With home security more important than ever, those who rent their homes need to take extra care as there is often confusion over their rights and what changes they can make to the house.
Izzy Schulman, Director at Keys 4 U, has put together a guide to the best ways to keep your home safe as a renter.
Know your rights
Landlords have a legal and moral obligation to provide you with a safe place to live. This means all exterior doors and windows must close properly and be lockable.
If you’re viewing properties, air on the side of caution. Check windows and doors to make sure they’re made of durable materials and locks conform to British standards. If you’re unhappy, let the property owner know you’re not willing to move in unless these are replaced.
Those already renting a home should double-check all entry points for weaknesses that could compromise their security. If you find any, let your landlord know immediately. Tell them you don’t feel safe and that it needs fixing.
It’s also worth keeping a dated log of any issues, along with a picture of the damage, as soon as you spot it. This could protect you against a surprise bill if your landlord tries to blame you later down the line.
Change the locks
A classic concern when moving into a rental property is whether the locks have been changed. Most insurance policies don’t cover for unforced entry, so previous tenants cutting keys could put your personal and financial safety at risk.
If you suspect your locks haven’t been changed, contact your landlord and work with them to have them changed. However, if they don’t cooperate, you are within your rights to change them yourself. Keep the old locks to one side and return them to your landlord when you end your notice.
If you often misplace your keys, consider installing a smart lock. Instead of relying on keys, smart locks use a pin code or fob token, so they can’t be picked or opened if someone finds your keys.
Plus, it shows potential intruders you take your home security seriously – which is a deterrent in itself.
Trusting technology
In most cases, renters don't have permission to make major structural changes to the home to improve security. However, some simple adjustments and installations can keep you safe.
According to ex-convicts, cameras are the biggest deterrent to burglars, and these can be installed without making major changes to the home. Plus, CCTV systems can add value to the property, which will likely put your landlord in favour.
Smart doorbells are a cost-effective alternative to CCTV systems and can be fitted in place of your existing doorbell – so they don’t require any additional work.
Another alternative is a wireless smart alarm system, which can be stuck onto doors and windows using an adhesive strip, and will alert you to a break-in.
Be savvy about home security
When you can’t make significant alterations to your home, small changes to your behaviour can make all the difference. A security-first mindset can be one of your strongest tools.
Keep valuables like keys, phones, and wallets out of sight of your front door, to discourage opportunist thieves. Attaching a letterbox cage is also a simple way of preventing letterbox theft.
Get to know your neighbours. This could involve joining a neighbourhood watch scheme or simply starting a conversation when you see them outside. Having friendly faces nearby gives you the peace of mind knowing people are watching out for you and your home.
If you're renting a flat, you’re less likely to be a target of burglary, but it’s still a risk. Never buzz anyone into the building who you don’t know, and be aware of people following you in.
