Utah Realtor Murdered while attempting to evict tenant

[Logan M.]

In 2019 a local Realtor/Landlord was murdered when he was attempting to talk to the tenant about getting caught up on rent or being evicted. He was shot three times in the back and once in the groin.

https://www.ksl.com/article/50482416/man-admits-to-killing-south-jordan-realtor-in-early-2019

I saw another Bigger Pockets post talking about an investor in Baltimore being killed and I wanted to share a few of my operational safety procedures. I would like to hear what additional tips other investors have to share. 

Safety tips for Landlords

1. Never collect rent in person.

2. Keep positive communication with tenants and work with them.

3. Always pay a constable to deliver notices like eviction notices.

4. Have a gatekeeper at your office.

5. Keep the relationship Professional No insults, No demeaning language, and treat them like humans.

6. Don't announce regular visits, when you are going to your properties show up unannounced.

Obviously, if you are going into the property you need to give notice but remember I own Mobile Home Parks mainly.

7. Don't eat anything from your tenants. I also discourage taking anything besides money from your tenants.

8. Understand as a Landlord that even though you own the house, it is their home.

This is where they sleep, spend time with their family and it is their space even if they are behind on rent.

9. Never use your home address for anything business related, you may want to put your primary residence in a name that can't be searched the same as your personal name.

10. Don't be social media friends with any of your tenants.

You need to create separation between your tenants and your personal life.

Feel free to add to this list but the more I do this the more protections I put in place, it is just good business.