How to keep your property safe this summer How to keep your property safe this summer

How to keep your property safe this summer

  With the sea, sunshine, and happy holiday memories just around the corner, it’s time to prepare your property with a pillow of protection for when it stands empty.

No. 4727 from our magazine|2 min read| Published in Magazine on 21 May 2024 by our Marketing Team

As a landlord, your property can sometimes be empty, leaving it exposed to more danger and the possibility of a break-in. For landlords, it’s important to keep the property looking alive in between tenants. So, here’s some advice on how to keep the property looking alive when you’re on holiday or when it’s standing empty.

Postal deliveries 
When your property is standing empty or you’re on holiday, it is common that post and parcels can pile up outside, creating the impression of an empty property. To prevent this appearance, it’s important to ensure your post is either redirected to your neighbours or that a close friend or relative collects your post regularly. Leaving post and parcels to pile up can give burglars a clear target.

Social media
We get it. When you’re having a blast while away from home, it’s easy to share all your fun on social media. But by posting pictures and updates on social media, you can inform burglars that you aren’t on the property. This can make your home an easy target, so it is best to delay your social media posts until you return to the safety of your home. It is common for thieves to use social media as a tool to help them decide when to target properties, so try not to make this mistake.

Home security

By increasing your home security, you’ll be able to keep track of your home 24/7 when you’re away. By having security cameras, or even a live-monitoring doorbell, you can know if any movement is happening in or near your property. Through having a home alarm inside your property, you can allow the alarm company to register any movement, and then they can inform the police if there is no answer to alert them that it was you. There are also apps that allow you to monitor your property through cameras and turn your lights on and off.

Minimise valuables in sight
When you’re away from your property, you want to make sure it looks alive and liveable. This can be done by placing timers on lights and lampshades or by having someone live on the property (house sit) while you’re away.  However, be careful you don’t accidentally advertise your belongings in the windows, as this can encourage burglars and make your property a potential target. Don’t give burglars motivation; move your valuables out of sight before leaving your property.

Emergency contacts
When you are not always going to be around to protect your property, it is important to ensure your neighbours have your back. By getting to know your community, they can easily spot strangers wandering and identify burglars ahead of time. Having an emergency contact in place with a spare key allows the police to know who to contact if there are any issues when you aren’t near. Additionally, knowing you have a trustworthy emergency contact in place allows you to relax when you are away from your property.
Summer is the peak time for crime rates in the UK, with an increase occurring each year. Just implementing one of these suggestions could potentially deter burglars, reducing the chances of your property becoming a target. Ensure you have protected your property as a landlord or tenant, so you can feel relaxed when leaving your property behind.
 

Contact us today for more information on how to protect your property

This article was originally published by BriefYourMarket and is reproduced here with their permission.

For more company news and insights from Pygott & Crone, click here

Members of the Relocation Agent Network

Part of a network of agents

We work with other trusted estate agents across the nation

Latest news

Positive ripple effects: Why now is a good time for first time buyers?
Magazine | 20 January 2025

Positive ripple effects: Why now is a good time for first time buyers?

For many, buying a first home is one of the most exciting and significant milestones in life.

Selling with tenants in place: A guide for landlords and tenants 
Magazine | 20 January 2025

Selling with tenants in place: A guide for landlords and tenants 

Selling a property with tenants in place can be a complex process, but it can also offer significant benefits for both landlords and tenants when managed correctly.

Are you ready for the Renters’ Rights Bill?
Magazine | 20 January 2025

Are you ready for the Renters’ Rights Bill?

The landscape of renting in the UK is on the brink of significant change as the long-anticipated Renters' Rights Bill moves closer to becoming law.

Five things landlords need to know in 2025
Magazine | 20 January 2025

Five things landlords need to know in 2025

As the rental market continues to evolve, landlords must stay informed about the latest trends, regulations, and opportunities to remain competitive and successful.

Chat live

Chat live with a member of staff

Please provide your name and email address to continue.