Prevent the Two Costliest Holiday Claims: Water Leaks & Break-Ins
- José R. Hernández
- 5 hours ago
- 5 min read
The holiday season brings joy, travel, and time with family. For property owners, it can also increase the risk of two of the most expensive insurance claims: water damage and break-ins. When tenants travel, and properties sit empty, the potential for a slow leak to become a catastrophic flood or for an opportunistic thief to strike increases significantly.
Protecting your investment portfolio requires a proactive strategy that goes beyond simply reminding tenants to lock their doors. This guide provides actionable, technology-driven solutions to secure your properties against water leaks and theft. By implementing these measures, you can minimize risk, prevent costly repairs, and ensure your rental income stream remains secure through the holidays and beyond.
The Unseen Threat: Preventing Holiday Water Damage
A burst pipe or a slow leak from a water heater can cause tens of thousands of dollars in damage in just a few days. During the holidays, when tenants are away and properties are unmonitored, a minor issue can quickly escalate. The key to prevention is a combination of manual preparation and smart technology.
Implement a Main Water Shutoff Strategy
For properties that will be vacant for an extended period—whether between tenants or during a long holiday—the most effective way to prevent water damage is to shut off the main water supply.
How It Works:
Locate the Main Shutoff Valve: Before a vacancy, ensure you and your property manager know the exact location of the main water shutoff valve for each unit.
Turn Off the Water: For planned vacancies, make shutting off the water a standard procedure. A simple turn of the valve can prevent a major disaster.
Drain the Pipes: After shutting off the main valve, open the faucets at the highest and lowest points of the house to drain any remaining water from the pipes. This is especially critical in colder climates to prevent pipes from freezing and bursting.
This simple, no-cost action is your first and best line of defense. It completely removes the risk of a supply line bursting while the property is unoccupied.
Deploy Smart Leak Sensors
For occupied properties where tenants are away for a shorter trip, shutting off the main water supply isn't always practical. In these cases, smart water leak sensors are an invaluable and cost-effective solution.
These small, battery-powered devices can be placed in high-risk areas. When they detect moisture, they send an immediate alert to your smartphone, allowing you to take action before significant damage occurs.
Strategic Placement for Maximum Protection:
Under Sinks: Kitchen and bathroom sinks are common sources of slow leaks from supply lines or drains.
Next to Water Heaters: Water heaters have a limited lifespan and can fail without warning. A sensor here can provide a crucial early alert.
Behind Toilets: A failing wax ring or supply line can lead to hidden water damage.
Near Washing Machines: Hoses can become brittle and crack over time.
In Basements or Ground-Floor Utility Closets: Place sensors in low-lying areas where water is likely to collect first.
For a small investment, these sensors provide 24/7 monitoring and peace of mind, transforming a potential catastrophe into a manageable maintenance task.
Fortifying Your Property Against Break-Ins
An empty home during the holidays is an attractive target for thieves. Traditional locks and a "beware of dog" sign are no longer enough. Modern security measures offer superior protection and give you more control over who has access to your property.
Leverage Smart Locks for Secure Access
Physical keys pose a significant security risk. They can be copied, lost, or never returned by former tenants or contractors. Smart locks eliminate this problem by replacing traditional keys with digital access codes.
Key Benefits for Property Owners:
Control Access Remotely: You can create, delete, and manage unique access codes for tenants, maintenance vendors, and property managers from anywhere.
Eliminate Rekeying Costs: When a tenant moves out, you simply delete their code. There’s no need to call a locksmith to rekey the locks, saving you time and money.
Track Entry and Exit: Many smart locks provide an activity log, showing you exactly when the property was accessed and by which code. This adds a powerful layer of accountability.
Grant Temporary Access: Need to let a plumber in for an emergency repair while the tenant is away? You can issue a temporary code that expires after a set time, ensuring the vendor can only enter when authorized.
Smart locks are an essential tool for maximizing security and operational efficiency across your rental portfolio.
Optimize Security Camera Placement
Visible security cameras are one of the most effective deterrents against break-ins. However, their placement is critical. You must balance providing comprehensive security coverage with respecting your tenant's right to privacy.
Guidelines for Lawful and Effective Camera Placement:
Focus on Exteriors and Entry Points: The primary goal is to monitor who is approaching and entering the property. Good locations include:
Front Door: A video doorbell is an excellent first point of contact.
Back and Side Doors: Don’t neglect secondary points of entry.
Driveways and Garages: Monitor vehicle and foot traffic approaching the property.
Ground-Floor Windows: Cover vulnerable access points, especially those not visible from the street.
Never Place Cameras Inside: It is illegal in Florida and most other jurisdictions to place cameras inside a rental property where a tenant has a reasonable expectation of privacy. This includes living rooms, bedrooms, and bathrooms.
Disclose All Cameras: Be transparent with your tenants. The lease agreement should clearly disclose the presence and location of all exterior security cameras.
Well-placed cameras not only deter criminals but also provide invaluable evidence if a security incident does occur.
Protect Your Portfolio with Expert Management
The holiday season doesn’t have to be a period of high risk for your investments. By implementing a main water shutoff policy, deploying smart leak sensors, and upgrading to modern security solutions such as smart locks and cameras, you can effectively safeguard your properties against the costliest potential claims.
Managing these systems and coordinating with tenants across multiple properties can be complex. An expert property management partner can implement these protective measures for you, ensuring your portfolio is secure year-round.
Don't leave your investments vulnerable this holiday season. Contact Don Asher Management today to learn how our comprehensive property management solutions can help you maximize returns and protect your assets with confidence.
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At Don Asher Management, we've proudly served the Central Florida community for over 70 years. As a locally owned company with a strong understanding of the local market, we've cultivated strong relationships with regional and national contractors to deliver top-quality services. We're dedicated to meeting your property and HOA management needs with a personalized touch, combining our decades of experience and commitment to detail to provide unmatched service. We're confident in our ability to deliver exceptional services tailored just for you. Choose Don Asher Management—where personalized attention meets professional service.