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How to prevent Squatters on your rental property:

Do you have a property that’s been vacant for a while? Watch out for squatters, because these uninvited guests are a pain to deal with.  Here’s what you can do to prevent squatting on your property.

Continue to take care of your property.

Squatters are going to do their research before they move in on an abandoned property. Don’t give your home any reason to be labeled as “abandoned.” Even if it’s sitting empty, continue to take care of it: trim the lawn, clean the gutter, and keep a regular maintenance schedule. A property that’s regularly cared for is less likely to attract the attention of squatters looking for a new home.

Communicate with the neighbors.

If you’re not around all the time, it’s important to talk to your neighbors and notify them that your property is vacant. If squatters were to move in and occupy your property, it’s easy to assume that they’re just the new tenants. Your neighbors are an extra set of eyes when you aren’t around, so keep an open line of communication. Let them know when you have residents moving in or out, and ask them to call you if they think anything suspicious is going on.

Check up on your property regularly.

Just because there are no residents to check up on doesn’t  mean you should stop making your rounds. Check up on your property regularly to make sure everything looks normal and nothing odd is going on. If there are squatters, there might be signs of a break-in or personal items scattered around the property.

Change the locks after a move-out.

Even though your residents have returned the keys to you, there could be extra copies floating around. Previous tenants who are down on their luck could easily use their old keys to re-enter your property. Changing the keys is a simple way to secure your home against trespassers. Also make sure the doors and windows are locked.

Complete thorough credit and background checks for each new tenant.

Not all squatters are the result of a break-in. Your tenants could be the culprits, allowing friends who aren’t on the lease into the property. This type of squatting actually complicates the legal process for getting rid of squatters because your tenant could return, making it difficult to prove your case. Prevent these types of situations from happening by completing a credit and background check for each resident.

In a nutshell, squatters are trespassers who have no right to be on your property. In the case that squatters do invite themselves into your home, be careful about interacting with them. Alert the local police station and research the laws in your area regarding trespassing before you intervene.

By Jennifer Chan

Since 1946 the Carnahan name has had a reputation for honest and ethical Real Estate Property Management services in the San Fernando Valley, Santa Clarita Valley, Burbank/Glendale, Los Angeles, Westside and Conejo Valley areas.

The reason for our success is helping owners like you when they need it. Below is a partial list of property management services we provide to help you protect your real estate investment.

• Tenant placement
• Tenant screening (including: credit check, landlord and employment verification, social security trace report, California eviction check and criminal check)
• Regular property inspections
• Accounting and landlord bill payment
• Monthly financial reporting
• Maintenance service and supervision (we use only proven independent vendors)
• Collections
• Evictions
• We supply all the necessary forms to meet California’s Landlord/Tenant laws
• 24 hour emergency phone service
• Advertising to the broadest tenant base possible

Call or e-mail us today for more information. We’re ready to get started!

Carnahan Property Management services Woodland Hills,West Hills, Calabasas, Canoga Park, Tarzana, Reseda, Topanga, Encino, Northridge, Van Nuys,North Hills,Chatsworth, Sherman Oaks, Studio City, North Hollywood, West Hollywood, San Fernando Valley, Granada Hills, Mission Hills, Simi Valley, West Lake Village, Agoura,Toluca Lake, Valley Village, Burbank. Call us at (818) 884-1500 and check if we can service your area.