If you are a landlord, it is inevitable that there will be periods where your rental properties are unoccupied.
Whether home improvement work is being done or you are waiting on new tenants moving in, it is vital that security is maintained throughout the void period.
To help protect your investment and keep your property as safe as possible at this time follow these top vacant property security tips:
Do a full inspection
No two properties are the same and the key to developing an effective security plan is to inspect the entire property before leaving.
Not only should inspections be conducted at the start of the void period but, if possible, at regular intervals throughout to ensure the ongoing maintenance of your security measures.
Some of the key things to look for during a void property inspection include:
Locks
Check that all doors and windows are locked, including those attached to garages and sheds.
Many intruders are accomplished lock pickers so make sure to install the latest most secure locks and consult with a professional security firm who will be able to advise on the most effective units.
Maintain alarms and CCTV
Installing burglar alarms and CCTV systems are the most effective measures you can take to guard against criminal activity on a void property, but only if they are in good working order.
Check the condition and operation of your alarms and CCTV on a regular basis or select a monitored security system that will be maintained by a professional security firm.
Review Security Footage
A quick look around your property can only tell you so much and reviewing your CCTV footage is a good way to ensure you haven’t missed any security breaches.
If you do find an issue, such as a break-in, CCTV is the best way to determine exactly what happened, how your security was compromised, and what needs to be done to prevent a similar event from occurring in the future.
Deter Criminals
Active preventative measures such as alarms and security locks are great but the most effective way to prevent crime from occurring in your vacant property is to deter intruders from targeting you in the first place.
Here are some of the best ways to deter burglars from attempting to gain access to your property:
Install Lighting
Lighting is a good way to give the appearance of activity even when no one is currently inside the property.
If no one is able to visit the property on a regular basis consider installing lights on a timer that come on automatically to mimic those of similar occupied buildings.
Another option is smart lights which can be activated remotely via a mobile app.
Avoid the common signs of an empty home
Experienced burglars will no exactly what to look for when scouting out vacant homes.
Taking steps to prevent these signs being present on your property is a good idea.
For example, diverting post is one way to avoid letters piling up outside the property, a clear indication no-one is home.
If you are friendly with the neighbours consider asking them to park their car on your driveway whilst the property is vacant to avoid an empty appearance and ask a trusted person to visit on a semi-regular basis.
Make your security highly visible
CCTV and burglar alarms are extremely effective deterrents to criminals, but only if they are aware of their existence.
Install signs on the exterior of your property to alert those approaching to the presence of CCTV and install the alarm box in a visible location on the front of your property (high up to avoid tampering) so those approaching will be unable to miss it.
Motion activated lighting is another great visual deterrent to potential intruders who will likely turn heel and make a swift retreat if they are suddenly illuminated for the entire street to see.
Get suitable insurance
It can be quite difficult to secure insurance on a vacant property due to the perceived higher risk than those which are currently lived in but doing so is essential to protecting yourself against nasty expensive surprises later on.
Check with your current insurance provider to see if they will cover your property whilst it is not being lived in and ask for clarification on exactly what is covered and for how long.
Be aware that any property insurance you do have will probably be invalid after a relatively short period of unoccupancy so this is something you should resolve as soon as possible.
Get in Touch
For more information on vacant property security, monitored alarm systems, or to arrange for a security professional to come and do an inspection of your property, get in touch with www.v-360.co.uk and our expert team will be delighted to help.