Rental Property Fall Risk Checklist 6 Quick Wins

Landlords and property owners not only have a legal duty to keep their tenants safe, but also to protect their reputation and prevent costly lawsuits. These are some of the most important reasons to maintain safety in their rental units.

Falls are some of the most common types of rental property accidents, and property owners can take action to greatly reduce their risks. This guide lists six ways that you can improve the safety of your rental property and increase its desirability to tenants.

Brighten Pathways and Entrances

The first way you can improve the safety of your rental property is by improving the lighting of your pathways and entries. Poorly lit areas are a major cause of slips, trips and falls.

Light your exterior pathways including driveways, stairways, and entries with enough light to allow renters to safely navigate the property in the dark. Motion sensor activated LED lights are an inexpensive way to light these areas while reducing your property utility bill. Clearly marked signs on stairwells and other uneven surfaces will help guide tenants safely through your dark property.

Keep the Area Clean and Log Incidents

Do the following to keep your facilities safe and clean:

• Clean up any spilled drinks
•  Ensure that walkways are clear
•  Keep public areas safe by ensuring all electrical cords are properly anchored.
• Keep accurate records of all incidents that take place at your rental property, such as when repairs were made or when a dangerous situation was addressed.

 A well-documented incident file can serve as evidence for you in the event that you need to dispute an incident with a tenant. For instance, if a tenant is injured on your property in Oklahoma, you need slip and fall legal help to protect yourself. Keeping your documentation and timelines organized will also make it simple to provide your tenants with answers when needed.

Secure Handrails and Install Stair Recap Strips (Nosing)

Whether indoors or outdoors, all staircases require a handrail. Make sure that your handrail is secure and runs the full length of your staircase.

A stair recap strip gives you better visibility and traction, especially for older and disabled individuals. Handrails and recap strips prevent misstep accidents.

Improve Traction In Bathing Spaces

Bathrooms are some of the most dangerous places for slips and falls. Adding simple things like non-slip mats, adhesive anti-slip strips on shower walls/tubs, and using a textured surface for the bathroom floor can reduce the likelihood of accidents occurring. Adding grab bars near the retention and shower basin can give your tenants a little bit of comfort and additional assurance when bathing.

Improve Exterior Drainage and Wintertime De-icing

Both water accumulation and ice build-up can be hazardous. Make sure that downspouts and gutters are directing water away from access walkways, and establish a slope on landscaping to allow for proper drainage. In the winter months, snow and ice need to be removed on a regular basis.

Use High DCOF Floors

The slip resistance of floor surfaces is measured using Dynamic Coefficient of Friction (DCOF). When selecting replacement or renovation flooring, select flooring materials with a high DCOF value.

Choosing such flooring can reduce the chances of a slip or fall when entering or leaving the rental units. Some examples of good flooring materials are vinyl tile that has been treated for slip resistance, ceramic tile that is slightly textured, and treated hardwood surfaces.

Protect Your Property With Minimal Renovations

 You will not need to make large-scale renovations or invest a lot of money. Instead, creating small and consistent improvements over time will improve your rental properties’ safety, lower tenant accidents and potential claims against you, and protect your investment from unnecessary loss. Safety gives you peace of mind and limits your costs over time.