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How to keep your property secure over winter

It’s worth noting that tenants who pay their own utility bills may take issue with having to cover the cost of lights that are left on or switched on while they’re out. Any security measures that will contribute to tenants’ utilities expenses should be discussed with the tenant in advance.

Security camerasWhen we imagine security cameras, we tend to think of the bulky CCTV cameras we see out and about. But home surveillance cameras are actually much slicker and less of an eyesore than they used to be.

What’s more, most of them are easy to install, can be integrated with smart home systems and can be operated using mobile apps. Security cameras are a sure fire deterrent for thieves. Even if they manage to get into the property, they may be convicted if they can be identified from the footage. That’s a major risk factor. And since many UK homes don’t have cameras, why would you choose to burgle one that does?

Similarly to the point above, some tenants may feel that home surveillance - even on the outside of the property - is an intrusion of their privacy. So landlords should ensure that tenants are happy with this technology being used before installing anything, and make sure that any new tenants are aware of it before they move in.

Another thing to consider when installing modern ‘smart home’ technology is the cybersecurity risk.

It’s no good installing a security system to protect your home from thieves if that same technology can be exploited by cybercriminals. You can find tips on how to safely install and use ‘smart home’ technology in our blog.

Personal possessions

Online Christmas shopping has become the norm. Savvy burglars look out for parcels left on doorsteps or hidden in front gardens. Keeping deliveries out of burglars’ sight will prevent them from being stolen. Tenants should also avoid encouraging the postman to leave deliveries in the front garden if they’re not in.

As a general rule of thumb, tenants should avoid displaying valuable electronics such as laptops, phones and televisions in downstairs windows. A television is too large for a burglar to make off with, they tend to prefer smaller items, but it signals that there may be other items inside which are worth breaking in for. Landlords may also choose to provide tenants with a safe to keep their most valuable possessions in.

Landlords should also remind tenants that their landlord insurance doesn’t cover the tenant’s belongings. To make sure that those belongings are covered in the event of a burglary, tenants should be advised to purchase contents insurance and keep an up-to-date inventory of all their covered belongings.

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02 How to keep your property secure over winter 03

Maybe thieves feel emboldened by the long nights. Perhaps it’s easier for them to spot empty houses. Or maybe it’s the stash of presents under the Christmas tree at the end of the year. Whatever the reason, the number of burglaries increase by a third after the clocks go back in October.

So as we move into winter, what should you be doing to prevent your rental property from being targeted?

Understanding the burglar’s mindsetVery few burglaries are impulsive or opportunistic. Most burglars will stake out a home or neighbourhood before trying to gain entry. Which makes sense, when you think about it. Burglary is risky. The maximum sentence is up to 14 years. Breaking into homes on a whim is pretty likely to get you caught.

With this in mind, the object of protection against burglary isn’t so much to prevent people from gaining access. If they really want to, they can smash a window and climb through fairly easily. It’s about making the task seem as high-risk and low-reward as possible. The more security measures you put in place and the less accessible you make your property seem the more likely the burglar is to think twice and walk away.

Alarms Burglar alarms are a great deterrent. They’re purposefully bulky and easy to spot.

Homeowners usually fix them to the front and the back of their homes to ward off anyone thinking about breaking in.

Alarms can emit both sound and light when they go off, the prospect of which is often enough to prevent any burglar from trying their luck. Some alarm systems can also notify the local police force when a break-in has been attempted, which is useful for isolated properties in rural areas.

Automatic lightsBurglars prefer to operate under cover of darkness, making winter the ideal time to look for targets and break-in, this is especially true when the clocks change and nights get longer.

Motion-triggered security lighting can be set up to switch on whenever anyone approaches the property. Burglars hate drawing attention to themselves, which makes putting them in the spotlight an effective deterrent. It can also alert people inside the property.

Burglars pay attention to lighting inside the home as well - specifically, whether or not the lights are on. If all the lights are off, a burglar can be pretty sure the home is empty. For this reason, homeowners will often have their lighting on a timer which intermittently switches the lighting on and off at set intervals. Smart home systems such as Nest and Hive also allow to you operate lighting remotely and set up cycles to switch lighting on and off in this way.

Burglaries peak over the winter months - here’s how to keep your property safe

You might have thought that theft and break-ins would increase over the summer, when doors and windows are left open and homeowners spend more time out and about. But according to our data, claims for theft and break-ins drop away from May to September and peak during the winter months.

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04 How to keep your property secure over winter 05

Locks and windowsWindows and doors are less likely to be left open over the winter, when tenants are trying to keep the heat in. But that won’t stop burglars from trying to enter.

If you’ve followed the advice above, chances are any would-be thieves will already have been deterred. However, securing doors and windows with high-quality, modern locks is an absolute must. External properties such as sheds and garages should also be secured with high-quality padlocks.

Keys to all locks should be provided for tenants when they move in and landlords should advise tenants on how to manage the keys to the property. Tenants should keep track of how many they have and note if any go missing. If a key goes missing or is lost, the locks should be replaced as soon as possible and new keys cut. Some landlords also choose to replace the locks at the end of each tenancy, to prevent previous tenants from gaining access.

Windows that are on the ground or first floor and can be reached from ground level or by climbing should be fitted with additional security features such as a shoot bolts or a multi-locking system. These are internal mechanisms that are usually out of sight, but provide a valuable secondary locking mechanism. If these can’t be fitted, then key-operated window locks should be installed as a bare minimum.

DoorsEvery property has a front door, but the security of those doors can vary a lot. Properties with cheap, flimsy or outdated doors are much more likely to be targeted than those with sturdy, high-quality doors with modern locking systems and added precautions such as letterbox shields.

Locks are a key area of focus. Five lever mortice deadlocks are usually recommended, you can also install hinge bolts for added peace-of-mind. It’s worth remembering that some insurers are very specific about the minimum requirements for locks on the property. You wouldn’t want to invalidate your cover because your locks aren’t up to scratch.

Attractive glass panels may look nice, but they can become a security risk. Replacing ordinary glass panels with laminated glass is a good idea. You may also want to install a letterbox grill to prevent thieves from reaching through the letterbox to pinch your house keys.

Perhaps most importantly, make sure your tenants know how to lock the front door. There are countless different locks available on the market and they may not have used one like yours before. It’s no good investing in quality security measures if your tenants don’t know how to use them.

Tenant educationHelping tenants to keep your property and their belongings safe from break-ins over long, chilly winters requires balance. Tenants don’t want landlords meddling in their personal affairs, and some security measures such as home surveillance systems may be seen as a bit intrusive. On the other hand, landlords may know their property and the area better than their tenants, making them more aware of the risks. As ever, the best way to manage property security is by maintaining an open channel of communication with tenants.

It’s important that tenants understand how to use any security systems which are in place. This is particularly important for alarm systems. Unfamiliar users without the proper instructions are more likely to trigger the alarm system, which could result in a visit from the police.

No property can be 100 per cent safe from burglary. But following just one or two of the steps above will make your buy to let property seem like a less inviting proposition. As mentioned earlier, burglary prevention is all about maximising the risk and minimising the reward for the would-be burglar.

For more ideas on how to keep your property safe, read 10 ways landlords can reduce the chance of break-ins.

Landlord insurance is essential if you want to protect your property and investments. Hamilton Fraser Total Landlord Insurance offers comprehensive cover for landlords providing peace of mind that should the worst happen, you are covered.

For more guidance on preparing your property this winter please visit www.hamiltonfraser.co.uk/knowledge/winter-landlord-advice

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November 2019