See the average property tax rates for each state in the U.S. in 2023, ranked from lowest to highest.

Property Taxes By State 2024: Ranked Lowest to Highest

Property taxes are based on the assessed value of a home and vary depending on the tax rate and property value. If you own a high value property in a lower-tax state, you may still pay more than on a modest home in a higher-tax state. 



The states with lowest property tax include Hawaii with the lowest property tax rate at 0.29%, followed by states like Alabama, Colorado, Nevada, and Louisiana.



New Jersey has the highest property tax rate at 2.47%, followed by Illinois, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Vermont.



There are 14 counties with an estimated median property tax above $10,000 across California, New York, New Jersey and Virginia. 

Everyone pays property taxes. Homeowners and investors are the first to investigate states with the lowest property taxes, but residents also benefit from the funding in communities that local property taxes provide (like schools, roads, and fire departments). That means everyone should get curious about property taxes. 

How much a homeowner will pay in property taxes has as much to do with the tax rate as it does with that property’s value. 

When you’re looking to analyze your cash flow or want to better understand the annual costs of a rental home, it’s important to know what tax rate you might pay in your state (and whether your property is in one of the states with the high or low property taxes!). Note that property taxes apply at a local level, so state percentages are based on medians rates. 

Discover Belong PRO: Enhance your rental home experience and financial goals with Belong's simplified services, available in various cities including  Seattle, San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Orlando, Jacksonville, Miami, Oakland, Redmond, and many more. 

Property taxes are based on the assessed value of your home. Though the assessor doesn’t set the tax rate, their assessment of your home value is a key piece of the property tax equation.

Some municipalities use what’s called a mill levy, where 1 mill = $1 of property tax for every $1,000 of assessed value. Others use a property tax rate. Assessed value is calculated as a percentage of the property’s fair market value.

For example, if you owned a home in California that was valued at $573,200, and the property tax rate for 2023 is 0.75%, you would owe $4,279 in property taxes this year. 

That’s why, when it comes to calculating the annual cash flow on a rental home, the property tax rate is equally as important as the home’s assessed value. Even if the state has a low average property tax rate, you may still pay more per year in property taxes if home values are higher than you would in a state with a higher tax rate but lower average home values. 

To make the right decision for you, consider the effective property tax rates by state, starting with the states with the lowest property taxes. This data is based on the 5-year average US Census data, calculated by dividing the median real estate tax paid by the median home value. Your actual rate depends on the local city and the value of your home, so this should be used as an approximate guide only. 

What states have the lowest property taxes 2024? 

The state with the lowest property tax rate is Hawaii, giving investors even more reason to consider the Aloha State. Though their effective property tax rate is a low 0.29%, there are actually several states with property taxes under 1%. The states with an effective property tax of 0.5% or less are Hawaii, Alabama, Colorado, Nevada, Utah, South Carolina, West Virginia, and District of Columbia. 

According to investment guide, The Motley Fool, here are the five states with the lowest property taxes in 2024, alongside their median home values and annual taxes, based on the latest available Census data and 5-year averages. 

The states with the lowest property taxes are: 

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.29%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $1,915

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.43%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $742

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.52%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $2,125

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.55%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $1,793

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 0.57%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $1,972

Though a low average effective property tax rate may sound ideal, it’s not the only property tax figure that counts. The actual amount a homeowner will pay has everything to do with that home’s value. Homeowners in Alabama, for example, may pay less per year in property taxes than Hawaiian homeowners, for example, because most home values in Alabama are lower than those in Hawaii. 

Investors need to consider not only the property tax rate, but what that means for their specific property.  

What states have the highest property taxes 2024? 

The state with the highest property tax rate is New Jersey. The actual rate paid will depend on the value of your property, but the property tax on a median-priced home in New Jersey has averaged more than $8,000 per year in the 5-year averages. The top-5 most expensive states for property tax have a rate between 1.9% - 2.46% and include New Jersey, Illinois, Connecticut, New Hampshire and Texas. 

The top-5 states with the highest property taxes: 

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 2.46%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $8,928

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 2.29%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $5,213

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 2.16%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $6,251

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 2.09%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $6,235

Average Effective Property Tax Rate: 1.90%

Annual Taxes On a Median-Priced Home: $4,399

Property taxes impact homeowners and renters alike. See the average property tax rates for each state in the U.S. in 2023, ranked from lowest to highest.

Better Cash Flow for Your Rental Home

Is Buying Rental Property Worth It in 2024? Uncover the benefits and challenges of real estate to decide if it’s the right type of investment for you.

Is a Rental Property a Good Investment in 2024? Everything To Know

The last few years have been quite a ride for the real estate investment market and 2023 was no exception. First there was the historically-low interest rates, skyrocketing rents and massive appreciation gains. Then homeowners were greeted with rising interest rates, high inflation and constant speculation of a recession.

If your head is spinning, you’re not alone. But bottom line: is rental property still a good investment in 2024?

To find out the potential risks and rewards of the rental market in 2024, Belong compiled research and analysis on the current rental property market from a variety of sources and Belong's own internal insights. This took place between June and November 2023 and is subject to change.

Discover Belong PRO: Take the guesswork out of your cash flow with guaranteed rent, 24/7 support and more by joining the Belong network. 

What are the potential rewards in the real estate market in 2024?

The U.S. doesn't have one 'housing market', but rather many housing markets within every locality. A good buy in Seattle isn't the same as a good buy in Salt Lake City. Some cities have consistent demand, others will go through fluctuations based on supply and demand.

So is buying a new investment property a good idea in 2024? The answer will always depend on your personal situation and the properties you're considering. That said, here is a list of 6 potential rewards or 'pros' of investing in the real estate market in 2024. 

1. Rental homes can hedge against inflation

When inflation rises, so do rents. Real estate investments are often described as a "hedge against inflation." This is because with a fixed-rate mortgage, interest payments will stay the same but your rental income can increase over time. You'll also be building equity in the home and can benefit from inflation and appreciation long-term. 

2. Property values have a history of increasing after economic downturns

Housing appreciation has skyrocketed in recent years, with double-digit gains on the value of most homes. Of course, there's always the risk of an economic downturn that could change that quickly. Thankfully, property values have a history of bouncing back and increasing after economic downturns. That means if you're investing for the long term, you can expect the value of your property to rise over time — even if there's a risk of values declining in the short term. 

3. Single-family homes are less volatile than the stock market

According to data from Roofstock, average annual returns on single-family homes in the rental market are comparable to stock market returns and outperform bond returns, but with considerably less volatility. They also report that there's no correlation between single-family homes and the stock market as an investment, meaning that real estate can be a good way to diversify a portfolio. 

Like the stock market, real estate investing requires careful planning and knowledge to maximize returns. Many first-time investors face a learning curve, but there’s an opportunity to learn what works for your personal finance goals and build on it. Our Belong PRO team specialize in working with first-time rental owners, so if you’re just starting out or have inherited a home, we can simplify your journey and financial success.  

Learn More: What Should I Know Before Renting Out My House For The First Time?

4. Low affordability is fuelling rental demand

Even as house prices slow across many markets, they're far from affordable for many Americans. CNBC reported that even with pricing slumps in some markets across 2023, a number of research firms predict that home prices will keep rising in 2024. This is simply because there aren’t enough homes to meet demand. 

People will always need a place to live and as fewer Americans are able to buy their own homes, good rental investments in the right neighborhoods can continue to attract long-term residents with low vacancy rates. 

Learn More: Belong Expands to New Markets, Giving More Americans a Place to Belong

5. Rental expenses come with tax write-offs and benefits 

Tax write-offs are a major perk of owning a rental property. The IRS outlines rental expenses you may be able to deduct on your tax return including mortgage interest, property tax, and operating expenses including property management fees, depreciation, and repairs. You can even deduct the cost of hiring an accountant or tax professional to maximize your claim. 

Learn More: The Ultimate Tax Prep Guide for Landlords

6. Technology is making it easier than ever to manage a rental property

For the longest time, there’s only ever been two options for managing a rental property: do it yourself (which is a lot of hard work), or hire a property manager (which can come with its own challenges). 

But after lagging behind, technology is finally finding its place to revolutionize how rental homes are managed. Because the real opportunity that modern tech presents is the chance to completely rewrite the rental experience. 

Belong does exactly that, combining industry-busting technology with human smarts to make renting lovable for both homeowners and their residents. From guaranteed rent and 24/7 customer service to innovative financial solutions, we’re flipping old school property management on its head. Learn more here. 

What are the potential risks in the real estate market in 2024?

Now that we've covered the potential rewards, what are the risks of investing in a rental property in 2024? Again, this will vary depending on your personal situation and the locality where you want to invest. But here is a list of 6 risk factors that you should consider before buying a rental property in 2024. 

1. Not all real estate investments create passive income

Owning rental properties isn't always a passive investment. If you're managing the property and finding renters yourself, you'll be spending a lot of time communicating with tenants, hiring (increasingly expensive) maintenance workers to fix issues, and finding new tenants every time renters decide to move out. 

Many first-time landlords say it's a second part-time job they never anticipated. Do your homework and find out the real time-cost of property management and consider if you need to outsource the work.

2. Low inventory is making it more difficult to find good investment options

When demand is hot, many cities become seller’s markets. If you already own a rental property, you’re sitting pretty. But if you’re looking to break into the market, the increase in competition will make it harder on your rental cash flow in the short term. 

3. Interest rates are tipped to remain high

House prices are already high, so an interest rate above 7% can make it hard to finance a rental property investment. Is there any relief in sight in 2024? Maybe, but not until the second-half of the year, according to a CBS Money Watch report. 

Like 2023, this means that unless you have decent capital for a large deposit, buying an investment property in 2024 is going to cost more than in previous years. Renting out a home with a mortgage? Read this first.

4. Rental growth has slowed and may decline in some areas

Location in real estate is always important. But it becomes more so when vacancy rates rise or values drop. Choosing the wrong neighborhood in 2024 could create major challenges, including lower rental income and property values than other markets and a smaller pool of quality tenants to rent to.

According to Zillow in November 2023, rents are still rising but as they stabilize, renters are getting more concessions now than they did in the past few years to sweeten the deal. In 2024, you will need to ensure pricing is accurate and that your house is in top, move-in ready shape to attract the best price and not rely too heavily on the massive rent bumps of recent years. 

Learn More: 6 Ways to Improve Your Rental Listing Price and ROI with Belong

5. Maintenance costs are heavily inflated

Is a rental property a good investment in 2024? Uncover the benefits and challenges of real estate to decide if it’s the right type of investment for you.

Is Buying Rental Property Worth It in 2024?

Get Predictable Returns in 2024 with Guaranteed Rent

Belong looked at Labor Department and Census data to calculate which metros have the biggest housing shortages.

Metros with the Biggest Housing Shortages

Remote work, COVID-19 pandemic migrations, and more investors are causing a housing shortage that's stopping potential homebuyers from accessing the American dream.

The nation has a shortage of 6.5 million homes, according to a Realtor.com analysis—the result of a nearly decades-long construction slowdown following the Great Recession. Still, this year, home sales are on track to be at the lowest level since 2008, when the housing bubble burst, according to Redfin.

"It's an affordability issue," Haydar Kurban, Ph.D., director of Howard University's Center of Excellence in Housing and Urban Research, told Stacker. "People cannot find housing with the prices that they can afford."

The pandemic ushered in more Americans working from home, creating the need for employees to have homes with enough space to function as offices. These workers expanded their home searches beyond pricey urban centers and settled in more affordable cities with attractive amenities—the leading reason for home prices increasing 24% between November 2019 and 2021.

Not only are home prices at record levels, but mortgage rates currently hover near 8% after rising two full points in 2023. Even 1 percentage point can increase a monthly payment by hundreds of dollars. Most American homeowners (63%) need mortgages to purchase homes.

Also adding to the housing shortage and competitive market is the influx of investors looking for potential Airbnbs, flips, and rental properties. Investors bought a record high of "18.4% of the U.S. homes that were purchased in the fourth quarter" of 2021, according to a Redfin study.

Belong crunched Labor Department and Census data to find out which metros are having the biggest housing shortages.

Shortages were determined by calculating the number of new homes being built for every new job added. Generally, one new housing unit should be built per new job to maintain a balanced housing market. Ratios were determined by dividing the number of jobs added between August 2022 and August 2023 by the number of building permits issued from January to August 2023.

Explore a comprehensive property management blog that covers tips, trends, and stories related to long-term renting, home renovation, and more.

While the housing shortage is a national issue, the reason for the crisis is often a regional or even local issue. For instance, major cities such as New York and San Francisco have stricter regulatory requirements, making it harder for developers to build new homes.

Places plagued with the most acute housing shortages had been experiencing population loss leading up to the pandemic; therefore, builders were not putting up new properties. But most people who moved during the height of the pandemic found refuge in these smaller counties.

These migratory patterns made housing in the new locations more competitive.

To combat the affordability problem, federal and local governments are making moves to increase home construction. The Biden administration announced a plan in October 2023 to encourage the conversion of office space to housing; the month before, New York City proposed making it easier to build by lifting zoning restrictions and easing mandates.

Below are the 15 metropolitan areas with the most severe housing shortages. Metros needed at least 50 housing units under construction to be ranked.

- Job-to-housing permit ratio: 16.4
 -- 61 permits issued
 -- 1,000 jobs added

- Job-to-housing permit ratio: 16.8
 -- 191 permits issued
 -- 3,200 jobs added

- Job-to-housing permit ratio: 17.1
 -- 755 permits issued
 -- 12,900 jobs added

- Job-to-housing permit ratio: 17.1
 -- 187 permits issued
 -- 3,200 jobs added

- Job-to-housing permit ratio: 17.7
 -- 356 permits issued
 -- 6,300 jobs added

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- Job-to-housing permit ratio: 18.0
 -- 350 permits issued
 -- 6,300 jobs added

- Job-to-housing permit ratio: 18.2
 -- 132 permits issued
 -- 2,400 jobs added

Get Less Vacancies and Guaranteed Rent

What real estate markets should you be watching in 2024? We found the top 15 markets to watch, according to an industry survey (and Boise, Idaho isn't on it!)

15 Markets To Watch If You Want To Buy a Rental Home in 2024

When considering real estate as an investment, usually the first question that comes to mind is “where?”. With “location, location, location” still the top three criteria for a good buy, it’s no wonder real estate professionals across the country focus so much attention on trying to predict where the next best bet will be. 

In the past few years, the biggest trend in real estate has been migration. People keep heading to good weather, more space, and more affordable locations within the US. Cost of living and quality of life are becoming more influential, alongside usual factors such as strong labor markets.

So where are the cities that potential real estate investors should be focusing their search for a good deal? And for homeowners considering holding onto property to rent out, are there big opportunities in your city? For clues on where the next emerging markets could be, we took a look through PwC’s latest report, “Emerging Trends in Real Estate 2024”. Here’s what we found. 

Top 15 U.S. markets for real estate investors to watch

According to a survey of real estate consultants and industry professionals, here are the top 15 markets to watch:

Source: Emerging Trends in Real Estate surveys, compiled by Nelson Economics, Emerging Trends in Real Estate surveys, compiled by Nelson Economics, published by PwC in this report. 

Where is everyone moving to in 2024? All eyes remain on the Sun-Belt region where the population is soaring — much like the temperatures they enjoy. However being an attractive prospect for real estate also makes metros in this region fiercely competitive, so potential buyers need to do their research on the best localities to find a deal. Migration-magnet cities include Atlanta, Phoenix, San Antonio, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston and Miami. 

Fastest growing real estate markets in 2024

The fastest growing markets on the list are Austin, Nashville, and Raleigh/Durham. Though the pace of growth is slowing as the cost of living and competition for real estate grows, these metro areas have enjoyed incredible and sustained population growth in recent years. 

The PwC report also notes that Boise in Idaho is absent from the top 20 list for the first time in two years. After being considered a shooting star in 2022, it’s fallen to 41 in this year’s report. It’s a timely reminder that there’s risk in chasing the same bets as everyone else and some may prefer the stability of more established markets. 

Which brings us to opportunities in mid-size cities. Potential buyers who want the stability of a big and established city, but can’t afford the entry cost of a major metro like Los Angeles, San Francisco or Seattle, often look to their smaller counterparts. Sometimes called “18-hour cities”, these cities don’t operate 24/7, but offer similar quality of public services and job opportunities. The report lists Charlotte, Denver, and San Diego as the top mid-sized cities to watch in 2024. 

Discover Belong PRO: With guaranteed rent, 24/7 support and an innovative approach to renting, see why thousands of US homeowners are ditching outdated Property Management in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Tampa, Jacksonville, Concord, Berkeley, Orlando and more.

Challenges and opportunities in single-family rentals in 2024

Unlike short-term rentals and the stock market, long-term single-family rentals provide a critical service to the community — a place to call home. For many Americans, home ownership is out of reach for them right now. Or they need to relocate temporarily for work. Or aren’t ready to pull the trigger on a forever home. But everyone needs a place to live.

The report predicts that economic uncertainty, coupled with a shift in lifestyle preferences will continue the trend of more adults delaying homeownership. This will keep up the demand for high quality long-term rentals in desirable neighborhoods. For homeowners looking for stability, locking in great residents for 12 months with guaranteed rent can offer predictable and reliable income. 

The challenges ahead center on the cost of living. Home expenses are rising in every direction. Most landlords have successfully passed on those costs into higher rents, but the skyrocketing growth of years past has slowed. If your rental home is in an area with more housing supply coming into the market, you will need to factor this in before any major hikes send good residents packing. 

The rising cost of insurance is another factor to consider. Many of the listed high-growth markets also happen to be in areas that experience extreme weather conditions. Heatwaves, wildfires, storms, flooding and hurricanes can all send your insurance premiums through the roof. The ongoing cost to protect your asset is worth considering before investing in real estate in a high-risk area. 

Learn More: Why Belong Focuses on Long-Term Rentals

Reach your financial goals with guaranteed rent

Belong is simplifying the rental experience and helping more homeowners reach their financial goals through real estate. Tell us about your rental home now to get started. 

You can also visit our homeowner's page to learn more about how our modern, tech-enabled services are helping people ditch property management in the markets mentioned in this article including Austin, San Antonio, Tampa, Raleigh/Durham, Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, Miami and more. 

Disclaimer: A major city doesn’t represent one 'housing market', but rather many housing markets within every locality. A good buy in Miami isn't necessarily the same as a good buy in Tampa. Some cities have consistent demand, others will go through fluctuations based on supply and demand. It’s important to consult with a professional and consider your personal financial situation, local microeconomic factors and other risk factors before choosing to invest in real estate. This article should not be considered financial advice. 

Bigger, better, easier support has arrived! Learn how Belong's new expert teams are making renting even more lovable for rental homeowners and their residents.

Easier, Better, Faster, Stronger: Our Customer Support Service is Growing!

Easier, Better, Faster, Stronger — our Belong PRO full service management service has gotten an upgrade! 

As of November 1st, we’ve added new teams of dedicated specialists to our full-service management experience. Still 24/7 and available to both homeowners and residents. 

This means when you contact us, in addition to support from your dedicated account manager, you’ll get direct and fast access to the team with the best knowledge and skills to answer your questions. We have dedicated teams with expertise in everything from Resident Placement and Leasing, Maintenance and Home Repairs to Taxes and HOA Management. 

Like your account manager, all team members will help to place high-quality residents, while maintaining, and generating income for years to come. The only difference you’ll notice is faster response times and a few more friendly Belong faces alongside your regular point of contact. 

We’re always striving to innovate and revolutionize the renting experience. We’ve reviewed feedback from homeowners and residents and concluded that specialist teams were a better way forward to speed up and improve the management of your home. While you can still get in touch with your concierge/account manager as you always have, direct access to a wider range of experts will get your questions or concerns taken care of quicker than if your account manager had to find an answer and get back to you. 

Do I still get 24/7 support? What about my residents?

You bet! No change here, open the Belong app or call/email/text us to access support from your success team at any time. This change also applies to your residents, so no need to worry about any late-night phone calls! 

What happens to my concierge and account manager?

Whenever you reach out you will speak to the correct person on your success team. For example, if you have a question about an ongoing repair, your home care associate will be the one to respond. This will allow for quicker response times without any bouncing around or waiting for a call back after being transferred.

But you can still reach out to your account manager as you always did. Moving forward, they may introduce you to other Belongers to support you, depending on your query. If you have any questions about the change or any outstanding queries on your home, your account manager would be happy to assist you.

No! This change will have no impact on your guaranteed rent payment or your management fee. 

Let us give you a brief introduction to who you may meet on your Belong journey:

First up — getting to know you and your financial goals, so we can help you achieve them through renting out your home. We’ll walk you through the process of getting your home loved by Belong PRO and will arrange for an initial inspection of your rental home. 

Stage 2: Getting your home ready for residents

Based on the inspection report, our home preparation and repairs team will take action to get your home listed at the best possible price. If your home needs a lick of paint or some TLC, they can arrange for a professional from our 10,000+ strong vendor network to complete the job to the highest standard. 

Stage 3: Listing your rental home and placing residents

When your home is move-in ready, our Resident Placement and Listing specialists will get your home seen, vet applicants, and secure a rental price that will meet your financial goals. They will also proactively manage the move-in experience to ensure it goes as smoothly as possible.

Once a lease is signed, our exceptional customer service will extend to both you and your long-term residents. We’re a proactive bunch — nothing will slide into disrepair on our watch and you won’t need to worry about a thing. Our teams are experts at reducing vacancies and maintenance costs by keeping everything in top shape. 

24/7 support is just the beginning — Belong is always innovating and expanding to make renting lovable for homeowners and their residents. Want to know what all the fuss is about? Learn more about Belong PRO here. 

Get Unmatched 24/7 Support at Your Fingertips

Rental home emergency preparedness for landlords: Learn how to make a rental property safety plan and why it's important in complying with landlord-tenant law.

Creating a Rental Property Safety Plan: Why It's A Legal Must For Landlords

When you own a rental home you have a legal responsibility to make sure it’s a safe and secure place for someone to live. This is why it's so important to plan for what you’ll do if disaster or emergency strikes. A rental property safety plan can protect both your residents and your own interests.

Maintain the premises in a fit and habitable condition

Keep all common areas in a safe condition

Maintain all facilities and appliances supplied in good and safe working order

Provide and maintain working smoke detectors

Comply with federal, state and local housing laws that apply to your rental home

So what happens if someone breaks a window in your rental home? Or a pipe bursts and floods the bathrooms? Or a wildfire damages the home? Any number of scenarios could suddenly make your home unlivable and risk your rental income.

How to create a rental property safety plan

A rental property safety plan can reduce your liability and minimize lost income. It doesn’t need to be a complex document. It’s more to give consideration for how you might deal with an emergency situation. In this article, we’ll cover five key ways to prepare for an emergency and mitigate damage or loss in your rental property. 

Emergency situations and disasters are unpredictable — which is exactly what insurance is for. Having the right insurance coverage should be the first item to plan for when putting your home on the rental market. Standard homeowners insurance will only cover a property that is owner-occupied, so if you move tenants in, it’s time to find a new policy. 

Depending on the type of coverage you select, landlord insurance policies generally protect you and your rental home against:

Structural damage in instances of vandalism, theft, fire, or storms



Liability from injuries that happen on your property or damage caused by your residents and/or their guests



Loss of rental income when the property is uninhabitable during repairs and restoration

It’s worth noting that flood is usually an optional extra for insurance premiums. You can ask about flood protection in your own policy, or look at joining FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. 

If you join the Belong PRO network to manage your rental home, you’ll have the option of adding a dedicated policy to your account. This ensures you are protected as a homeowner and that property damage can be taken care of to keep a roof over the head of your resident. For additional peace of mind, we have the same requirement for your residents, with renters insurance a requirement of all tenants we place. 

Learn More: What Type of Insurance Should I Get For My Rental Property? 

2. Prepare a list of who to call for immediate repairs 

When emergency repairs are needed, how fast can you get someone to your rental home? Do you know who to call or will you be hitting Google to try and hunt someone down? And if you do find someone, do you have the spare cash to pay for the repair bill? 

Contractors and ‘handymen’ are increasingly hard to come by these days. It could take weeks or even months to find someone reliable and willing to take on a small job, such as making repairs on a single rental home. 

That means if you’re a self-managing landlord, you will need to have a list of go-to contractors that you can depend on. Planning for emergency repairs and having a budget handy will make things much smoother if the worst does happen. 

If your home is on the Belong PRO network, your repair plan is all set. Belong PRO homeowners get instant access to our extensive vendor network of over 10,000 professional contractors. All you need to do is notify your Belong concierge, available 24/7 on the app to both you and your residents. You can even choose to spread the costs over the term of your lease, helping you to stay cash flow positive without needing a large contingency fund. 

Discover Belong PRO: See why thousands of US homeowners are ditching outdated Property Management in San Francisco, San Diego, Los Angeles, Austin, Tampa, Jacksonville, Concord, Berkeley, Orlando, Charlotte, and more.

3. Take measures to make your rental home secure

Security risks are not always an emergency, but they have the potential to be. While preventing crime is not your sole responsibility, you do need to take reasonable measures to keep your home secure and limit opportunistic crime where possible. 

If a resident raises a safety concern, this should be addressed quickly. Failure to take action could be seen as negligent — e.g. not fixing a broken window, resulting in a home robbery.

A rental home security plan should include the following items: 

A process for conducting thorough background checks on potential tenants to assess if anyone may pose a threat to your home or others. A trusted property manager or modern alternative like Belong can also manage this for you. 



Installation and maintenance of deadbolts and security gates to reduce the risk of break-ins. 



A contractor to call if you need to repair any broken windows, doors, or other entry points that could provide unauthorized access to the property.



An eviction plan that includes changing the locks and any access codes if you are ever forced to evict a tenant.



Provision in your lease agreement to prohibit illegal activity, based on local and state laws. 

If your residents or neighbors make a complaint or advise you of any suspicious activity, document these concerns and contact local authorities. If your home is managed by Belong PRO, our team will handle all resident contact and manage any emergency situations such as repairing broken locks or even evicting problem tenants. 

Read More: Criminal Activities in Rentals: Can Landlords Be Held Responsible?

4. Create a fire safety plan for your rental

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