Worried about the security of your rental property?
Whether it’s occupied or vacant, there’s a lot of risk and liability that comes with renting out a home. You have to protect your property, the tenants who live there, and your own peace of mind.
If you’re thinking about how to improve your rental security, we have some essential tips from our years of experience managing rental homes. Here’s what we can tell you.
Quick Overview:
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Checking Your Property’s Physical Security
It’s easy to get excited about tech-forward upgrades and fancy new additions to video doorbells and motion detector lights, but in a lot of ways, the security of your rental property starts with something simple: good locks.
All entry points should be equipped with solid-core or metal doors and high-quality deadbolt locks. Consider using reinforced strike plates and long screws to prevent kick-ins. Avoid cheap hardware that can easily be forced open. Re-key or change the locks between every tenancy, and think about installing keyless smart locks for added convenience and audit trails. This is one of the best ways to increase the security of your rental home right now. It also provides convenience.
Don’t forget to check your windows. These can be a common point of entry for burglars, especially on ground floors or in older units. Use window locks and security film to make glass harder to break. We like to install window sensors or alarms, and we’re always reminding owners that basement and first-floor windows may need bars or grilles if the property is in a high-risk area.
How secure is your fence or your gate? If your rental is a single-family home or part of a duplex, a secure perimeter adds an extra layer of safety. Use durable, tall fencing to deter trespassers. Lockable gates can be a great addition to your security plan. For multifamily properties, ensure common area gates automatically latch and require a code or key.
Install and Maintain Proper Lighting
Criminals are far less likely to target a well-lit property. Proper exterior lighting is one of the most cost-effective security upgrades you can make. Here’s where we would start:
Use motion sensor lights at entrances, driveways, walkways, and backyards.
Keep stairwells, hallways, and parking areas brightly lit at night.
Replace burnt-out bulbs promptly and use LED lights for energy efficiency.
Well-lit properties feel safer to tenants and are less appealing to criminals looking for dark, easy targets.
Add Smart Surveillance and Security Systems
Modern technology has made video surveillance and smart monitoring systems more affordable and easier to install than ever before. You can effectively secure and protect your property without violating the privacy rights of your tenants. Choose a security camera, an alarm system, or a video doorbell.
Security cameras should be visible and placed at main entry points, garages, and common areas. You can use a cloud-based system to monitor activity remotely. Let tenants know about camera placement for transparency and deterrence.
With an alarm system, you’ll want to install something that monitors for unauthorized entry, smoke, fire, and carbon monoxide. These can be hardwired or wireless, with remote access via smartphone apps. Consider offering tenants access or notifications as part of the lease agreement.
Video doorbells are popular, and a great way to help tenants feel safer. They’ll be able to see who is outside before they open or even approach the door.
Always ensure that surveillance complies with local laws and tenant privacy rights. Avoid placing cameras inside rented units or in private areas. If you have questions or concerns, contact us, and we’ll talk about the specifics.
Screen Tenants Carefully
No amount of physical security can compensate for a bad tenant. Strong tenant screening is your first line of defense against theft, property damage, and liability issues. Do all the things you’d normally do during a screening process. Check credit and look for past evictions. Conduct inspections while the tenant is in place, and create a relationship that ensures you’re in constant contact. A good tenant relationship is a surprisingly easy way to protect your investment.
Lease enforcement is also good for your property. Your lease is a legal tool, but it’s also a framework for security. Clearly outline tenant responsibilities for keeping the property secure. Include language in the lease that addresses:
Locking the doors and windows
Not duplicating keys or sharing access codes
Guest policies and visitor time limits
The prohibition of unauthorized occupants
Rules around tenants using or modifying security devices
Regular reminders of these expectations, especially during seasonal changes or local crime spikes, can reinforce tenant compliance.
Secure Shared and Common Areas
If you rent out units in a multi-family building, common areas like lobbies, laundry rooms, and stairwells are vulnerable to unauthorized access and loitering. Use controlled access systems such as key fobs, PIN pads, or intercoms. Install security cameras and post signage indicating surveillance. Perform regular walk-throughs to check for damage, vandalism, or suspicious activity. Always ensure emergency exits are secure but accessible as required by code.
Maintain the Property and Landscaping
A neglected property attracts the wrong attention and sends a message that no one is watching. If your property is vacant, it’s especially vulnerable. So it’s important to keep landscaping trimmed and clean, especially around windows and doors where troublemakers may hide. Remove trash and debris promptly and be quick to fix broken locks, windows, and lights. Maintain your paths, your stairs, and your entire exterior space.
A tidy, well-kept exterior is both a deterrent to criminals and a signal to tenants that their safety matters.
Establish Strong Communication With Tenants
Tenants are your first and best line of defense when it comes to security. They’re your eyes and ears on the ground. They can alert you to potential issues early.
Provide tenants with clear, easy ways to report concerns or suspicious activity.
Respond quickly to maintenance or security complaints.
Consider sending seasonal safety tips via email or newsletter (you might address holiday package theft prevention, fire safety, etc.).
When tenants know you take security seriously, they’re more likely to follow suit and take pride in their rental home.
Keep Your Rental Property Adequately Insured
Even with the best security measures, things can go wrong. Insurance is your financial backstop. Make sure you’re constantly reviewing your policy, and be sure that it covers things like theft, vandalism, fires, and liability issues. If you’re not requiring your tenants to have renter’s insurance, it’s a good idea to start.
Always keep an inventory of appliances, fixtures, and other valuable property items in case you do need to file a claim. Discuss your policy annually with an agent and adjust coverage as your property or local risks change.
Consider Security Upgrades as Investment Features
Security features are not just about protection. They’re also some pretty marketable amenities that attract tenants, thus reducing vacancy and avoiding turnover. You can promote security features in your listings, by sharing details such as:
Smart home with keyless entry
Onsite security camera and updated lighting
Secure, gated community with private access codes
These things are attractive to tenants who are looking for their next home and prioritize security.
Plan for Vacancies and Property Security
We have mentioned this already, but vacant properties are especially vulnerable to break-ins, squatting, and vandalism. Protect your property and increase security with these tips:
Keep lights on timers and collect mail or flyers regularly.
Continue lawn care and maintenance as usual.
If possible, stage the home to look occupied or ask neighbors to keep an eye on it.
Install temporary security cameras or use vacancy monitoring services.
Vacancy is a high-risk period and protecting your empty property can prevent expensive damage and delays in getting new tenants moved in.
Investing in rental property security is necessary in the protection of your property’s value and condition. It’s also the best way to create an environment where tenants feel safe, where damages and risks are minimized, and where your long-term financial stability is protected.
Improving your rental property security leads to lower vacancy, higher tenant satisfaction, less liability, fewer emergencies, and a strong return on investment. Prioritize the safety of your property and your tenants. You’ll find it helps with profitability and with peace of mind.
Don't leave your investment vulnerable. Start securing your rental with the help of a talented and experienced local property management team. That’s us, at Doud Realty Services. We make the protection of your property a priority.
Whether you have questions about how to keep your own rental home safe or you’re curious about our services, please contact us at Doud Realty Services, Inc. We provide expert property management in Norfolk, Portsmouth, Hampton Roads, as well as surrounding areas such as Virginia Beach, Suffolk, Chesapeake, and Newport News.