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Do I Need to Provide a Fire Extinguisher for My Rental?

The topic of fire safety in your Newport News single-family rental house is an essential one. As an investment property owner, you want to know that your property is safe and in good condition and that you have good fire prevention measures in place as well. Most property owners understand the significance of having smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in their rental homes and maintain them every year. But what about fire extinguishers? Even if not many laws require property owners to provide them, fire extinguishers are handy to have.

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 is very significant that you take into account 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 note is installing fire extinguishers in each of your rental homes.

When used promptly and accurately, 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 a variety of fire extinguishers configured to put out different types of fires. The common fire extinguisher selected for general household use will do the job. When choosing an extinguisher for your rental properties, you should consider if it’s light enough to lift, aim, and spray easily. Because of this, general-purpose, user-friendly models are the best choice for rental properties.

Along with tenant education, installing at least one fire extinguisher in your Newport News rental could greatly protect your property. 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.

Moreover, 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. Making sure that your tenants know what to do in case of a fire is good, but so is equipping them with the necessary tools to extinguish small fires when they start. This can lead to an assurance that no lives are lost in your rental home.

Making sure your tenants have fire extinguishers comes with a lot of advantages. Providing fire extinguishers to your tenants speaks of your genuine regard for their safety that extends beyond just following the law. This establishes good rapport with your tenants, encourages them to be willing to help in property maintenance, and increases the chances of them staying longer in your rental home. These can lead to higher long-term profitability for your rental.

Fire extinguishers and smoke detectors are an essential part of any property owner’s tool kit. Although, there are multiple ways to create safe and appealing rental properties in Newport News. Would you like to learn more? Contact our team today online!

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