Own Rental Property? 6 Smart Ways to Protect Against Break-Ins
Break-ins are never a good thing, but they’re especially painful for rental property owners. First, there’s the financial hit. You may need to pay out-of-pocket for property damage. And you may have to deal with the loss of property.
Break-ins also carry the risk of liability claims, and a break-in of your rental property means loss of energy, money, and time. Break-ins can ruin your reputation as a landlord or deter new tenants. Existing tenants may break their lease with just cause. It just isn’t good for business.
These are all good reasons to protect your rental property against break-ins. Let’s take a look at some ways to accomplish this:
Invest in Secure Door Locks
Doors are natural entry points, for tenants and criminals. Not all door locks are made equal. Double-cylinder deadbolt locks are a good start. You can also add chain locks to all the apartments. Chain locks let the tenant see who is outside without having to unlock the chain.
Peepholes also go a long way to make tenants feel safe. A peephole can give a view of the entire hallway without opening the door. Locks don’t help if the door is unlocked, so be sure to stress to tenants how important it is to lock the doors when leaving the property.
Upgrade Property Doors
It’s not enough for a door to have a proper lock. If the door is flimsy, the lock doesn’t matter. A shoulder lunge or a strong kick will take down a hollow wood door, so consider doors made of solid wood or steel. Keep in mind that doors with windows, unless bulletproof, make your rental property easy prey for criminals.
Keep Windows Secure
Another common entry point for burglars is windows. High-quality locks make it impossible to open windows from the outside. These locks should be added to all windows, even on the top floors. Security bars are another idea, especially for ground floors. Window sensors that trigger an alarm if someone tries to enter are good for ground floors too.
Install a Security System
Installing a security system on your rental property makes it three times less likely to be broken into than properties without one. Security system signs outside the building may keep potential criminals from targeting your property. An alarm system will give peace of mind to tenants, and they may find your rental property more desirable.
Use a doorbell with a security camera
Doorbells with security cameras are often motion-activated. They hook up to a smartphone that receives a picture when the camera is triggered. In the case of a burglary, there will be a picture or video of the burglar. This will give you and your tenants peace of mind that the property is always being monitored even when unoccupied.
Consider an Intercom System
An intercom system will let tenants control who has access to the building. They lower the chance of criminal activity significantly. Intercom systems are even more useful for properties with several tenants. Without a system, it’s easy for burglars to blend into the people coming and going.
Protect your rental property with Frase Protection
Break-ins cost money and are unsettling for anyone, but easily a property owner’s worst nightmare. Though the risk of break-ins to your rental property can’t be completely eliminated, there are many things you can do to lower the risk. Implementing the changes above will help you do just that.
At Frase Protection, we’re proud to serve as your security system partner, helping to protect your investment. Our Smart Home Security System can be customized to meet the needs of your property and tenants. For a free estimate, get in touch with our team today.
