3 Tell-Tale Signs Your Rental Has Electrical Problems (And What to Do)
“With great power comes great responsibility.”
An electrical problem can put both landlords and tenants at risk. So, if you’re a rental investor, you need to ensure that you have a safe rental property to avoid any potential accidents or legal issues.
Unfortunately, many landlords fail to recognize the signs until it’s too late. To safeguard your tenants and yourself from danger—such as electric shocks or fires—make sure you know how to spot any potential electrical problems in your properties before they become bigger issues.
The Most Common Signs of Electrical Issues in Homes
You have to familiarize yourself with some of the most common signs of an electrical problem to catch it as soon as possible. So, here are some electrical issues to look out for.
#1 Flickering Lights
Flickering lights can cause a headache literally and figuratively.
It’s also a sign that your electrical system is overloaded. The flickering is caused by excess power being drawn from the electrical system.
This can be dangerous if left unchecked, as it could lead to a fire or complete system failure. So, the best solution is to call in a professional to inspect your electrical system and make any necessary repairs before it’s too late.
You may either need an upgrade or install new electrical circuits altogether.
#2 Unexplainable Burning Smell
When you catch a whiff of something burning, your first instinct might be to look for a source of smoke or fire. However, if the smell seems to be coming from an outlet or switch, you have a different problem on your hands—and it’s one that requires immediate attention.
A burning odor in these areas can result in a few issues—damaged wiring, circuit board overload, fire in the outlet box, etc.
The best and quickest thing you can do is shut off the power supply to that outlet.
#3 Unusual Noises
If you plug something into the electrical outlet and hear a noise, that’s not normal. You must immediately check that out because this is another sign of damaged or old wiring.
Ignoring these sounds could lead to potential fires or electrical shocks down the line.
While it may be tempting to ignore these noises or try to fix them yourself, hiring a licensed electrician to evaluate the situation and replace any damaged wiring is important.
Ignoring these signs can lead to big accidents, but it’s unavoidable if you know what to look out for.
You Can’t Go Wrong With a Professional
These are just a few things to look out for to spot electrical problems easily. It might be tempting to save some money and fix it yourself.
But electrical is one of the things, as a landlord, that you shouldn’t try to save money on.
If you see any of these signs, or tenants report them, contact a certi
Do you need help with your rental properties in Metro Detroit? Call us today and our team of experts is more than ready to give you a hand.