As a landlord, you have two main reasons to secure your rental property. Firstly, it is your responsibility to provide your tenants with a safe living or working place. Aside from an upsetting experience for the tenant, burglary can bring you problems as you own the residence. So, the second reason is avoiding any risks of damage to your real estate. Home security systems https://securinghome.com/best-home-security-systems/ are the most innovative residential and commercial solutions.
A security system is an effective deterrent to burglars as it raises the alarm instantly when an attempted intrusion is detected. Moreover, it gives early warning to prevent disasters from fire and CO leaks and save lives. There are a few things you should know before installing a security system.
What are the best tips for residential and commercial security?
An extensive array of technologies can be used to reach a higher level of safety in commercial and residential buildings. Before buying an alarm system, it is useful to clarify the steps to take to make your property unattractive and scary for burglars.
There are several things burglars dislike. Incorporating these elements into the building can deter crime.
1) Burglars don’t like light.
Light up a perimeter around the building, especially at the parking lots and hallways. Smart outdoor lighting dissuades vandalism. Moreover, illuminated walkways and common areas help to prevent risks to residents and guests.
The security market offers motion-activated light bulbs. They notify occupants and neighbors when someone is on their territory. You can either buy this type of bulb or turn your regular lights into motion-detector ones by placing motion detection adapters between sockets and standard bulbs.
2) Burglars don’t like noise.
When an alarm system is armed (active), it can warn passersby and police that something is wrong. A siren goes off when a sensor is triggered. Its purpose is to scare an intruder out of a house or alert neighbors.
3) Burglars don’t like stubborn doors and windows.
About 58% of burglaries involve forcible entry. So, reinforce the doors, windows, and locks in the following ways:
- Install exterior steel doors. Most likely, a burglar won’t take up such a challenge as breaking a steel door.
- Door and window sensors can be useful. Some also add glass break detectors.
- Replace old unreliable locks with quality deadbolt models.
- Consider smart electronic locks for top-notch protection. Smart locks generally connect to Wi-Fi and offer a mobile app that locks and unlocks doors with a simple icon tap. You can unlock a front door and let visitors in even if you are away. Smart locks are beneficial not only as part of private property protection but also for commercial and residential locations.
4) Burglars don’t like to leave evidence.
The lack of evidence and witnesses is a primary reason why some burglaries remain unsolved. Outdoor and indoor cameras not only deter crime but help to identify suspects and gather evidence if it happens. However, some tenants may dislike the presence of indoor cameras. Also, it can be costly to purchase, service, and monitor.
But there’s one important benefit. Your property may not always be rented, and it can be empty for some periods. Security cams can be an excellent way to keep an eye on your property and ward off thieves.
Adding a video doorbell is another great protection tip. It allows seeing who and what is at your front door and communicating with people without opening the door.
5) What burglars really hate is an alert security system.
About 60% of the convicted burglars indicated that the presence of an alarm would make them seek another target. This was particularly true among those who planned a burglary well.
Signs in the yard and stickers by the front door and on the windows let people know that this property is equipped with security system devices. They will be useful as most burglars try to determine if an alarm is present before breaking into a residence.
Landlords have to opt between a self-monitored and professionally monitored system. Pro monitoring is an excellent solution for property owners as it offers increased security without compromising tenant privacy.
How does it work? A call center watches the property 24/7 and gets a signal when something triggers an alarm. Within a minute, monitoring service calls one of the phone numbers on file (someone you rent to) to make sure everything is OK.
To dismiss an alarm, the tenant must answer the call and provide a code number or word as verification. Otherwise, the monitoring center calls the appropriate authority.
Don’t forget about the environmental hazards
The landlord’s responsibilities include providing a safe rental for their tenants. And this safety is also from fire, CO leaks, and flood.
Read the laws specific to the location of your rentals. They dictate the number of smoke and CO detectors required for each room and floor of your rental. It also depends on what appliances are in those rooms.
As you can see, a security system is a set of connected devices and work together to protect a house/apartment/building. Studies show that most burglars avoid alarm systems. And one extensive study done by Rutgers School of Criminal Justice detected that security systems actually decrease the crime rate.
When it comes to protecting an income property, security must be a priority. A consultation with a security specialist will be helpful. The consultant will assess the current level of safety and recommend ways to improve it.
You might be surprised to learn that upgrading security can qualify a landlord for getting a discount on rental property insurance. Installing an alarm system could save you from 10 to 20%!
Renters must be responsible, too. Make sure that they are well-informed about the peculiarities of the alarm system.
Regularly check on your property, and your ownership experience will be more profitable and problem-free.
