Take Steps To Protect Your Rental And Tenants

A home break-in happens every 90 seconds in Canada. As a landlord, the expense and inconvenience can be costly, but for your tenants, it can be a devastating and traumatic experience. Regardless of where your property is located, there is always a chance that your rental could be the next one targeted by criminals. Your tenants are therefore relying on you as their landlord to ensure that their home is as safe as possible.

Install Security Camera To Deter Burglars

A study by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology asked over 400 convicted burglars about what would stop them for burglarizing a specific target. Almost 60% of those asked admitted that security cameras positioned outside would discourage them from breaking into a property. Installing security cameras at your rental property is an effective way to increase security and not only protects your property but also your tenants. Cameras can be placed at the front entrance, back entrance and in common areas such as hallways and stairwells. As a landlord, you should advise your tenants of how the footage will be used and when it will be accessed before installing the cameras. Cameras should not capture the inside of individual homes.

Most Criminals Break-In Through Doors

About 34% of burglars enter homes through the front door, while a further 22% gain access through the back door. Ensuring that all external doors are properly secured is important in maintaining the security of yours and your tenant’s property. Check that all external doors are made of a heavy-duty, solid material such as wood or steel. Try to avoid having doors with glass as this can be easily broken by burglars. Adding a deadbolt lock to your door along with a standard lock, will make the door extra secure and make it harder for a criminal to break in.

Deter Burglars With A Doorbell Camera

A doorbell camera not only enables your tenant to verify who is at the door, but it’s also helpful in catching criminals too. Recently, a man in Edmonton was able to stop two burglars from breaking into his home thanks to his doorbell camera. The man received a notification from his doorbell camera and as he watched the live feed; he saw the men use tools to the breakthrough the front door of his home. Thankfully, the man was able to use the intercom to tell the criminals he was watching and they soon disappeared off his property.

80% Of Burglars Gain Access Through Windows

Doors are not the only way a criminal will get into your property. At least eight out of ten burglars get into a property by a window. All windows to the property must be secured with working locks. Even if the property is above the ground floor, it is crucial for effective security that the locks work so no one can access the property, especially through the fire escape. If your rental is on the ground or first floor, you could add security bars on the windows. This will, of course, have an impact on the appearance of your property, so you may need to give this some thought.

Everyone wants to feel safe and secure in their home. Your tenants are relying on you as their landlord to keep their home as safe as possible. By installing security cameras, good locks on doors and windows, you will reassure your tenants that their safety and security is a priority for you too.

Written by Guest Blogger: Ali McGovern