At Douglas Realty Property Management in southwest Florida, ensuring that the rental properties we manage meet safety standards is a top priority. Not only is it required by law, but it helps to protect the health and well-being of tenants and visitors, while also protecting the integrity of the property itself. Here are some basic things we check to ensure our rental properties meet Florida safety standards:
Smoke Detectors
Florida’s law requires that rental properties have working smoke detectors installed in each sleeping area, outside of each sleeping area, and on each level of the dwelling. This means that if your rental property has multiple floors, you will need a smoke detector on each floor. Smoke alarms in newly constructed or renovated dwellings are required to be hardwired with a 10-year, tamper-proof lithium-ion battery backup, interconnected, and UL-listed. In dwellings with existing battery smoke detectors, when the detector expires after its 10-year lifespan, it must be replaced with a 10-year, tamper-proof lithium-ion detector to meet state housing law requirements. If a fire breaks out in a property you are renting out, and it is discovered that you did not have proper smoke detectors installed, you could face criminal and civil penalties.
Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that can be deadly if inhaled in large quantities. Florida’s law states “Every separate building or addition to an existing building, other than a hospital, an inpatient hospice facility, or a nursing home facility licensed by the Agency for Health Care Administration, constructed on or after July 1, 2008, and having a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, an attached garage, or other feature, fixture, or element that emits carbon monoxide as a byproduct of combustion shall have an approved operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes in the new building or addition, or at such other locations as required by the Florida Building Code.” You must know if your property has any carbon monoxide emitting fixtures and have the appropriate detectors in place to be in compliance with state law. When you use Douglas Realty Property Management to manage your rental properties, we perform a complete inspection of the entire property and will ensure that carbon monoxide detectors are installed, if required.
Fire Extinguishers
While fire extinguishers are required to be in Florida businesses, there are no such laws requiring them in residential settings. However, we always provide tenants in properties we manage with a fire extinguisher just to be safe. During our property inspections, we always check the expiration date on the fire extinguisher and replace them as needed.
Pool Safety
Some of the properties we manage have a swimming pool. It is required to have a 48” tall or higher fence or other barriers around all pools in Florida. The fence or barrier must be self-closing and have a self-latching gate. Additionally, any doors leading to the pool area should have an alarm that sounds when the door is opened. We ensure that all pools accessible to the properties we manage meet these Florida requirements.
Electrical Wiring
Faulty or outdated electrical wiring can be a fire hazard. We recommend a full electrical inspection before renting out any type of property to ensure the wiring it up to code and in good working order. If a fire breaks out due to faulty wiring and a tenant is injured, the landlord could be held responsible if it can be proven that they were negligent in not identifying and correcting the issue. When you choose Douglas to rent out your properties, we can help you find a qualified electrician to conduct a thorough electrical inspection.
Plumbing
Plumbing issues can cause water damage and mold growth, both of which can be hazardous to health. Regular inspections of the plumbing system can help identify and address potential issues before they become larger problems. When you let Douglas Realty Property Management handle your rentals, we can help you find a qualified plumber to conduct a complete plumbing inspection before your property is rented out.
Emergency Preparedness
We also provide a written emergency plan for your rental properties that includes procedures for handling fires, natural disasters, power outages, and other emergencies. We make sure all tenants are aware of the emergency plan and know how to notify us and emergency personnel in the event of an emergency.
Safe Housing Rentals in Southwest Florida
Don’t compromise safety when renting out your residential or commercial properties. By regularly inspecting and maintaining rental properties, Douglas Realty Property Management can help to ensure the safety and well-being of tenants while also protecting landlord assets.. If you have any questions about Florida safety standards or would like assistance with property management for your southwest Florida properties, call us at 239-542-6906 or contact us online.
