AC unit Vandalism at Property

[Randa C.]

Hi all!  My husband and I are part- time real estate investors.  We currently own/manage 3 properties, so I would consider us to still be pretty new to the process.  Recently, we have encountered some issues with vandalism at one of our properties.  Twice in the past 6 months, we have had someone (not the tenant) purposely damaging the AC unit.  Yesterday, after receiving a call from the tenant about the AC unit not cooling, I called my usually AC repair guy.  He determined that the coil within the unit had been so badly damaged with a screw driver, and could no longer hold Freon.  I replaced this coil less than 6 months ago.  Has anyone else had a similar problem?  What did you do?  Is there a way to make a property "vandal proof" or should I cut my losses and sell the property.  Thanks in advance for your feedback and help. 

[David Dachtera]

@Randa C.,

"Vandal proof"? No such thing. Someone hell bent on doing damage will find a way. It might even be a drunk / intoxicated tenant taking his monetary frustrations out on the landlord.

However, you can ask your HVAC contractor about cages and other options to protect the condensing unit (the outdoor part).