Knowing Your Security Options for Renting | SAFE AND SOUND

Knowing Your Security Options for Renting

Some investments are well worth the time and money that you put into it, and for some, real estate is that thriving money maker. When you become a landlord of a rental property or are renting, it is just as hard to find a good landlord as it is to find a fitting tenant. As a landlord it is your responsibility to keep a “warranty of habitability.” You can achieve this by ensuring your tenant has a livable, clean, and safe environment they can call home. So, we want to give you a heads-up to both landlord and tenants when it comes to your security of rental properties.

What Happens When the Rental is Burglarized?

As a landlord, your insurance policies do not provide coverage for the tenant's personal belongings as it is their responsibility to get renter's insurance. However, as a landlord, it is your responsibility to provide a safe environment for your tenants. Neglect of providing such an environment can cause your tenants to break the lease depending on the scenario. Not only does the robbery itself inflict stress on all parties, but it can have a significant financial impact also. Check out this table Click Here to see if the tenant can potentially break the lease after a robbery.

There are ways to avoid such occurrences by replacing the locks or re-keying doors. Not only does it protect your tenants, but it protects yourself. After a robbery, you will want to replace all damaged windows and doors or change the locks if there was no sign of forced entry. Besides, you may want to consider installing a security system if you're wanting to maintain their residency. In desperate times of distress, a tenant may wish to break their lease, but if the robbery was because of negligence, a fee is still required to break their lease.

What can I do as a Landlord to Increase Security?

If you notice that crime rates are increasing in your neighborhood, you may want to consider taking action to improve the security, showing that you are progressively ensuring the safety and the residency of your tenant. Simple fixes like fixing a broken porch light or adding deadbolts and window locks will make a significant difference. You can always exceed safety laws and secure all points of entry such as windows, front and back doors especially because some people tend to leave these unlocked. A surprising majority of burglaries occur between 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Also, homes without a security system are 300 times more likely to be broken into, and rental properties tend to be more vulnerable to property crime than homeowners. Landlords can also protect themselves from break-ins with an appropriate landlord insurance policy. A good insurance policy can protect your pockets especially when you can prove you provide a safe environment.

What can I do as a Tenant to Increase Security?

As a tenant, you should invest in renters insurance as most of your valuables may not be covered if they were stolen even if the landlord did not provide a safe environment. First, don't be afraid to express your opinion in terms of your security. If you know that a neighbors home just got broken into down the street, more than likely, the landlord will not want theirs to be broken into either. So, as a result, you can ask them about increasing the security of the homes. There are also security systems that can be installed, such as cameras or door alarms, that can be wall-mounted. Of course, you will want to confirm with your landlord that you can drill holes into walls before you proceed.

In 2017, an interesting study gave professional burglars a virtual burglary scenario, where they all bypassed downstairs living areas and headed straight for the upstairs bedrooms and gathered jewelry and cash. Yup, they aren't afraid of digging through your underwear drawer to find cash or valuables. Bulky items and electronics tend to stay as they may raise suspicion. With this in mind, it is important to invest in in-home security solutions as well. We offer various solutions from watch safes to portable safes in case you feel more comfortable keeping your items on you.

No matter if you are a renter, landlord, or homeowner, feeling safe is a necessity, and that's why we are the only place in town keeping you safe and sound. If you are a landlord or tenant that feels like you can improve your home's security, give us a call, and we can discuss the options best fit for you!