How To Keep Your Rental Property Secure
Whether you’re a landlord or a letting agent, keeping your property safe and secure should be one of your main priorities. It’s a sad fact that property crime is on the rise right across the United Kingdom, and that can cost you time and money, as well as leading to higher insurance premiums. When it comes to burglaries and property crime, prevention is better than cure, which is why we’ve put together this guide to the steps that you can take today to make your rental property more secure. We can’t guarantee that it will stop a burglary, but it will certainly make it more difficult for criminals.
High-Quality CCTV
A high-quality CCTV system is a must for both domestic and commercial properties, and they provide both a visible deterrent to potential burglars as well as being an important and effective way to gather evidence if your property is broken into. CCTV installation from leading experts such as ACCL (who have 25+ years of experience) is a quick and pain-free experience, and your CCTV installers can also help you find the optimal spots on your property in which to locate the security cameras. Modern CCTV cameras have come a long way from what you may be used to, and they now provide clear, high definition pictures, even if they have been captured at night time or in poor lighting conditions.
Utilise The Latest Technology
Professional criminals don’t stand still, they’re always on the lookout for the latest technology that can help them take what’s rightfully yours, so you should be ready to use the latest security technology to fight back. When it comes to CCTV installation you now have the option of having WIFI or 4G connected cameras, meaning that they don’t have to be hard wired, and they can even use laser or microwave connectivity. You can also monitor the CCTV pictures wherever you are, at any time you like using a secure connection on a laptop or mobile phone, giving you peace of mind whenever you need it.
Visible Burglar Alarms
Burglar alarms provide an audible signal if a property is broken into, which can prevent would-be criminals from entering further into the home, but they can do much more than that too. One of the great advantages of a modern burglar alarm system is that they are highly visible, and this in itself can be enough to prevent would-be thieves from selecting your to let property as a potential target. Burglars always look for easy targets where they run less risk of being caught in the act, so a visible burglar alarm can be enough to make them pass your property by and seek out a house that offers easier access.
Create A Secure Impression
Professional burglars will often inspect a number of properties on several occasions before deciding which one to make their target, but understanding what they’re looking for, and taking appropriate preventative measures, can make it much less likely that your property will be burgled. As a letting agent, it’s vital that you keep the property well-maintained at all times, but it can be just as important for it to look lived in or cared for as well. Regular visits to the property will give anyone watching the building the impression that it’s lived in, and you can also then look for signs that the property has been receiving unwanted attention. Make sure that security measures are highly visible, whether that’s CCTV cameras, burglar alarms or both, and if the property is in a neighbourhood watch area then place a sign announcing this in a prominent position.
Improve Your Locks
We all like to think that our doors and windows are secure, but they are often far weaker than we think, and that’s an open invitation to a professional burglar. They know how to pick simple locks in a matter of seconds, so it’s vital that you use the latest lock technology and the highest quality locks. All doors should have deadlock bolt locks on them, and windows should also be double glazed, and therefore harder to smash, with locks in place. Expert advice on locks and home security is available from The Master Locksmith’s Association, and as a letting agent or landlord, you should be prepared to act on their recommendations.
Burglars are always on the lookout for the easy option, so don’t let it be a property that you are hoping to let out. Because they aren’t always occupied, rental properties can be a popular target, but you can counter this through burglar alarm and CCTV installation, as well as by having high quality locking systems in place and ensuring that the property looks secure and cared for. Taking these steps will not only reduce the risk of a break in, it can also increase the value of the property and make it more attractive to potential tenants.
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