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Here we have a guest Post from Leo Clarke on protecting your properties from crime…
If you own property that you rent out, you’ll want to keep that property safe. Your property is your livelihood, and you’ll also shoulder responsibility for people that are making it their home.
Here are some of the best ways to protect your property from crime:
1. Understand the Extent of Crime
To protect your property, you need to be taking crime seriously. Crimes are reported to police at a rate of 15,800 per day.
Everyone thinks that it won’t happen to them. But, unless you’re serious about stopping crime, you risk becoming a victim.
2. Educate Your Tenants
You can’t defend your property alone. If someone else is living there, it’s also their responsibility to keep the property safe from harm. Provide a home security alarm, and make sure that it’s being used. Remind them not to leave windows open, or doors unlocked at any time.
You don’t want to be an intrusive landlord, but a short guide to safety and security should set your tenants on the right track.
3. Keep Your Property Occupied
Unoccupied properties are a massive temptation, and far more at risk of crime. If you don’t have a tenant, do your best to get one as quickly as possible. If your property sits empty, it’s inviting burglars and trespassers. By making sure that you have someone living in your property, you’re automatically deterring would-be criminals. You’re also earning valuable income, which makes this a win-win scenario.
4. Maintain Your Property
If your tenants have complained about a damaged fence, invest quickly in a proper repair. If your tenants are concerned about the lock on their front door, send someone out to take a look.
Property maintenance might seem like hassle and expense – something to delay for as long as possible – but it’s important for security and safety. Criminals are looking for easy access points, and you really don’t want them to find them.
5. Give Your Tenants Some Power
As a landlord, it’s tempting to keep control of every single little thing. But, research shows that tenants care more if they’re more involved in decisions. By allowing tenants to make changes to their home and garden, you’re giving them some responsibility and a sense of pride. In turn, they’ll care more and will do more to protect their home.
6. Invest in Security Equipment
Install a video doorbell, or a monitored security system. That way, your property is being watched even when nobody’s home.
High-quality security equipment is a valuable investment for a landlord.
Motion-activated lights are another valuable piece of security equipment. Often, a sudden flash of light is enough to alert the neighbours and scare an intruder away.
7. Consider Allowing Pets
Many landlords prefer not to allow pets in their properties. They’re worried about the damage that four-legged creatures can cause. In fact, most tenants are responsible pet owners. And, having a dog on the property can act as a crime deterrent.
Dogs can be living, breathing security systems that will raise the alarm in emergencies. Weigh up the pros and cons, and see if allowing pets is worth it.
8. Install Window Locks
As well as locking doors, make sure that your tenants have effective ways to lock their windows. Window locks can not be attached to designated escape windows, but they can be attached to all others.
9. Hire a Good Estate Agent
You don’t have to live near a property in order to be a good landlord. An estate agent can look after the homes that you’re renting out.
Give yourself the best chance of finding good tenants, and protecting your home, by working with a reputable agent. Estate agents should be able to find the right tenants, and to help to look after your property on your behalf when you’re not around.
10. Make Sure You’re Insured
Finally, it’s crucial that you have appropriate landlord insurance. You can’t always stop crime, and so it’s important that you’re covered should the worst ever happen.
By making sure that you’re protected financially, and by taking steps to secure your property, you can live worry-free and enjoy the experience of being a property landlord.
Source: The figures in this article are sourced from Churchill.
