Security Screens a must for your Rental Property

[lwptoc]

It’s no surprise that happy tenants make for a happy landlord. So while everyone is pinching pennies these days, spending a bit of extra money and time making your rental property as liveable as possible means that you’ll reap the rewards from your long-term investment and hopefully your long-term tenants.

What are the benefits of installing security screens in your rental property?

Often when people think of security screens, they picture those metal grates that are just plain eyesores.

Thankfully, extra strong and durable security screens are now available with a range of great looking products on the market. These screen come in a variety of colours, designs and styles to fit in with the existing décor of the property. This is important when it comes to a rental property because kerb appeal is imperative to adding value to your home and acctracting the right tenants.

Security screens provide a lot to a home – they act as a deterrent to intruders, they increase the level of comfort allowing cool breezes and light into the house, and they stop pesky mosquitoes and bugs getting in. All of which tenants are willing to pay that little bit more for each month.

What are the costs?

This is a common question amongst landlords but it’s a difficult one to answer definitively. There are number of variables that will determine the price of installing security screens into your property.

Not every door or window fits the same dimensions so most quality security screen companies will custom build the screens to fit the home. Measuring services are offered by brands to ensure the screens are made to the correct size and installed correctly.

You can also choose between different styles of screen – steel mesh or aluminium perforated sheet – which will cost you varying amounts. Options such as triple lock systems, powder coated frame colours, and even pet doors will affect the cost of the screens.

Here’s a rough guide of what you can expect to pay – although this will vary depending on the brand, size, add-ons and whether or not you’re purchasing multiple screens in a bundle.

For a small window upwards of $200 and for a larger one somewhere between $350 and $400.
For the front door expect to pay at least $700
And to deck out the back patio with sliding or folding doors this can be $5,000 or more depending on the size.

For a more comprehensive idea of costs visit Crimsafe.

What do Image Property Management tenants have to say about security screens?

Of the tenants surveyed by Image Property Management, a majority said they would like to see security screens in a rental property. In fact, of the 84 tenants surveyed, an alarming 78 of them preferred to have security screen in the rental property they would live in – that’s 93%! Here are just some of the reasons why.

It provides an extra level of safety.

Many of the tenants surveyed either had families or lived on their own so the added protection of a security door was a huge bonus for them. One single mum commented that, “it gives a sense of security especially when you are a single working mother” and was concerned that the current property she lived in was not installed with security screens. Another tenant claimed that they live in a high crime area and lives on his own so a security screen “makes [him] feel safer.”

It keeps the pests out

Keeping out mosquitoes and pesky bugs are a legitimate problem, particularly in Queensland. Security screen mesh does a great job of keeping these unwanted guests out of the home without compromising airflow or security. Many tenants claimed their frustrations with mosquitoes in the current property they’re renting. One tenant in particular said they would seek security screens in their next rental property, “because they allow us to keep the windows open without any bugs getting inside. Letting a nice breeze come in at all times.”

It saves on power bills

This is a big bonus for renters. Being able to keep doors and windows open during Summer and Spring to let in any cool breezes means they don’t need to waste electricity on expensive air conditioners. One tenant claimed, “it saves power as you don’t have to use the aircon and you can have air flowing through your house without being worried that someone might walk in and rob the place while you’re at the other end of your home.”

They allow air to flow through the house

Letting the outdoors indoors is important for keeping your home friendly and inviting while ensuring the safety of your family. Breathing in fresh air is so important to your own health and the health of your family. Those that are particularly sensitive to dust will benefit from the ventilation in the home. One tenant describes that security screens “allow much needed airflow through the house while maintaining security at the front door. I would have been very appreciative of a security screen door during the hot summer just past.”

If you’d like to know more about what tenants are looking for;