Our Top Tips For Rental Property Security Systems To Protect Your Home
Ensuring your home is safe is a vital process, regardless of where you live or the kind of property you reside in. Whether you own or rent your home, security needs to be a main concern as this can determine how safe your loved ones are at all times.
As a tenant or landlord, rental security needs to be one of your main priorities, as this determines whether where you are living is suitable for your family or not.
Rental security doesn’t rest solely on the shoulders of either the tenant or the landlord, as it is a shared responsibility between the two. Both the owner of the property and the people currently living in it have a responsibility for rental security and need to take their own actions to protect people and assets under this roof.
No matter where you live, it is essential to secure your home against theft, damage, and unauthorised access as these are some of the biggest concerns for families and can seriously impact your life if left to chance.
Rental security often requires a combined effort from the current tenants and the landlord to ensure the standards of safety in this home are suitable. Rental security can be provided through security systems, professional installation, and constant vigilance.
At Nomico Fire & Security, we understand the crucial role of robust security systems for all homes, but especially rental properties across the region. Our specialist knowledge in alarms, CCTV, and other security solutions can provide peace of mind to every tenant and landlord.
In this guide, we are using our wealth of experience and passion for safety to highlight the most effective methods for rental security, no matter what kind of property you currently live in. We aim to help our clients enhance their home security, providing greater peace of mind and assurance that their home is truly a safe haven.
The Benefits Of Rental Security
To put it simply, rental security is crucial as it protects both lives and properties. A secure rental property not only safeguards tangible assets, such as electronics and household items but also contributes to tenant safety, satisfaction and retention.
By providing a safe environment, landlords increase the chances of long-term tenant occupancy and repeat customers because people know they will be safe in these properties. As a landlord, enhancing the rental security provided at your properties is a good way to protect your investment and ensure you are never out of tenants.
After all, a secure home is highly sought-after by everyone – whether you are buying or renting – and needs to be considered by both tenants and landlords.
How Effective is Your Rental Security?
If you are currently living in a rental property, now may be the perfect time to assess any existing security measures to ensure that your rental security is sufficient for your needs.
Rental security should protect your home and loved ones, but there may be some gaps in your current system which you are not aware of. The following process allows you to cover all areas of rental security so you can determine whether your current systems are up to scratch and provide the kind of protection you need.
Perimeter Rental Security
The perimeter of your property is the first line of defence for your home and its occupants. When assessing how effective this part of your rental security is, whether you are a tenant or landlord, you should focus on some key areas:
- Fencing and Walls: Make sure that all fences and walls are solid and intact to provide a firm barrier for your home. You may want to consider adding trellis or anti-climb paint to further deter intruders.
- Gates: Ensure that gates are lockable and in good condition to keep intruders at bay. Automatic gates can offer additional security and are incredibly convenient for most properties, so should be considered.
- Lighting: Outdoor lighting should cover all entry points and be triggered by movement to deter potential intruders.
Entry Points
Beyond your property’s perimeters, the home’s entry points are the next big targets for potential intruders and therefore need careful attention when it comes to rental security.
Entry points are often the easiest way to gain access to the property and therefore require solid security measures to protect occupants and assets. The entry points that should be checked include:
- Doors: All external doors should be sturdy and ideally fitted with a deadbolt lock. For added security, consider installing a peephole or a door chain.
- Windows: Windows should have secure locks to prevent them from being easily opened from the outside. Consider installing window bars or reinforced glass for ground-floor windows to limit damage and forced entry.
- Garage/Shed: These areas often hold valuable items, making them targets for burglars. If they are present in your property, make sure they are locked with sturdy, high-quality locks.
Assessing Current Security Systems
UK regulations require landlords to maintain the safety of their rental properties, which includes security.
With this in mind, various forms of rental security may already be preset at your property, such as locks. These are basic forms of security that should be present at all premises but can also be considered as a security system that has been provided by the landlord and needs to be evaluated for efficiency.
Locks are just one example of security systems present at many rental properties. Other security systems that may need to be assessed include:
- Alarm Systems: Firstly, check if there’s an alarm system installed, and if there is you now need to ensure it is operational and up-to-date. Consider upgrading to a monitored system for added protection.
- Surveillance Cameras: Check the location and functionality of surveillance cameras, if they are installed on the property. If cameras are present, ensure that they cover all vulnerable areas of the property, such as entry points. It is also important that any recorded footage can be accessed by tenants in case of emergencies.
- Intercom Systems and Access Control: In buildings with multiple tenants, intercom systems can control access and heighten security and should be installed for additional protection.
Through this assessment of your property’s current rental security measures, you will have a clear idea of any changes that may be needed to improve your safety.
How To Improve Rental Safety
Now that you have a clear idea of your current rental security, it’s time to consider some upgrades to provide additional protection to the home, occupants and their assets.
Many of these security upgrades should be handled by the landlord, as they own the property. However, if you already live in a rental property and want to increase your family’s security, you may be able to make some changes yourself. It is a good idea for tenants to discuss any changes they plan to make to the property with the landlord first.
While many security systems can be installed without altering the property, like surveillance cameras, other protective measures require additional construction, such as alarms or lighting, and therefore should not be implemented without the landlord’s consent.
Here are several ways to enhance rental security for better protection of the property and its occupants:
Install a Comprehensive Security System
Investing in a state-of-the-art security system is one of the most effective ways to safeguard a rental property. Many options are available for complete security systems at Nomico Fire & Security. We supply comprehensive systems and services, including installation and maintenance.
There are various benefits that security systems can provide and based on what you choose, you can experience all forms of protection including:
- 24/7 Monitoring: With round-the-clock monitoring, authorities can be altered immediately in cases of a security breach for a quicker reaction.
- Smart Home Integration: Systems can include smart home technology, allowing tenants to manage security features using their smartphones or other devices.
- Remote Access: Tenants can monitor their property remotely, providing peace of mind even when they are away.
At Nomico Fire & Security, we offer a wide range of security systems to cater to all needs and can help you enhance the security at your home.
Upgrade Locks and Hardware
Locks are one of the most practical tools for rental security and can be easily upgraded, no matter what kind of property you currently own or reside in.
Simply replacing old locks with high-security ones can considerably improve rental security at your home, and is a suitable upgrade for all types of rental properties.
For additional protection, or at premium properties, landlords may want to consider installing smart locks instead of traditional ones. Smart locks enable tenants to easily change codes, reducing the risk posed by lost keys and facilitating better property management.
Reinforce Doors and Windows
Adding security film to windows can prevent them from shattering upon impact, deterring forced entry attempts and protecting the property, even when it’s unoccupied.
Much like reinforcing the windows, it is a good idea to strengthen any external doors across the premises to limit intrusions and damage. For additional protection around these entry points, you can also consider adding door sensors or access control systems.
These limit the number of people who can enter the premises from the main entry point and are particularly useful for large apartments or flat blocks.
Improve Lighting and Landscaping
Well-lit properties often deter unwelcome visitors, as intruders like to act under the veil of darkness. This is why security lighting is such a valuable tool for all kinds of rental properties and should be implemented at your home.
There are various options for security lighting, with motion lighting being a solid choice. Motion-activated lights can confuse intruders and make it challenging for them to approach the property unnoticed, as they light up at any sign of activity on the premises. This can be an effective deterrent and limit the risk of intrusion or vandalism in most areas.
However, it is important to note that lighting will not be effective if there are other ways for intruders to hide. This is why to ensure effective lighting, you need a clear landscape.
Maintaining the exterior of your property, like trimming bushes and trees, is vital for rental security, as clear landscapes reduce possible hiding spots for trespassers. Without this ease of entry and lack of detection, having a clear and illuminated landscape can significantly reduce the likelihood of your home being targeted in the first place.
Communication and Awareness
As well as installing physical rental security measures, there are other ways that tenants and landlords can protect their properties. Community can be one of the most effective tools for rental security, which is why it is a good idea for landlords to encourage a culture where tenants report any security concerns or unusual incidents quickly.
Encouraging tenants to remain vigilant and to make it easy for them to report any security issues or concerns is vital for the continued protection of the property.
Likewise, tenants should be well informed about the security protocols of the property, including who to contact in case of a security breach or emergency. With this information, tenants can actively contribute to their own safety and the security of the property.
Top Rental Security Practices for Tenants
To foster a security-conscious culture, landlords need to provide constant support and advice to tenants about rental security. This includes sharing some of the most basic yet highly effective security practices tenants can adopt to better control their own safety.
As a tenant, some of the most effective things you can do for rental security are simple such as:
- Ensuring doors and windows are locked at all times, even when you are at home.
- Avoid sharing access codes or keys with unauthorised individuals.
- Report any suspicious behaviour or unknown individuals on the property immediately.
- Participate in community watch programs, if available, for additional support.
Conclusion
Rental security is a collective effort that involves landlords, tenants, and security professionals. By investing in comprehensive security solutions and nurturing a community of awareness it is possible to reduce security risks and improve the quality of life for tenants across the region.
At Nomico Fire & Security, we offer a variety of security systems and maintenance services to help secure all types of properties in Essex, London and the Home Counties. We can assist you in enhancing rental security and ensuring your home is safe at all times with our expertise.
Contact Us Today
For expert advice and advanced security systems, get in touch with us today.
