How to Prevent Squatters on Your Rental Property
Are you a landlord with a rental property? If so, then you need to be aware of squatters. Squatters are people who move into a vacant property without the owner's permission. In some cases, they will try to claim the property as their own. If you're not prepared, squatters can cause a lot of damage and headaches for landlords (not to mention money and time!). With this in mind, we want to discuss how to prevent squatters from moving into your rental property.
Preventing Squatters
As they say, prevention is always better than cure. The best way to deal with squatters is to stop them from moving in before they have a chance to cause any problems. Here are some tips:
Use Home Security - Firstly, make sure your rental property is equipped with a good home security system. This will help to deter squatters (and other criminals) from trying to break in. Even when the property is unoccupied, a visible security system will make potential squatters think twice before trying anything.
Always Use a Management Company - Next, if you can, always use a professional management company to look after your rental property. This is especially important if the property is located in an area with a high squatter population. A management company will have the resources and experience to deal with squatters quickly and efficiently, without draining your own resources.
What's more, OKC rental property management offers tenant screening, moving reports, maintenance requests, rent collection, and more. With happy tenants, they will treat your property like a home, and you can avoid potential issues.
Put Signs Around the Property - Although you might think that this step is a bit too much, it can help deter squatters. Post signs that state "No Trespassing" or "No Loitering" in strategic places around your rental property and you'll notice a difference.
Market Vacancies Effectively - When your property is vacant, it's the perfect time for squatters to move in. To prevent this from happening, make sure that you market your vacancy effectively. List your rental unit on popular websites, put up flyers in the neighborhood, and do whatever else you can to let people know that your unit is available.
Dealing with Squatters
What if this advice is too late? What if you already have squatters living on your property? While it's not an ideal situation, there are steps that you can take to deal with the problem:
Contact the Authorities - Primarily, you'll want to contact the police. In some cases, they may be able to help you remove the squatters from your property (something you should never attempt to do yourself if you don't want to complicate the situation!).
Start the Process for an Eviction Notice - If you have squatters, you'll likely need to go through the legal process of evicting them from your property. This usually starts with giving them an eviction notice, which can be done with the help of an attorney. Depending on your location, the process differs, but you will probably want to follow this with a civil claim.
Win an Eviction Order from the Court - With the right professionals by your side, you can file the appropriate paperwork with the court and attend a hearing. The judge will likely rule in your favor, giving you an eviction order that will be carried out by law enforcement.
The Importance of Oklahoma City Rental Property Management
As mentioned previously, one of the best ways to avoid squatters is by working with a professional rental property management company. These companies will screen tenants thoroughly before approving them for your rental unit; this can save you a lot of time, money, and headaches in the long run.
With effective management, you can also ensure that the tenant has a positive experience living in your rental unit. This, in turn, will make it less likely that the tenant will try to squat in your unit after their lease has ended. Why not explore your options today?
