10 Tips to Protect Your RENTAL PROPERTY When Your Tenants Are on Holiday

There is a good chance at some point during the year that your tenants may head off for a much-needed break, leaving your property empty, and potentially vulnerable.
The below will help ensure that your property remains protected while your tenants are away.

1. Knock, knock…who’s there?

Most burglaries take place when nobody’s home, so it is important to make sure the property appears to be occupied.

There are a few simple tricks for doing this, including setting timers on internal lights and investing in a television simulator light. These can act as visual deterrents by making thieves think someone is at home.

Ask your tenant to cancel regular deliveries, such as newspapers and if they plan to be away for a while, they may want to consider having post temporarily redirected so it’s not stacking up behind the door – particularly if it has a glass panel.

2. Neighbourhood watch

If you don’t live near to your investment property, good neighbours can be a valuable asset. Asking them to put the dustbin out on the appropriate day, or if they have a key, to open and close the curtains on a daily basis can help to create the illusion that someone is home.

3. Window shopping

The majority of burglaries aren’t pre-planned, so make sure there’s nothing left on display to tempt an opportunist thief. Always ask your tenant to store away valuable items, such as jewellery and electronic items, and to never leave money or important documents lying around. Blinds can help to reduce visibility, if your rental property doesn’t currently have them, consider fitting them, particularly on the ground floor windows.

4. Be alarmed

If the property has an alarm system, make sure your tenant knows how to use it and that it is set before they leave. It’s also a good idea to ask them to provide you with the security code so the property can still be entered in an emergency – they can always change the code when they return.

Window security is often overlooked but there are several types of window alarms that you can fit which detect and sound when a window is opened or broken. Just by having these visible from the outside can help to deter thieves from trying to enter, as it indicates that the rest of the house is probably quite secure.

5. Light it up

Well-lit areas are generally off-putting to would-be intruders so make sure the outside of the property is suitably lit. Security lights should be in full working order, with timers or motion sensors and double check that the nearest streetlights are working too.

6. Lock up and leave

It goes without saying, but you would be surprised to find that many people forget to lock their doors before going on holiday. Remind your tenant that they need to lock all external entry points, including doors and windows, and shut internal doors too. If the property has gates, a shed or a garage, ask tenants to lock these too, to prevent access to the premises.

As a landlord, it is your responsibility to make sure all locks are fit for purpose, your tenant has a copy of the keys, and they are aware that they are expected to use them.

7. Access all areas

Before your tenant heads off on vacation, it’s wise to ask for their permission to enter the property in their absence. This can be useful in order to make sure everything is in working order and to troubleshoot maintenance issues, such as potential leaks. Even a small drip can cause a lot of damage if left undetected for a long period of time.

8. Anti-social media

It’s important that your tenant is selective in who they tell about their forth-coming trip, particularly when it comes to social media. Posting pictures and updates about a holiday online advertises to tech-savvy burglars that no one is home.

9. Police your policy

If your property is going to be empty for an extended period of time, your insurance company may need to be informed. Failing to do so could invalidate the policy, and any claims made could be affected. So, make sure to read your policy documents carefully – and don’t forget the small print!

10. Expert advice

If your tenant is going to be away for a long period of time and you would like additional advice, why not speak to your local ARLA Propertymark letting agent. They are experts in all things rental-related and will be able to give you the best tips to make sure your property is properly protected.

Link to the article: http://www.propertymark.co.uk/advice-and-guides/landlords/protect-your-home-when-your-tenants-are-on-holiday.aspx

Related articles: https://vaidleenrivera.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/benefits-of-purchasing-a-home-warranty/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://villaricalocksmith.net/

9 tips to protect your home while you’re on holidays

By Sarah Lefebvre on Dec 12 2017

As the congested highways and busy airports around Australia will prove later this month, the Christmas – New Year period is a time when many of us decide to travel away for an annual holiday.

But there is more involved in preparing for that annual trip than simply packing enough beach towels or finding minders for the family cat.

Burglars are opportunistic in their activity; during Christmas, they are on the prowl.  Here are some tips to better protect your home during the holiday season.

1. Check and secure all locks & look like you’re at home

If you have faulty locks on any doors or windows or other entry points, replace them before you head off on your travels. When leaving, double check that all the locks are secured, and have another family member check as well.

Lock the back and side gates, activate your security system and bring the spare key that you have hidden outside, back indoors.

Mow your lawn just before leaving, lock the garage and shed, and keep the second car, if you have one, in the driveway.

2. Make your home look occupied

Thieves are drawn to dark spaces to hide their activity.  Consider installing outside motion detector sensor lights to come on if anyone walks up your path or near windows.  Add timer switches to some of your internal lights so they come on automatically for a period of time each night.  Adding one to the TV is also a good idea as the noise makes it sound like someone is home.

3. Monitor your home from your holiday

Modern IP monitored security systems allow homeowners to arm and disarm their alarm system remotely, receive instant notification of security breaches, manage and automate home appliances and visually check in your home. This is a smart (but expensive) way to enhance your home security but may be worth considering.

4. Cancel the post and deliveries

Having Christmas cards spilling out of the mailbox is an obvious sign no one is home. Think about redirecting or getting a hold put on your mail. And cancel newspaper deliveries, or ask your next door neighbour to take the newspaper off the front lawn.

5. Carefully discard Christmas packaging

Whilst you may be excited about the new large screen television sitting under the tree, and just as excited to get the bulky packaging it came in out of the house. But displaying the cardboard box it came in, complete with its make and style on the front kerb next to the garbage bin is bait for thieves.

The better idea is to rip up the cardboard box into various pieces and place in a black plastic bag before the next garbage collection.

6. Don’t be too social

While the holidays are a time for us all to enjoy each other’s company, be circumspect in how you share your adventures.

Displaying Instagram photos from New York or checking in to your Facebook account from Fiji lets everyone know you’re not home. Don’t rely on privacy settings on social media to protect your home. Wait until you’ve returned home, then share your holiday snaps.

7. Talk to your trusted neighbours

Letting your neighbours know you will be away during the holidays and that they can contact you if anything was to happen to your property is a good idea.  If you have a good relationship with them, ask them to keep an eye on your place, bring in your garbage bins after you’ve left and collect the mail.

8. Check your insurance

Before you head off on holidays it’s worth making sure your home and contents insurance is up to date and paid.  It would be horrendous if you were robbed to find out you hadn’t paid your latest instalment.

9. Secure levels up high

First floor entry points are often easier to access for criminals and they know this.  Toeholds such as external air conditioners and window grills can help robbers gain access to upper levels. So make sure all the windows and doors are locked securely.

Highrise apartments are not always safe either.  While you may think you live 10 stories up, you are really only one storey above the balcony below yours.  So don’t get complacent, lock your apartment up securely – it’s better to be safe than sorry.

Link to the article: https://www.ljhooker.com.au/blog/latest-blog/december-2017/9-tips-to-protect-your-home-while-you%E2%80%99re-on-holida

Related articles: https://protectamericainc.wordpress.com/2012/04/16/list-of-home-protection-providers-in-america/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://villaricalocksmith.net/

How to protect your home whilst you’re on holiday

Joanna Whitehead | @MsWhitehead100
Friday 1 June 2018 15:46|

Holidays can be fun and exciting, but how much thought do you give to the home you’re leaving behind when you set off on your travels?

Alongside the mammoth laundry loads, organising travel, pet sitters and doing double the amount of work to compensate for your time away, the safety and security of your nest can be easy to overlook.
Our advice below will ensure you can leave your home safe in the knowledge that you’ve done all you can to safeguard your abode and its contents.

Tell a trusted friend, family member of neighbour that you’re going away

Having someone you trust to pop round, open and close curtains and blinds, collect post and, generally, alert any observers to some activity is generally agreed to be a good thing.
A pile of mail on the front door mat is a green light for potential intruders, so finding someone to collect this is a good call.

Giving your trusted person a key is always wiser than simply leaving a key underneath a doormat or plant pot – a rookie error, if ever there was one. This also enables someone to gain access to the property in the event of an emergency.

Don’t advertise your departure on social media

While it can be very tempting to advertise your impending departure on social media, it’s also a sure-fire way to draw attention to a vacant home.

If you simply can’t stomach the prospect of missing out on bragging rights whilst you’re poolside, consider changing your security settings to trusted friends and family for the duration of your trip.
Alternatively, turn off your location services and wait until your return home to upload any photographs.

Install timer switches

Make the most of smart tech to give the illusion of occupancy and deter potential intruders.
Smart plugs and light bulbs can be easily installed and programmed to switch electrical appliances on and off at particular times – much better than simply leaving a light on for the entirety of your time away.

Depending on the type of property you reside in, an outdoor security light can also be a worthy investment.

Cancel newspapers

Save yourself some cash, reduce your paper consumption and avoid drawing attention to a pile of newspapers on the doormat – another dead giveaway of an empty home.

Switch off plugs and ensure windows and doors are locked

A no-brainer for many, but there’s nothing worse than getting hours from home and being unable to shake the sense that you’ve left some straighteners plugged in.

Do a comprehensive sweep of your property to ensure everything that needs to be unplugged is (usually everything apart from your fridge-freezer).

Don’t forget the insurance!

This applies to both your trip and your home. In the event something does happen in your absence, making sure you’re fully covered for all eventualities will ensure you can rest easy and focus on the task of enjoying yourself.

Link to the article: https://www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/home-security-holiday-safety-social-media-timers-a8379151.html

Related articles: https://baltimorechildabusecenter.wordpress.com/2016/12/05/holiday-hulabaloo-tips-tricks-for-keeping-kids-safe/

For further assistance in home security, click here for more: http://villaricalocksmith.net/