Keep your rental property secure

As house prices increase and more people are finding it difficult to get on the property ladder, there has been an increase in people needing rented accommodation. 

If you’re in a position to own a rental property it can come with many benefits. Not only can you provide a home to someone who requires it, but it’s also an effective method of getting an income. 

One thing to consider if you do decide to purchase a rental property is security. It’s important to protect the property when left vacant and create somewhere your tenants feel safe to live. 

So, what can you to do to ensure your rental property is protected from potential break-ins? The security specialists at Yale have shared their expert advice on how to keep your rental property secure and keep your tenants feeling protected. 

Front door first 

When thinking about the security of your property, it’s good to start at the front entrance. 

With many burglaries taking place via access through the front door, maintaining a high level of front door security is essential for a secure home. 

Firstly, if your doors suffer from ‘floppy handles’, this is a sign that they need replacing. A loose handle means that the mechanism has been compromised and is a sure sign to opportunistic burglars that security measures on the property aren’t maintained. 

When changing tenants or renting out for the first time, it’s important to consider the number of previous owners who might have a spare key. To ensure you and your new tenants have peace of mind, we would suggest changing the locks. It’s a quick and easy task that could help to prevent any unwanted visitors to the property. When choosing your lock, we highly recommend choosing one which meets the highest level of security standards. 

If you’re looking for locking system where you don’t have to worry about spare and lost keys, a smart door lock is the ideal upgrade. Not only does a smart lock provide a high level of protection, but it will also let you grant keys to tenants and take them away all through your smartphone, so you no longer have to worry about who has the keys to your rental property.  

Set the Alarm 

If you don’t live in the property, you might think there’s no need to have a security alarm system in place. However, having a trusted alarm system installed will give you and your tenants peace of mind that your rental property is protected.  

A high-quality, secure alarm is a must have for all year-round security protection and having a bell box on the outside can help to deter any unwanted visitors. The benefit of a smart security alarm is that it will let you monitor the property from anywhere, at any time. 

Maintenance is key

The appearance of a property can give signals to potential burglars as to whether it is lived in and well looked after, or if its left empty. A property which isn’t well maintained could signal no one lives there or that the security measures aren’t up to scratch, making it an easy target. 

When the property is empty, we recommend visiting it often or having someone who can visit on a regular basis.

Collecting any mail, maintaining the garden and any outdoor space, and fixing any damages will help to keep the property looking well looked after and lived in. 

When tenants are in, it’s essential to still maintain the upkeep of the property. So, it’s important to come to an agreement with the tenants as to what responsibilities lies with who, so the property is well maintained. 

Keep an eye on it 

Installing a camera at the front of the property or back of the property lets you and your tenants keep a check on any unusual activity. 

Having a smart outdoor security camera, which lets you check footage and receive notification alerts on your smartphone, means you can keep a check on your property from anywhere. 

To discover more information on how to protect your rental property and have create a secure home, view our range of security solutions here yalehome.com