As a landlord, your property is both a blessing and a curse. Of course, the value this property is adding to your asset portfolio is immense. However, if anything goes wrong, even if just a bit, you might find yourself paying a large sum of money out of your pocket to resolve the issue, whether it is a lawsuit or building damages from a disaster.
Consequently, electrical security ranks highest on the safety list. Whether it be exposed wires or defective gadgets, any one of these can cause harm ranging from minor to devastating, depending on how events unfold around them. Moreover, the consequences of an accident could be even more tragic than the accident itself, such as horrific third-degree burns or even permanent paralysis.
If you are adamant about preventing such tragedy from taking place under your roof, following electricity safety recommendations will be essential. Awareness and action will yield fast results and save you from the mental anguish of an accident.
1. Know Your Rights and Responsibilities
In the US, the electrical system of any property is the responsibility of the landlord. This includes everything starting from light fixtures to electric outlets. As a matter of fact, US laws mandate that a completely functional electric system is an essential condition for habitability.
For example, a tenant’s electric outlet could suddenly stop working for no apparent reason. If that happens, it falls on the landlord to investigate, discover, and fix the cause of this failure.
All US tenants have the right to occupy safe and liveable quarters. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court in 1979 defined the landlord’s responsibility as ensuring that the property meets a basic standard of health, safety, and structural integrity. This alludes to the landlord’s warranty of habitability, which is implied in every oral or written lease contract. A property’s electrical system falls within proper safety standards.
Consequently, whether the tenant will pay rent is directly related to whether the landlord will uphold his responsibilities. If the landlord fails, the tenant can stop paying rent although Pennsylvanians can’t immediately stop payment. A specific procedure needs to be followed, which is provided by local authorities.
Nonetheless, keep in mind that the landlord is not obligated to provide a perfect living space. Only issues which make the apartment uninhabitable will be considered under the contract. For further details on landlord rights, visit here.
2. Check-up on Your Property Now and Then
There are two types of responses to a challenge: being proactive or reactive. While a swift reaction is necessary to overcome any problem, a proactive approach is always recommended. Through regular check-ups on your property to keep an eye on burgeoning issues, you will not only react more quickly but also nip the problem at the bud before it gets worse. This will save you tons of cash in the process.
Get assistance from a qualified electrician before you do so. An expert can help identify and resolve issues much faster than the average Joe. Plus, if you reside in Charlotte and are looking for a trustworthy electrician in Charlotte, NC, head over to Bates Electric’s website. The website is 100% reliable as the company lists their full credentials, and explains their service details elaborately.
3. Be Up-to-Date on Paperwork
Are you looking for investors for your property? Get the necessary certifications! This is essential if you want to persuade investors to place their faith in the property. No investor is willing to invest money in an unsafe building. To increase investor confidence, get all the necessary paperwork done. This includes a landlord’s electrical safety certificate for commercial property and a certificate of occupancy. Keep the certifications safe and, if required, place them in a conspicuous area to assure others.
4. Ensure that Your Property Has Emergency Lighting
In the event of an accident where the lighting in your apartment has failed, how will your occupants evacuate safely? With the help of emergency lights, of course. These lights work during times of distress because it is not connected to the main electric circuit.
Hence, problems with the mains circuit will not affect the illuminating capabilities of emergency lights. An electrician should do the installation of emergency lights, and the lights should undergo routine check-ups.
5. Be Acutely Aware of Seasonal Risks
As seasons change, so do our usage of different electrical appliances. In the summer, fans and air conditioners become our go-to, whereas winter is greeted with a blast of refreshing warmth from our trusty heaters. Unfortunately, heavy and inappropriate appliance use can cause overloading, or wear and tear.
Hence, every season comes with unique electrical safety issues that responsible landlords need to keep track of and pay special attention to those when seasons roll around. In this way, you can stay ahead of the curve and take action accordingly.
6. Keep an Eye out for Fire Hazards
The biggest issue with electricity is that mishandling related problems can easily lead to a dangerous fire. You need to invest in a highly sensitive and effective alarm system. Anything less would increase the level of damage from a fire and cause innumerable casualties. Get your electrician to install the alarm system and make sure to check every week if it is working correctly or not.
7. Always Have an Emergency First Aid Kit on Hand
In the worst-case scenario where someone does end up injured, an emergency first aid kit could make the difference between life and death for that person. Always keep some building personnel trained in first aid and educate people on the premises about how to prevent injuries and the necessary course of action to take if someone does end up injured. Keep safety posters plastered on the walls in a spot where it is visible.
Conclusion
Upholding building safety is a crucial part of being a property owner. Despite the painstaking process of upkeep, it is essential that you stick to scheduled reports, take expert counseling, and keep safety measures in place. Hopefully, this article has provided you with a perspective on what you need to do to maintain the overall integrity of your property.
