We are often contacted by landlords, estate agents, and tenants regarding property security, and there is always misunderstanding about how to safeguard the property without spending an arm and a leg and use the solutions despite tenants and maybe estate agents changing as well. We have years of expertise working on behalf of landlords, estate agents, and tenants who want to safeguard their homes and provide moving solutions. The following are our major takeaways for all rented properties.

1) Door and Window Locks

Doors and windows are the most common access and exit points in domestic burglaries. In fact, burglars have been known to force entry through a door or a window to gain access to a property. Make sure you have high-quality, hard-to-break windows and locks installed throughout your home.

Deadbolts are among the most secured locks you can use on your property. These locks involve a one-of-a-kind mechanism that provides the best protection against burglaries or break-ins. It is usually a good idea to put locks on all of your windows.

Also, make sure to use window blinds to prevent intruders from peeping into your home. Make it a point to do it at every entry and exit point to make it impossible for the burglar to get in.

You can also use smart locks that are operated through a digital code and is only accessible to those who have access to them. You can improve security by changing the password regularly.

2) Install an Alarm System

Burglar or Security alarms are an excellent way to protect your property. These alarms are designed to trigger a loud siren and alert the user when there is a break-in. Burglar alarms are paired with motion sensors that detect unauthorised movement and communicate to the control panel and trigger the alert.

Burglar alarms can have different features and specifications that allow you to protect your home in a better way. The main categories you can look at are:

  • Remote monitoring through your smartphone app. You can sync your smartphone with your system, and you can control, manage, and monitor your alarm from your phone remotely.
  • 3rd party monitoring is where your house is being monitored by a third party or police authority and if there were an alert, they would instantly take an action. Highly recommended for commercial or high-value properties.
  • The call-alert feature allows your system to call you on your phone when the alarm is triggered. In this case, your system uses your landline or a GSM connection to communicate to your phone in case of an emergency.
  • Smart alarm with home automation capabilities that connects to your other smart devices like voice assistant devices or smart appliances and allow you to automate the task for enhanced safety and security within your home.

New tenants generally look at the properties more favorably, if they have good quality security systems installed. All our alarms on service plans get annual service visits, unlimited remote support for tenants and property managers if there is an issue and we deal with seamless transfer of alarm user ownership from one tenant to another when they move. The landlord does not have to deal with any of these issues and in fact, most landlords pass the service charges on to tenants.

3) Security lights

This is another security measure that landlords should invest in to improve house security. We all know that most burglars will wait until the night to get into your home undetected. When burglars try to approach the property, security lights such as motion sensors and floodlights have a startling effect on burglars. It is ideal to strategically place them around your property so that if someone tries to break in at night, it will scare the burglars and notify the neighbours and the homeowner that someone is trying to approach their house. You can position them in front of your entrance gate, backyard, or near your garage to deter anyone from attempting a forced entry through these areas.

4) Safeguard your Backyard or Garden

The backyard door or the garden is another area of your property you need to protect from any kind of intrusion. In some of the cases, burglars break in through the backyard door or garden. If you have a garden on your property, make sure you have put a fence around it and the door is lockable. Make sure you are trimming the shrubs and grasses around your garden. Sometimes, burglars hide behind these long bushes and wait for the right opportunity to attack. Don’t make it easier for burglars to target your property. Also, make sure you are using motion sensors at your backdoor.

5) Take appropriate measures when the property is not rented

If you’ve rented out your apartment, be sure you’re taking the necessary precautions when it’s empty. It is ideal to have a security system in place so that you can receive instant notifications if anyone tries to break in. The most vulnerable properties are those that are vacant. Burglars target properties that are empty and have no trace of tenants. It becomes simple for them to break in and finish the work without being interrupted. If the property is furnished, it may be a red flag if it is not professionally secured.

6) Check your Insurance Policy

Make sure you understand your insurance policy. People frequently fail to consult with their insurer about the implications of theft and burglary on their insurance policy. For instance, insurance companies do insist on taking effective security measures like installing a professional security system. They do not recommend DIY security systems as they are not British 2 or 3 graded systems. Also, ask your tenant that your building insurance doesn’t cover their belongings and they need to ensure their belongings with appropriate content insurance.

7) Use a CCTV system

A home camera system is another great way to take charge of your home security. It helps you keep an eye on your home and allows you to track who is accessing your property. There is a wide range of camera systems available for residential properties for internal and external use. Choose a plug-and-play camera with a smart app for indoors and, if possible, two-way audio with pan and tilt capabilities. We would recommend a professionally installed and fully customised CCTV solution for the outdoors, such as FHA ones. Remember that CCTV that does not provide local recording and relies on your broadband connection is not as reliable as CCTV with local hard-drive recording. A professionally installed CCTV system is a one-time cost solution that will rarely require additional maintenance and will provide complete protection. When possible, choose products that are secure by design and secure by default.

8) Change the locks once before the new tenants come

When you rent out your flat to multiple tenants, your property becomes more vulnerable. That means you must be extra cautious because you have no idea who is accessing your house. The best approach is to change your locks and keys before renting your property to a new renter. It is strongly suggested if you have a difficult tenant or someone you do not trust. You never know if they still have keys to your apartment and may try to get into it later.

Summary

We are a security installer who works with a variety of security systems that are customised to each property. If you are a homeowner who wants to protect your property, please contact us. We can provide a free phone consultation or a free property survey of your property. Please call us at 020 3137 8727 or 0800 193 8727 or send an email to hello@fhasecurity.co.uk.