rental house. These can lead to higher long-term profitability for your rental.
On top of smoke detectors, fire extinguishers are an essential part of any property owner’s tool kit. Although, there are multiple ways to create safe and appealing rental properties in Washington DC. Would you like to learn more? Contact our team today online!
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