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Renter's Checklist |
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Talk with your landlord/property
manager about things that can improve the safety of your unit or
house. Together, you can make your unit/house safer for you
and (in the long run) more valuable to your landlord.
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 Were all locks changed after the
last tenant left, prior to your moving in? |
 Do all exterior doors have
deadbolts? |
 If the exterior door has a window,
is the lock a double-cylinder lock? (Meaning it can only be
locked or unlocked with a key, not by simply turning the bolt if
someone were to break the window and stick their arm in to
unlock the door.) If it is a double-cylinder lock, do not leave
a key in the lock - or where it could be obtained by someone
sticking their arm through the broken window. |
 Who has access to master
keys, the key to your unit, etc? |
 If repairs are needed, will they be scheduled while you are
home? Or will the landlord let the repairperson in if you are
not home? Are all repairpersons bonded? (Meaning the company
they work for has insurance and, in most cases, has had a
criminal background check run on their employees.) |
 If your front door does not
have a peephole, can one be installed? |
 If your unit has a sliding
glass door, make sure it has a drop bar or get a broom handle
or thick wooden dowel cut to length to prevent the door from
being forced open. |
 Can you have a security
system professionally installed if there isn't already one? If
so, will the landlord request the security code? If yes, who
will have access to it? (Some property management companies
requests this information for routine, scheduled pest control,
maintenance, etc. |
 What normal security is
provided by the complex/owner? Are any special considerations
made during the holidays when most students go home? |
 If bushes/shrubs are as tall
as the windows, can they be trimmed so someone is not able to
hide behind them? |
 Are smoke detectors
installed and working properly? Put in new batteries as soon
as possible, even if they are working, and remember to change
them every six months. |
 Are all exterior doors and
locking devices in good working order so, in the event of a
fire, you can exit quickly? |
 Is the apartment number
clearly posted? |
 Is there adequate night-time
lighting around your unit and in the parking lot? |
 Can a motion-sensor light be
installed at the side of your unit if there in not enough
current lighting at night? |
 Are all the walkways,
entrances, hallways, stairways, laundry rooms and storage
areas well lighted 24 hours a day? |
 Are the fire stairs locked
from the stairwell side above the ground floor, so you can
exit in case of a fire, but no one can enter? |
 Are the mailboxes equipped
with quality locks and positioned in a well-traveled area? |
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