First-time landlords and experienced ones should ensure that their properties are safe and secure. Security can preserve your investment and assure your tenants good security. Burglary of properties happens to hundreds of thousands of homes annually. In 2023, for example, approximately 250.7 cases per 100,000 of the population in the United States were reported as bulgary.
Crime statistics indicate that a house lacking basic security measures (such as locks, motion alarms, or surveillance cameras) is more prone to intrusion. Even some basic measures can have a tremendous effect: most burglars will move on to find other houses that are less secure.
7 Important Steps Landlords Can Take to Make Their Rental Property Safe
This article outlines seven pragmatic steps that any landlord can take, which are straightforward yet effective in ensuring the safety of rental properties.
1. Fit Good Locks and Solid Doors
A solid door and lock are the first line of defense. The outer doors must be solid concrete or metal doors, not hollow. Install good-quality deadbolts on all entry doors. (A deadbolt is posted, and the bolt slides inside the frame of the door, making it far more difficult to kick in than a spring-type lock is.)
Normal, cheap locks would be easily picked or forced open by the thieves. Security specialists suggest replacing them with locks of a higher security rating (such as Deadbolts with the Medeco brand) that cannot be picked or drilled.
The key advantage of these harder locks is that the reduced incidence of break-ins offsets the higher price. A smart landlord will also provide a peephole or doorbell camera to identify who is outside the door.
To be on the safe side, you could install a strike plate reinforcement (a metal plate that envelops the bolt within the frame), or you can fit a security door bar to prevent forced entry. Simply put: turn the door itself into a barrier rather than just a typical door.
2. Rekeying Locks Between Tenants
Whenever a tenant moves out, rekey the locks before the next person moves in. Rekeying involves rearranging the internal pins of the lock cylinder, which prevents old keys from being used. This is the simplest option, ensuring that any keys lost or copied by the last tenant can no longer open the door.
According to experts, rekeying eliminates the problems associated with lost or duplicate keys and provides security through exclusive access for authorized persons. In reality, vacant rentals are reported to be open to criminal mischief and burglary in the absence of any form of security, and the principal should rekey exterior doors when a tenant vacates premises.
For optimal results, consider outsourcing locksmith services. It is fast, and the job is properly done by a locksmith who can not only do it more cheaply than replacing the entire lock mechanism. They will give you a fresh set of keys for the new tenant.
If you have many units, consider a master key system. This way, you (or maintenance personnel) can open the doors of multiple units with one key, while tenants can only access their own units.
3. Hire Locksmiths for Lockouts and Lock Upgrades
Security also includes using the services of a good locksmith. Connect with a local locksmith that provides 24/7 emergency service. When you need to have a tenant unlocked in the middle of the night, when a lock has been broken, you need someone to arrive immediately.
Numerous locksmith firms offer emergency assistance for breaking in, and thus have a number nearby (and may distribute it among tenants). A local locksmith will also help you re-advise on door hardware improvements (such as smart locks or stronger frames) and install them.
4. Light Up the Property
Darkness allows the trespassers an opportunity to conceal themselves. Outdoor lighting helps to ensure that a burglar does not creep silently. Provide external lighting systems such as doors, walkways, patios, and car parks.
Floodlights that activate by motion are also quite useful, as they reveal and deter trespassers. Any bushes or trees that are along the entry points should be trimmed.
Shrubs or high fences that might form hiding places should be trimmed down; then an intruder is apt to be seen. Burglars tend to target less attractive properties that are well-lit and have open access.
5. Keyless Entry and Smart Locks
There are newer gadgets beyond locks that are made using modern technology. Smart locks are a type of lock that operates without a physical key, but instead uses an electronic key or a smartphone application.
A tenant can open the door by typing in a PIN on a keypad or by swiping a phone application. Smart locks also enable remote management of codes, allowing landlords to change codes or cancel access to a key for any location without needing to visit in person.
6. Alarm Systems and Surveillance Cameras
A visible security camera cannot be a strong enough deterrent. Placing surveillance cameras near entry points, the car park, and other gathering points will be beneficial in two aspects: it will deter burglars who intend to commit a crime, and it will also provide evidence in case of a break-in.
In modern times, cameras on your phone may have the capability to record and send real-time notifications about motions or movements upon detection.
Although you may not watch the footage every day, the installation of cameras in general, as well as the installation of fake or dummy cameras, can decrease crime.
Secondly, one of the experts mentions that tenants appreciate the enhanced safety that the cameras offer, and, like second-hand dealers, they are likely to find another target.
7. Be Prepared for Emergencies
Despite all the measures, there is a risk of lockouts or break-ins. You need to be ready to move quickly. Storing spare keys in a lockbox (or with a trusted person) will be very important should a tenant lose their keys.
Keep a list of emergency contacts printed out, including the police, fire department, your repairman/maintenance contacts, and the locksmith. Have a locksmith number available round the clock so that you can respond to tenant lockouts, dropped keys, or jammed keys at any hour.
Bonus Tip to Keep Rental Property Secure for Landlords
In the event of theft or vandalism, save any evidence (do not touch the area), call the police, and, if available, install your camera footage. The insurance should also have insurance as a backup.
The property owner frequently mandates the belongings insurance as part of a break or damage property insurance policy, which is often provided to them by landlords who expect the tenant to own renters insurance.
Although this is something you hope never to use, insurance helps give you the confidence that a security breach will not bankrupt you.
Conclusion
In any case, consider property security as a multidimensional solution: locks, lights, cameras, and communication. Research indicates that households without security systems are burglarized multiple times.
In comparison, even visible steps taken towards security result in burglars aiming at a different target. In the case of landlords, the only aim is to eliminate simple chances. A secured rental means reduced crime rates, content tenants, and improved investment.
