8 Ways to Increase Safety & Security in Your Rental Properties

It was found in a 2018 report by Nottingham Trent University that the probability of burglary is 63% higher for privately rented homes compared to owner-occupied homes. This can be partially explained by owner-occupied homes being 77% more likely to have WIDE Security.

WIDE security refers to:

• window locks
• indoor lights on a timer
• door double/deadlocks
• exterior lights on a timer/sensor.

It has been statistically proven that having WIDE security in any property dramatically reduces the risk of burglary or invasion, but that isn't the only thing you should consider when securing the property. In this article, we explore 8 more ways you can increase the security of your investments to protect your tenants from dangerous situations such as home invasions, fires, and floods. Though these may appear to be excessive expenditures for something that may never be needed, taking precautions is never a bad idea.

1. Ensure you have the right locks

Ensure your locks are BS3621 certified. In addition to being thief-resistant, these locks can withstand a wide variety of different approaches, such as breaking and picking. It's actually common for insurance providers to demand that you have locks certified by BS3621. A British Standard kitemark should be engraved on your lock (see image below) to indicate that it meets this standard. In addition to a kitemark, an authenticity standard number should be provided. 

2. Reinforce doors, windows and hardware,

Quality locks are virtually useless if your doors and windows are weak and easily broken. It is recommended to replace hollow, thin, or broken doors, and to install auxiliary foot locks on sliding doors to prevent the doors from being forced open. In addition, door reinforcement kits can be purchased practically anywhere, including on Amazon. 

3. Install CCTV

Having CCTV cameras visible is a great deterrent to burglars and criminals.  Cameras cannot be installed inside a home, however they can be installed in the area surrounding the home. If you are installing security cameras, make sure that your tenants know about them and are aware of them - you may want to give them access to the app you use to monitor the cameras so they can also feel safe. 

While CCTV cameras are relatively inexpensive these days, you could install decoy cameras, which are widely available if the real thing is out of your budget or your tenants are uneasy about the idea. As deterrents to opportunistic burglars, they can be a convenient alternative.

4. Protect the back entrance

The back door is a common entry point neglected from a security perspective, and being less visible from the public eye, it's more attractive to burglars. The back door also provides an easy escape route if they get caught, because the police usually enter through the front door, so it's logical to have an exit at the back. Therefore, it is imperative that you reinforce and secure the back doors and windows, particularly sliding glass doors, and if you have cameras by the front entrance, make sure to install them at the back entrance as well.

5. Rent to tenants with dogs

For burglars, dogs are a significant inconvenience. The truth is, you don't need to choose tenants based on their giant, aggressive dogs. A small, yappy dog is often far more effective at deterring burglars because of their extreme barking and inability to stop. The hassle of dealing with dogs simply isn't worth it compared to finding an empty house.

6. Mandatory safety checks

If you are a landlord, you have the following legal obligations:

• ensure annual Gas Safety checks are carried out on each appliance and flue, carried out by a registered engineer
• ensure the electrical system and each appliance connected to it is safe and tested every five years.
• ensure fire escapes are clear and accessible, a working smoke alarm is fitted in each storey and your properties follow fire regulations. 

More info on these can be found on the gov.uk website here.

In addition to the dangers that these regulations pose to your tenants and properties, breaking these can result in heavy fines and possible prosecution.

7.  Don't leave repairs until it's too late

Keeping your property well-maintained and making repairs when necessary can help reduce the risk of accidents. If ignored, damage to doors, windows, drains, electrical/gas appliances, etc., can become a huge safety hazard, so it is essential to conduct regular inspections and make repairs right away to prevent further damage.

8. Use a property management service

The things listed above can be extremely time-consuming and difficult to keep track of if you own several properties. 

With the assistance of a good property management service, things can run much more smoothly as you will have a dedicated and experienced team available to organise repairs, checks, inspections, and more as needed to ensure your tenants' well-being. Embrace Property is a trusted name for landlords in and around the Coventry area, so don't hesitate to reach out to us at 02475094040.