If you’re a renter, securing your property—and, by extension, your valuables—can seem daunting. It’s important to have some basic security measures in place so you can get the peace of mind that comes with knowing your belongings are safe and secure. If you follow these top 9 security tips, you’ll give yourself peace of mind and protect your property from theft or damage when you’re out at work or running errands.
1. Keep your doors and windows locked at all times
The number one security tip is to keep your home or apartment secured at all times. If you’re away from home or on vacation, lock everything up and set up security alerts to alert you if there’s any break-in attempts. The added benefit of locking everything up is that even if someone does attempt a break-in, they might give up after just a few minutes when they find that you’ve locked your doors and windows.
2. Use high-quality locks
If you’re renting, make sure your property has high-quality locks. A good lock is one that cannot be picked or broken into without a key, so don’t settle for less than quality in terms of security. Consider getting extra keys made and keeping a copy in a secure place (like an encrypted USB drive). The same goes with garage doors and windows—use bolts instead of chains to add more security.
3. Get renters insurance
Landlords don’t typically insure their tenants’ belongings, which means that you could be liable for thousands of dollars in losses if something goes wrong. To protect yourself against floods, fires, theft, and vandalism—or to cover an accidental loss or a bit of bad luck (hello, broken water heater)—it’s smart to buy renters' insurance. And while renter's insurance can add up to $15 per month on top of your rent payment, investing in it is well worth it.
4. Embrace technology to improve security
It can be easy to feel as though you don’t have much control over your security, particularly if you live in an apartment building. However, there are a number of simple ways to empower yourself with security technology. Most smartphones today have access to a range of apps that can help deter criminals, and home automation and smart-home systems provide a number of intelligent security solutions that simply weren’t available ten years ago.
5. Ensure you know who your neighbors are
Many people who rent homes or apartments assume that their neighbors are always going to be friendly and upfront about suspicious activity, but that’s not always true. Get to know your neighbors and try to establish an open line of communication with them. If they feel they can trust you, they may be more willing to share details about unusual comings and goings at your building.
6. Know your landlord's plan in case of an emergency
Whether you live in a house or an apartment, it's crucial to know your landlord's plans in case of an emergency. It's also important to have a working smoke detector and a carbon monoxide detector in your home. Be sure to have an escape ladder as well as a fire extinguisher nearby. Also, be sure that anyone who lives in your home knows how to call 911 in the event of an emergency.
7. Become friends with your neighbors
Another simple security tip is to become friends with your neighbors. If you are getting to know your neighbors, they can report suspicious activity or be a sounding board when you're feeling unsafe. They will also be able to spot any strange activity in your building and let you know right away if anything is awry. In an ideal world, everyone would get along, but even if that's not possible, knowing who lives around you can do a lot to boost your sense of security.
8. Have a fire escape plan, in writing
People underestimate how important it is to have a written plan in case of an emergency. We recommend that people who live in apartments or rent houses write out and keep a fire escape plan with all members of their family, in addition to keeping a list of important phone numbers on hand. This is especially vital if you have children, who are less likely to remember an exit plan than adults.
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