Blog Post

Making Accommodations for Your Rental

Dustin Edwards • Oct 03, 2023

It's not uncommon for investors to overlook certain accommodations that can help people with disabilities. Roughly 25% of adults have some sort of disability in the United States, with the most common of disabilities being related to mobility.


While you don’t need to remodel your entire rental to accommodate every disability, we will cover a few modifications that can help those with disabilities and appliances that nearly anyone can use.


Americans with Disabilities Act

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is meant to help those with disabilities. Multi-family homes typically have to abide by these rules. However, single-family rentals can be layered. For example, if you do remodeling with the explicit intent to use the home as a rental, keeping the ADA in mind is advised. Though it may not be explicitly required, future-proofing your home to be proactively compliant can, at best, save you money in the future and, at worst, provide a comfortable home for someone who may be disabled. This means doors with enough room for wheelchair turn clearance and having at least one accessible bathroom on the main floor. 


ADA Compliant Appliances

When making accommodations for your rental, you can purchase different kinds of appliances to help those who may be disabled. They may not seem like it at first, though many of them have accessibility in mind. For example, ADA-compliant cooktops may have front-mounted easy-to-turn knobs without an oven which gives additional space to wheelchair users. An ADA-compliant oven typically has side swinging doors instead of drop-down doors.


Modifications Within Reason

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, people with disabilities are entitled to reasonable accommodations paid for by a housing provider. These items can include:


  • Building Ramps
  • Widening Doorways
  • Lowering Kitchen Countertops
  • Roll-in Showers
  • Visual or Auditory Doorbells/Alarms


There are still more modifications that tenants with disabilities are allowed to do to the rental. Once again, within reason. These include grab bars in bathrooms and adjustable/handheld shower heads.


Landlords must also ensure common areas are accessible and anything else is needed for a person to live comfortably and safely within a unit.


Smart Home Technology

There is an advantage to incorporating smart home devices for inaccessible rentals. It cannot be understated how convenient smart home technologies such as outlets, dimmers, and light switches can be for those with mobility disabilities. While for many people, smart devices provide a sense of commodity, these same devices can be a lifestyle change for someone who cannot reach certain switches or for older building pull chains for fans and closet lights.


Promote Inclusivity

Once you’ve finished modifying your rental, you need a marketing and promotion strategy. Remember that you’re trying to attract tenants who value the new features that promote accessibility. Use descriptive language to highlight the features, ramps, widened doorways, grab bars, and ADA-compliant appliances. Be sure to take multiple professional photos from a variety of angles. This can help tenants interested in the accessibility to visualize themselves living in your rental for years to come. By showcasing inclusivity in your marketing materials, you’ll attract tenants seeking accessible and welcoming living spaces.


While ensuring a rental is ADA-compliant may feel daunting, prioritizing accessibility and inclusivity in your property enhances your rental appeal, legal compliance, and tenant satisfaction. This can ultimately benefit both your tenants and investors in the long run. If you need help making your rental ADA-compliant or need help managing your property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our
Owner Application online.

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By Dustin Edwards 01 May, 2024
Everyone wants to feel safe in their homes. As an investment property owner, it's up to you to decide whether or not to include security measures in your property. Many of the costs associated with the security measures can be included in the rent, meaning not only can you keep your property safe, but you can earn more income in the long run. However, you would still want your tenants to have renters insurance to protect their assets. Today, we’ll discuss the top five security measures you can add to your property and why they're beneficial to you and your tenant. Security Cameras Cameras are probably one of the first security measures people think about when asked about security. Cameras provide more benefits than just surveillance. They provide an extra level of security for the safety of the tenants and their belongings. Additionally, security cameras can be useful when repairs are required. Cameras can aid in supervising repairs and maintenance to ensure you’re receiving the agreed-upon work. During vacancies when the property is empty, security cameras can help keep the property safe from potential intruders. Doorbell cameras are incredibly popular now. They provide the aforementioned safety of a camera that can be accessed remotely, as well as the ability to communicate with visitors. Although one must be careful never to say you're not home, just say you're unavailable to strangers. Security Lights Security lights with motion detectors are another effective tool when adding security measures to your property. These lights brightly if a potential intruder attempts to get near your home. They can provide enough illumination to see the intruder or, at the very least, scare them off. Nowadays, you can find a combination of security cameras and motion-activated security lights, such as the floodlight cam wired plus from Ring . Additionally, because these lights only turn on when motion is detected, they’re more cost-effective than traditional lights with a switch. Illuminate the Property Light generally deters intruders as it's more difficult to hide. Adding lighting to the landscaping can increase the security of the property while creating a relaxing atmosphere. Lights can also be used in other areas of the property to accent features such as trees, benches, or artwork. This can help your property stand out while giving your tenants an additional feeling of safety. Keyless Entry Keyless entry is seen as both a convenience feature and a security feature. They usually use an electronic passcode, biometric data, or grant access through a smartphone app. Physical keys can be lost, stolen, or duplicated. You reduce the risk of unauthorized entry by eliminating the need for a physical key to enter the property. Many keyless entry systems include several features, such as remote locking and monitoring. Although keyless entry is a great new technology for keeping your tenants and properties safe, they’re best used with other security systems. Security Company Nothing beats having an extra pair of eyes on your property for security. This is where security companies like ADT and SimpliSafe come in. While companies may deal with security in varying ways, they aim to protect your investment. While safety is the primary role of a security company, remember that many tenants may be willing to pay more for a premium amenity like a home security company. Keeping your property and tenants safe is incredibly important to the longevity of an investment property. If you’re looking to improve the security of your Long Beach rental property or need help managing your beach city rental property, we invite you to call us today at (562) 888-0247 or fill out our Owner Application online .
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