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Living in a secure home where you can eat and sleep peacefully, knowing you are safe, is everyone's goal. However, if you are a landlord, it becomes your responsibility to ensure the security of your tenants in their homes. Moreover, safeguarding your rental property, which serves as a business asset, is a significant undertaking. This blog provides rental property security tips. Whether you are a landlord or a tenant, implementing these tips is highly recommended.

Tips to Keep Rental Property Secure

Secure Windows and Sliding Doors

Intruders often target windows and sliding doors as their preferred entry points. Strengthening the security of your windows can be achieved through the installation of window locks, security films, or window bars.

Window locks provide an additional layer of protection by making it more challenging for intruders to open the windows. Security film, a specialized material applied to the windows, enhances their resistance to shattering, greatly impeding burglars' access. Window bars, while more visually prominent, offer a high level of security and effectively block any unauthorized entry. This option may be particularly suitable for properties with easily accessible entry points, such as ground-level windows facing busy streets.

Keep the Property Well Lit

Lights should be installed not only indoors but also in external areas around the property. It is recommended to choose motion-activated lights for better security. Ensure proper lighting around windows and doors to discourage thieves who take advantage of darkness. Additionally, adding lighting will help illuminate pathways and make it easier to locate keys.

Protect your Wi-Fi Network

Your home network can be quite vulnerable. If you approach the question of how to keep rental property safe from a cybersecurity point of view, you need to protect yourself from hackers. VPN is the simplest and most reliable solution available to homeowners. Beyond its purely protective function, VPN on Roku will help you unblock regional content libraries. If you need instructions on how to install VPN on Roku, you can get them from this link. With a good VPN, such as VeePN in the free trial version, you can watch any content, regardless of its regional restrictions.

Secure Main Entrances

Most entrance doors have deadbolts installed. While you have the option to choose between a single- or double-cylinder deadbolt, opt for the latter as it provides greater security. Installing a double-cylinder deadbolt near a window will prevent a thief from reaching through and opening the door.

Enhance the safety of your entrances by installing metal or solid wood doors. Avoid hollow wood doors or those with windows, as they are easily breakable. Choose a solid door for maximum property protection.

Security Cameras

Security cameras were previously expensive, but their installation costs have been decreasing. Installing cameras in properties can provide peace of mind and enhance tenant safety. It's important to note that cameras cannot be placed inside a tenant's property, but they can be used in common areas such as entranceways, stairwells, and the back of the property to ensure its security.

Cameras act as effective deterrents for thieves, even when not actively monitored. You can even install Wi-Fi cameras and connect to them remotely. The main rule is to organize a secure remote connection using a VPN extension. You can click here to get a Chrome extension that will protect your connection from data interception and ISP restrictions. There are also extensions for other popular browsers.

Maintain the Landscaping

Your property's appeal is enhanced by trees providing shade. However, alongside windows, they could pose a risk. Unkempt bushes and shrubs can also become hiding spots for intruders. Enhance your property's security by maintaining well-kept outdoor areas and gardens. Trim trees and bushes near windows and entrances to eliminate potential hiding spots for intruders.

Furthermore, regularly inspect and repair fences, gates, and other physical barriers to ensure they remain in good condition. Broken fences and gates provide easy access to your property, compromising security. Demonstrating that your property receives proper care and attention with a neat appearance helps deter criminals.

Consider Hiring a Property Manager

To ensure renter satisfaction, it is crucial to maintain your property. However, this can be challenging if you live far from your property, work full-time, or have limited time to dedicate to regular upkeep. By hiring a property manager, you can not only address these challenges but also deter potential burglars as there will always be someone monitoring and present on the premises.

Consider enlisting a property manager to handle issues and concerns as they arise. Property managers specialize in tenant screening, location maintenance, and area surveillance. Entrusting a property manager with time-consuming day-to-day tasks will simplify your life and ensure the protection of your rental property.

Perform a Security Audit

Once you have spoken to the landlord, you will gain knowledge about the devices and hardware present in the vicinity. Your task now involves inspecting the surroundings and paying attention to any existing security weaknesses. Can any hiding spots behind trees or bushes be exploited by potential intruders? Is it easy for someone to pick the lock and gain access through the front door?

If you believe that you can break in, consider how effortless it would be for experienced thieves. It is crucial to discuss these newly discovered issues with your landlord. Additionally, follow these steps to help prevent potential break-ins.

Conclusion

Implementing security brings peace of mind, both to your tenants and yourself as a landlord. Knowing you have taken proactive steps to safeguard your rental unit and tenants relieves stress and allows you to focus on other obligations. The great news is that you don't have to handle everything alone. If finding time becomes challenging, collaborate with a property management professional to lighten your load, freeing up time and energy to concentrate on other matters.