Renting home to kids, toddlers

[Roger Vi]

Hey for the first time I am renting a home out to a family with 4 kids. Their ages range from 8 months-16 years old. What are some things I should be extra careful about? I am mostly concerned with safety issues. Are there certain things in the home I should have inspected? I do not have kids of my own so I really don't know what kind of odd safety hazards kids can get themselves in. Thanks!

[Richard C.]

Make sure they know it is ok to install the tip-prevention kits on the walls.  These are essentially tethering kits that are installed behind large items of furniture to allow them to be "tied" to the wall.

See this:

http://www.nbcnews.com/id/48573739/ns/health-child...

These kind of accidents are horribly common.  Google "toddler killed by dresser" and you will find dozens of stories.

Tenants sometimes worry about installing things like the tip-kits, if they have a landlord who has really emphasized things like not marring the walls.  Because installing them will put a small whole in the drywall.

But personally, i would have a tough time living with myself and my nice smooth walls if a young child died in one of my homes.  So when I have done the initial walk through with tenants and told them about things like hanging pictures, I make sure to emphasize that the anti-tip kits are fine, and actually encouraged.