There are thousands of people, all around the country who are currently living in a rental property. Unfortunately, according to information from the U.S. Department of Justice, rental properties are at a much higher risk of a home invasion than purchased homes.
If you are currently renting your home, it means you need to take certain steps and precautions to protect against home invasion and theft. Here are some tips to help you do this.
Get to Know Your Surroundings
Take some time to get to know the area where you live. Look up the crime rate, which is pretty easy to do thanks to online research. In fact, countless websites will let you know the most common crimes in the area. When you know what they are, you can take preventative steps.
For example, if vehicle break-ins are common in the neighborhood, park in a well-lit area. If your landlord allows it, consider installing smart lights, or a smart garage.
Talk to Your Landlord and Neighbors
It is also a good idea to get to know the people who have lived in the area for a while. They will be able to tell you how safe the area is and provide insight on how best to protect yourself.
Your landlord will be able to provide you with the same information and point out what features may already exist in the home that you can use for even more security. While most landlords are required (by law) to provide working deadbolts and window locks, there are some that go a step further and offer smart locks and outdoor security cameras, as well.
Take Care of the Property
If your property appears to be a vacation home or rental home, (i.e., it looks empty), then it is going to become a target for burglars. When you are moving in, you should make sure that your home appears to be well-cared for by landscaping, using light timers and fixing any vulnerable area on the property, such as a cracked wall or loose fence.
Secure the Entry Points
Make sure to fully inspect all the windows and doors to make sure they are secure. Most older homes will have entry points that are easy to wiggle loose, even if they are locked. Think about asking your landlord about changing the locks to make sure they are high quality and secure. If you purchase new locks, you can have confidence you are the only one who has a key.
Keep in mind, you can also install various smart home features, such as a smart doorbell camera, smart lock and other features that will increase home security. These can also be uninstalled and taken with you when you move.
