4 tips to ward off burglars

By Mike Wheatley | March 2, 2018

No matter what part of the real estate industry you work in, be it residential homes, property management or something else, you know how important proper security measures are for your tenants and investors.

A recent report from home security firm Ooma says that renters are 85 percent more likely to become victims of burglars than homeowners are. As such, it might be a good idea to help try and put your rental clients at ease, which can be done with the following tips to help improve home security.

1. Assess the property for weak spots:

First up is to carefully audit the home or building for any weak spots in security that could allow a burglar to gain entry easily. For example, things like fire escapes, in-window air conditioning units and dark entrance ways are often susceptible to break ins, Ooma says. One of the best ways to secure these weak spots is with motion sensor alarms.

2. Secure the windows and doors:

Securing the ground-level windows and doors is always a good idea, providing a simple and effective way to give your tenants peace of mind. One of the best ways to secure these entry points is by adding a security bar or a metal rod that can block doors and windows from being opened. It might also be a good idea to place motion sensor alarms at these points as well.

3. Install security cameras

Video cameras are probably the most effective way of identifying burglars, and that should put many off from breaking in in the first place, Ooma says. Moreover, even non-working cameras can deter people from breaking into a property, as they won’t know if they’re out of order or not.

4. Monitor the property yourself

These days it’s possible to monitor a property even while you’re not physically present at the location itself. For example, many DIY home security systems come with an app that allows you to monitor a property remotely and receive notifications when a motion sensor or camera has been triggered.