Staying Secure During the Pandemic

Chelsea Driscoll • May 27, 2020

coronavirus covid covid19 quarantine property management real estate tenant landlord lease rent payment investment inspection security safety

Security was once a straightforward service offered to tenants. A landlord in San Diego would put up fences, arrange for security, and ensure that the grounds were protected from break-in artists. The whole idea of being secure has changed, thanks to the coronavirus epidemic. Security means more than guarding property. Preventing contagion is now added to the definition.

Keeping Everyone Safe

Landlords in San Diego should have protocols to ensure that no one accidentally becomes infected with the virus. These are not major renovations to the property, but common-sense activities.

• Hand Sanitizers: These can be made available to all the tenants in the apartment complex.

• Disinfecting Surfaces: It might not be possible to go door-to-door and clean the door handles. However, laundry rooms and gate entrances can get a quick spritz of disinfectant or swipe of a sanitizing cloth. Staff should be asked to do routine cleaning of areas commonly used by tenants.

• Reduce Social Contact: As much as practical, business needs to be conducted with tenants by telephone, email, or texting. Electronic transfers of rent should be offered.

• Change Passwords. There are still criminals out there who are trying to hack into information. Landlords should encourage tenants to change their passwords on any account connected to the rented apartment or house.

Communication is Essential!

People are staying inside because of the quarantines but a property owner must not close the door to tenants. Communication is vital because rumors fly around all over the place. The ability to communicate information to tenants is necessary.

Send mass texts to residents is helpful and the same is true with emails. Text messages, by the way, are the ones most often read - email sometimes gets lost in the spam file. Information about the quarantine, ways to stay safe, and other useful information is appreciated by tenants.

The media shows reports about scams being conducted by opportunistic felons. Anyone in a quarantine situation is a prime victim. Property owners in San Diego should advise tenants to report any suspicious phone calls or activities. Landlords can then respond immediately to everyone, stopping a scam before it gets out of control.

Bring in the Professionals

Landlords with significant real estate portfolios might not have the time needed to communicate effectively with tenants. It helps to have a third-party do the work. Property management companies in San Diego have established procedures on how to deal with emergencies such as the quarantine. They have ideas that many property owners are not aware of and these suggestions can enhance safety efforts. Alta Vista Properties is a major property management company in San Diego. We can deal with a crisis better than others.

We Build Relationships

Alta Vista Properties works to develop an honest rapport with tenants. We are transparent in our communications, and we respond to inquiries and problems as soon as possible. We are deeply concerned about the coronavirus pandemic, and we are actively working to keep our tenants safe. We have established protocols to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic.

This is all in addition to our normal efforts to keep the property safe and secure. We have a good working relationship with the police, and we do business with reputable contractors. We will not permit problems to go unnoticed or ignored. Any client can expect superior service from us and a commitment to keep property and tenants safe in these uncertain times.

Please do inquire at any time about our property management services. We can be reached at 858-274-3600 or by email at info@altavistaproperties.net. We look forward to hearing from you and answering your questions.

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