If only Smokey the Bear hung out in people’s homes during fire prevention month when he’s not chilling in the forest, a lot of mayhem could be avoided. On the other hand, a bear in the house isn’t that great an idea either. That, and a single month for fire prevention? Seem, oh, I don’t know, 11 months shy?!?

It’s Everywhere, All the Time

Whether you own a property, several properties, land, or rent a property, fire awareness, and fire prevention, ought to be right about the top of your list of concerns. Think about it, the news is rife with natural disasters all the time, all over the world, yet we, as humans, always see these things as “them” versus us. That simply is not true. It CAN be you.

As a topic

Now, fire prevention is a rather dry topic. You rarely see folks gathered around in a burger joint discussing this topic in earnest. Firefighters, okay, you got me there, but not regular folks. Ever. As a matter of fact, it would not be ‘front of mind’ for me, either, as I’m a relatively normal person.  The jury’s still out on that, by the way. However, working in the insurance field for some time I got to see and learn that sometimes bad things happen, and an ounce of prevention, well, you know the rest.

It Starts Outside

I’m going to have to read up the on some refreshers here, my old insurance stuff, as I’m rusty on this, but I can pass some good info here anyway. Rules of thumb: if you have 20,000 or more square feet of brush near your home, you have a serious fire hazard on your hands. That’s roughly the size of a football field, including the end zones. Brush within 500 feet or less of your domicile? There’s an issue there. Fire hydrant over 500 feet from your house? Dry hydrant? No visible address on your house? Wood stacked against your house, brush in your back yard? All of these are issues. Oh, by the way, a dry hydrant is an unpressurized pipe that sticks out of the ground and taps into a water supply, like a nearby body of water, which the water must be sucked out of to be used, versus a pressurized fire hydrant. They are more common than you may think.

But wait, there’s more

Hey, lots of people have chimineas or fire pits, right? If you have one, your insurance rates are going to go up. They are a fire hazard.

Also, not pulling a permit when altering your property can have devastating consequences. We’ll touch on this some later.

Now let’s go inside

Most homes are built to a specific building code that is designed for safety, uniformity, as well as compliance with local laws. Building inspectors from the local government serve a purpose. They are trained to spot deficiencies in the building process, and this includes all of the things that kill you, like fire.

First, let’s touch on some commonsense items.

Should you smell natural gas, shut off the gas at your gas meter and call the gas company, stat! Don’t bother hunting the leak down, let a trained professional handle this.

Your smoke detectors are chirping, what to do? Erm, change the batteries? Am I being facetious? Nope. Let me explain.

Storytime:

My granddaughter has a lot of friends, but there are two she’s talking with all the time. One life down the block in a rental, (not one of ours), and every time I go there to retrieve her (Dinner time, time to come home!) I can hear the smoke detectors chirping inside. All of them. All the time. I have talked to the father, but he does not seem to think it’s of any importance.

The other friend she walks to school with. Each morning they get on the phone and talk about what they are wearing and stuff like that. And, each morning, my dogs cower. My dogs are scared to death of chirping smoke alarms. I have some weird dogs. Anyway, since both girls are on speakerphone, my dogs can hear a chirping smoke alarm at the other girl’s house. On the way home tonight, I’m picking up a pack of 9-volt batteries for my granddaughter to give to them.

Leading the Horse to Water but

However, I cannot make them put the batteries in, but at least they have that option. You see, in both cases, the smoke alarms are house-powered and interconnected, so these folks think all is well, despite the chirping. So, what happens in an electrical fire? Usually, the electrical panel fails, and those battery backup smoke detectors are running only off the batteries. But if the batteries are dead…

By the way, each hallway, meaning the downstairs and upstairs hall, and each bedroom ought to have a smoke detector. Nowadays they make smoke detectors that have 10-year batteries installed. If your smoke detectors are strictly house powered, old, painted over, damaged, do not sound, get rid of them, and upgrade to the new types!

Clothes Dryers Are Killers

That load of wash you’re sticking into the dryer does not give a hoot nor holler about fire prevention. It’s just a dumb, heavy machine, not like you, you’re smart. You regularly clean the lint trap before each load, and yearly (and no less than every three years) clean out the duct that runs to the outside, right? Oh, you don’t? You’re not the only one.

Cleaning the lint trap before every load is imperative! Equally, so is the regular cleaning of the ductwork. My brother-in-law got the most expensive free dryer ever a few years ago. On the first day of having it, he started a batch drying before going out to dinner. That dryer burnt down half the house.

Home depot has products that will help you clean that ductwork as part of your fire prevention routine!

Santa’s Main Entry

When was the last time you cleaned the inside of your wood-burning fireplace chimney? Three years or more? Call a chimney sweep, you know, like the guy from Mary Poppins. You may think chimney sweeps are outdated and long gone, but you would be mistaken. They are still around and serve an important function. That creosote buildup going up your fireplace can ignite! What Is Creosote?

That Pot Belly in the Corner

Wood-burning stoves are an anachronism. Unless you live in the mountains, or out in the sticks, you may have never even seen one up close and personal. They provide a lot of heat, and they have their own special charm. And they are dangerous.

A good rule of thumb is to keep said stove 36 inches or more away from anything combustible. Almost all wood-burning stoves made since the 1970s have data plates or stickers that inform you, the end-user, the proper distances for each model. If you’re considering buying one, let a qualified and licensed/insured professional install it. Said pro would make sure the clearances are correct and will install a proper sleeve in the ceiling or wall where the vent pipe will exit. Also, you want to make sure there is nonflammable flooring beneath the until extending to lea than 18 inches out from the fire door. Again, local ordinances vary, so check and do it right once.

That Big Beautiful Flat Spot

This happens all the time: You take something into the garage to store, and “dang it, where am I going to set this down at?” You spot that area right near the water heater or furnace; it’s open, it’s flat, bingo! Hold on there, Charlie! (Sorry if your name is Charlie, by the way). Keep at least 36 inches around the water heater and furnace free of any combustible items! 7% of household fires start right here, and 4% of household fire deaths.

Now You’re Cooking

If you’re leaving the kitchen for any length of time, turn your kitchen burners off! I have walked out of the kitchen many times and gotten distracted by something and burned the life out of dinner.

Also, if you have a grease fire, do NOT try to out it out with water! I almost did this once and was lucky not to have burned down the house. My wife grabbed my shoulder, yelling something to the effect of “Hey, stupid, what are doing!!?!” She grabbed some flour and doused the flames. Yes, the cleanup was a mess, but it would have been worse had I did that thing. Grease fires happen. Don’t make it worse!

The Match Game

My son, he’s really something. I’m very proud of how he turned out. It was dicey there for a bit. He LOVED to play with matches when he was little. He lit a recliner on fire once, and a large stack of newspapers in the side of the garage another time.

Do yourself a favor and put matches away somewhere high and safe. You can take fire prevention seriously, but kids, they don’t, not so much. I was that little goofball who’d a light paper on fire with a magnifying glass.

Heat That Space

But use the furnace the house came with. Space heaters are big business, and they are dangerous! As an insurance inspector, if I found a space heater in a home, and I was required to look, instant fail. Either the coverage rates would skyrocket, but more often than not, the policy was at risk for cancelation. “But mine shuts off if it’s tipped over!” Well, it’s designed to, but that does not mean it will every time.

The Panel

This tidbit is the most expensive fix. Electricity is no joke. It will shock you to death, but it can also cause fires! Here’s something people rarely think about: If you have ever muttered to yourself “Dagnabit, the breaker clicked off again!”, you’re probably asking that particular circuit to provide more juice than it can provide. You see, when a breaker is new, it is rated at a certain amperage. That 15-amp breaker, when it’s new, permits 15 amps to pass to the lines in the home, but over time that amperage drops. Corrosion, wear, and that bane of all us now living, time takes its toll. On the other hand, if you’re plugging in an appliance that draws, say, 20 amps, into a line rated at 15 amps, you’re asking for problems.

What happens at the wires in the walls is called resistance, and resistance creates heat. Enough and the wire will melt, and can also, potentially, catch fire. Check your appliance first; its amp draw should be on its plate or sticker.

More on the Panel

Your house, if built before 1980 or so (and I have seen this in as later as 1990 builds), may have a dangerous electrical panel. For example, Federal Pacific panels tend to nut trip breakers when overloaded, and fires result. Zinsco panels tend to have their breakers melt when overloaded. Zinsco panels can be labeled simply Zinsco, Sylvania Zinsco, or GTE Sylvania Zinsco. Both of these dangerous panels are very distinctive looking. However, I have seen folks remove the labeling, even going so far as to fabricate custom door-covers so that, unless you open the cover, you would not know you’re dealing with a naughty box.

If you’re in doubt, Google the above product names and you’ll see, 1) why I bring this up, and 2) images that will show you what to look for. You’ll spend 2 to 4 grand to replace the panel, but aren’t you and your family worth at least that?

Permits, as Promised

Okay, see it was not an empty promise. Building permits are important for several reasons. For starters, if significantly altering your house, it’s the law. Many people skirt this though, and when it comes time to sell your house, you may not qualify for a buyer using FHA financing. That can stall, or even kill your sale. But here is a more compelling reason:

If the code enforcement-building inspector-permit person signs off on it, you’re pretty much golden. That professional eye is detail-oriented. What does that have to do with fire prevention? Well, they know that aluminum Romex (a type of wiring) is a no-no. They know that the Zinsco electrical box your handyman scored at a garage sale is a no-no. They know the proper tolerances of specific items.

Don’t be a permit pariah.

The Rap Wrap

There are so many other things I can list, but my best advice? Use common sense. Use licensed/insured contractors always. Always err on the side of caution. Do it right.

As Smokey the Bear might say, only you can prevent (forest) fires. I would add to that; fire prevention is everyone’s job.

Today is the day you move into your new home! Before you can do that, you have to sign your rental agreement or lease and get the keys to your home.  A rental agreement is legally binding, and its purpose is to protect both the resident and the owner and/or property management company. Let’s be real here for a moment, reading and signing lengthy documents is boring. However, it is a necessary evil that must be done.

In Management One, we try to make the process smooth and painless, fun even, for our clients. We throw a “Welcome Party” complete with balloons, gifts, and we even have your name on all eight jumbo TV screens in our office. Residents can review the entire agreement via email from the comfort of their own home before signing in our office. By emailing the agreement ahead of time, our new residents can review it without us looking over their shoulders. On the actual day of signing, I walk the residents through the lease/rental agreement and “review” the most important parts.

Knowing the information that is in your lease/rental agreement is very important. Over the next few minutes, I will share with you the top 10 items; you should pay close attention to in the lease/rental agreement you are about to sign. There is nothing worse than finding yourself in a situation and hearing the dreaded words “well, you should have read the fine print.”

Important sections to review before you sign any lease/rental agreement

1. Lease Term, Renewal, and Termination

Generally, a standard lease is for a 12-month period. The lease term can vary depending on the owner, landlord, and/or property management company. Make sure the start date and end date are correct, especially if you made special arrangements for a different rental term.

As your lease term comes to an end, it is common to get notice 30 or 60 days before renewal of your lease. Typically, you will have two options, renew the lease for another year or go month to month. If no notice is given, the lease expires and/or becomes month-to-month automatically, which most commonly results in a larger increase in rent.  Compared to, if you signed another one-year lease then the rent rate would be less.  Typically, the owner, landlord, or property management company will charge a lesser rent amount if they know the property will be occupied for another year. Occasionally, the lease may even automatically renew for another year, leaving you locked in at a potentially higher price. Your landlord or property management company must give you notice in advance if they are going to raise the rent for the new lease period.  Usually, that requires at least a 30-day notice.

Most lease terms require at least a 30-day notice in writing if you plan to vacate the property. You may be charged additional rent if you fail to proved proper notice.

Again, READ your lease carefully so you will be fully aware of all the details and terms of the agreement.

2. Paying Rent and Grace Period

Next, to the information found in item #1, this is very important to know. It can be very costly if you’re late on your rent and it can even affect your rental history. Your agreement will indicate the date rent is due and how payment is to be made (cashier’s check, personal check, online, etc.). The grace period is how many days you have after the due date to pay the rent without being charged a late fee. If you don’t pay rent by the end of the grace period, late fees will be assessed. Late fees calculations vary. Some fees can be a percentage of the rent plus posting fees or can be a flat fee. The late fees can add up quickly, just one day late can set you back nearly $100-$200 depending on how the fees are calculated. I am sure we can all think of better things to do with a $100-$200!

3. Security Deposit

Depending on where you live, security deposits can be as much as two times the amount of one month’s rent for unfurnished properties and up to 3 times the rent for furnished properties. Usually ranges from 100% – 135% of one month’s rent. With some landlords and property management companies, it can vary depending on your credit history.  If you happen to have a low or poor credit score, a landlord might ask you for two months of rent.

When will your security deposit be returned after move-out? A lease will state the time frame for security deposit refunds.  Depending on where you live the return date can be anywhere from 21 days to 31 days. Check with your local laws to see what applies in your area. Keep in mind; you must meet your obligations – pay rent, vacating the property on time, and return the property in good condition.

4. Remodeling Restrictions

Most lease agreements indicate that you are not allowed to paint rooms or remodel any part of the home. Other times, you will be required to get the landlord’s permission before making any changes. Painting a room might seem like no big deal, but if you spill paint on the carpet, paint over light sockets, or don’t mask off the ceiling with painter’s tape now you are going to be responsible for correcting that. If you do make changes to the property without their consent, they can and will use your security deposit to pay for any costs to return the property to its original condition.

5. The Pet Policy

If you have a pet, expect to pay either a one-time charge or a monthly pet rent in addition to your monthly rent and in some cases a combination of both. There can also be restrictions as to the type of animal, breed, and size.  Of course, any service animal is exempt under Fair Housing Laws. If you are moving in without a pet and decide to add one later, be sure to know if the landlord allows pets. The last thing you want to do is get a pet and find out that you can’t have one. More than likely, you will have to remove the pet.

6. Renters Insurance

Nowadays, most management companies and apartment complexes require renters insurance. And even if they don’t, it’s in your best interest to carry a policy. You can get a decent policy from most insurance companies that offer car insurance. Companies such as Lemonade, Farmers, or even State Farm. Many leases require that residents acquire and keep renter’s insurance for the term of your lease.  Even if your landlord or property management company does not require renters insurance, you should consider purchasing a policy. Having renter’s insurance can protect you if there is a fire, robbery or another emergency.

True Story: In earlier 2018 we made it mandatory for all residents to obtain and maintain a renter’s insurance policy. Shortly after we instituted this policy, a resident had a major flood in their garage for the water heater leaking. He called to thank us for requiring him to obtain the policy. You see if he didn’t have the policy all the damage caused to his personal belongings that were in the garage would have been a total loss. The homeowner’s policy will only cover the building and not the personal belongings of the resident. For the cost of two Starbucks coffees a month, you can have a renter’s insurance coverage. It’s worth the investment.

7. Access to the Premises

Read this section closely and if this section is not in your lease/rental agreement ask for clarification. Some private Landlords believe that since they own the property, they can enter at any time. And legally, that is not true. Most states require at least a 24-hour notice before entering the property. Landlords and property management companies can check the property condition. They are also allowed to show the property to prospective residents if you have decided not to renew your lease as long as it is outlined in your agreement that the landlord can show the property.

8. Resident Responsibilities

Besides paying rent on time and keeping the property in good condition, your rental agreement should also state other responsibilities of the residents. Examples of resident responsibilities might include lawn care and maintenance, pool care, utilities, parking locations, pet policy, compliance with laws, etc. Read your lease agreement.

9. What is Covered by Owner

Your rental agreement will also state what items are covered by the owner – lawn service, pool service, utilities, or appliances that will cover. Such as “owner pays for lawn service” or “owner will warranty washer & dryer.” You will want to make sure to pay attention to these details.

10. Repairs

Your rental agreement should have a maintenance and repairs section. A maintenance section will tell you what is expected of you as a resident as well as maintenance procedures. Remember you are renting a used home. Things are going to need maintenance and repair occasionally. Any reputable owner, landlord, or property management company will take care of situations as they arise. However, maintaining the home and using the premises in the way it was designed and intended to will help keep maintenance and repairs down.

Before moving in, you will want to make sure what work – if any – has been completed before you take possession of the property.

Rental Agreements Vary

One reason leases are so detailed is because landlord/resident laws can be different for each state.  A resident has many protections, but because the lease is prepared by the owner, landlord, or property management company, most of the terms will be favorable to them. So, to protect yourself, READ YOUR LEASE AGREEMENT BEFORE SIGNING. It’s also important that you know the laws in your state and your specific County. You can contact your local Fair Housing Office for more information regarding the laws in your area.

Moving out of a rental property—the place you’ve called home for the past year or more—can be both exciting and overwhelming. Between securing your next residence, coordinating your move, and handling the many details involved, it’s understandable to feel a bit stressed.

Amid all the planning, one important question often comes to mind: Will I receive my full security deposit back?

Having a clear understanding of the move-out process can make all the difference. While inspection standards may vary slightly between property management companies, there are common expectations you can prepare for. It’s also important to be aware that state laws differ on what landlords can legally deduct from a security deposit, so it’s essential to understand your rights and responsibilities as a tenant.

Having conducted thousands of move-out inspections over the past four decades, many well-intentioned residents make the same costly mistakes, often to maximize their deposit return. While getting your full deposit back is possible, the small details are often overlooked. These small oversights can quickly add up, leading to unexpected deductions—and plenty of frustration—when that final deposit statement arrives in your mailbox.

You may have spent countless hours scrubbing, patching, and repainting, only to feel blindsided by the results. We get it—sometimes, even the best intentions fall short.

But the good news is that with some preparation and insight, you can avoid the common pitfalls and leave your home on the best possible terms.

6 Things You Should Know When Moving Out

1. Cleaning:

Understandably, everyone has a different standard of cleanliness. We often hear comments like, “I spent hours cleaning the house from top to bottom—how could there still be anything left to clean?”

The reality is that certain areas are commonly overlooked during move-out cleaning, including:

• Window sills and ledges
• Stove hood filters
• Windows
• Ceiling fans
• The area beneath and around the stove burners
• Blinds

When the costs of addressing each missed item individually are added up, it’s often more efficient and cost-effective to hire a professional cleaning service and charge for it.

We strongly recommend that you do not clean the home yourself. If your property management company offers the option of deducting cleaning from your deposit, it’s often the most practical and efficient choice. Your time and energy are valuable—and likely better spent on your move.

At Management One, we provide a comprehensive cleaning service, including carpet cleaning, priced between $545 and $875, depending on the size of your home. While getting your full deposit back may seem more appealing, most residents end up spending a similar amount (or more) by handling it themselves and hiring separate vendors.

Discover What It Takes to Thoroughly Clean Your Rental Property.

Download your cleaning checklist today.

2. Painting

Thinking of Painting Before You Move Out? Read This First

We appreciate your effort to leave the home in good condition, but we recommend not painting the walls yourself. Even with the best intentions, mismatched colors or uneven finishes can result in additional costs.

If you’ve lived in the home for over two years, repainting is typically considered normal wear and tear. Under California law, it is usually the owner’s responsibility—unless the walls were damaged or painted a different color without approval.

When in doubt, feel free to reach out. We’re here to help make your move-out process as smooth as possible.

A Real-Life Example

Recently, a resident moved out after three years and tried to patch the walls by painting over them. Unfortunately, the paint color didn’t match, and the uneven finish required a full repaint. This well-intentioned effort ultimately cost the resident $1,000.

Had they left the walls untouched, the painting would have been considered normal wear and tear, and the cost would have been the landlord’s responsibility under California law.

3. Pictures

Most people enjoy personalizing their homes with pictures, and understandably so. A great tip is to use Command Strips with adhesive and Velcro backing, which make hanging and removing pictures quick and damage-free. If you used nails, don’t worry. Carefully remove them with needle-nose pliers to minimize damage to the wall. However, we recommend not patching the holes yourself, as DIY fixes often need to be redone professionally, potentially costing more in the long run.

4. Landscaping

The exterior of the home is often overlooked during the chaos of moving. Before turning in your keys, take a moment to tidy up the yard—clear out weeds and debris from flower beds, mow the lawn, rake any leaves, and ensure that all sprinklers are functioning properly. A well-maintained exterior leaves a positive final impression.

5. Personal Items

Be sure to remove all personal belongings from the home before returning your keys. Any items left behind may result in charges against your security deposit for removal. Take a final walkthrough—check the ceilings for leftover decorations, behind doors for forgotten toys, closets for stray items, and the garage for trash or last-minute boxes. A thorough check helps ensure a smooth move-out process.

6. Trash Cans

One of the most commonly overlooked tasks when moving out is emptying the trash cans. Last-minute trash often gets left behind, but no one wants to move into a home with full bins. Be sure to empty all trash cans before leaving. If pickup is scheduled after your move-out date, consider asking a neighbor to set them out for you. Any trash left behind will be removed and charged to your account.

Following these simple tips can help reduce stress and save time during your move. Check with your management company to see if they offer a cleaning checklist or professional cleaning services—taking advantage of these options can make the process much smoother.

If you are a Management One resident and would like a cleaning checklist, just click here!