As a landlord you have a responsibility to your tenant(s) to make sure your property is safe and secure.
Burglaries are common in the UK, in fact one happens every 116 seconds. But there are precautions you can take to reduce this risk, keeping your property and tenants safe.
Why is security important?
Every homeowner’s worst nightmare is having their property broken into. Whether you live in the property or are renting it to others you still want it to be secure.
As a landlord there’s an added legal pressure to make sure the property is safe for tenants. Defined under Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985, landlords have a statutory duty to keep their property well maintained for tenancies under 7 years.
This includes making sure the property has working locks, is structurally sound, and the windows and doors are secure. All this works to reduce the risk of break-ins.
What should you do as a landlord to keep your property secure?
You and your tenant(s) should work together to keep your property as safe as possible. Here’s how you can hold up your end of the deal:
Doors and windows
Burglars will use key entry points like doors and windows to break in, so all windows and doors should have high-quality, secure locks and fittings that prevent forced entry.
Everyone loves natural light in their living space, but having huge glass doors and windows allows intruders to see inside and makes forced entry easier. So consider the security of the fixtures you choose for your property.
Deadbolts and locks
Deadbolts and locks cannot be prised open from the exterior so they offer a simple solution to extra security.
Having locks on windows, particularly ground floor windows, prevents intruders having easy access to your property.
Alarms
Installing an alarm system on your property actively deters possible intruders. And should a break-in happen, those around the property, and in some cases, the police, will be notified.
Even the look of an alarm system will deter intruders. Fake alarm boxes are an option. They don’t actually sound or notify anyone but the look of them is enough to warn off intruders.
Burglar-proof the garden
The ground surrounding your property should be considered just as much as the property itself. Use noisy gravel, put latches on the gates and install motion sensor lights.
Keeping trees and shrubs cut back also minimises possible hiding spots that work to conceal intruders.
High-tech security
CCTV, smart cameras and locks add an extra level of security. This is particularly helpful when the house is empty for extended periods of time.
Any smart devices used for surveillance around the property should be discussed with your tenant(s) prior to installation.
Agreements
A good method to insure you as a landlord, is to work some security stipulations into the tenancy agreement. For example, the tenant may have to notify you when they’ll be leaving the property unoccupied for extended periods.
This way you can guarantee good communication between you and the tenant and you’ll know when to keep a closer eye on the property.
What to do if your property is broken into?
Even with every precaution taken, burglaries happen. In that scenario, here’s the next steps to take:
- Report to the police
Notify the police immediately. After the police have inspected the property, take time-stamped photos of any damage. This will help with your insurance claim later down the line.
- Secure the property
If windows have been smashed or the door has been damaged, they need to be fixed so the tenant can move back in. Whilst awaiting repairs they can be boarded up to prevent further break-ins.
- Contact your insurers
Let your insurance know about the burglary. They’ll begin your claim process and advise you on the next steps.
- Change the locks
After any damaged doors or windows have been repaired, the locks should be changed and any smart software should be given new passwords. This prevents future break-ins or possible cyber-attacks.
Calling a local locksmiths will put you in touch with a professional able to get your property secure again.
Final thoughts
As a landlord you have a responsibility to look out for those living in your property. And burglaries are common, so it’s important to take every possible precaution to minimise the risk.
But if a break-in does happen, take action immediately, and focus on restoring your property’s security.
