The festive season is a time for joy, celebration, and (unfortunately) an increased risk of crime. As a property manager or landlord, your commitment to your tenants' safety doesn't take a holiday. Christmas is a prime time for burglaries, as vacant homes and high-value gifts present attractive targets.
Keeping your properties and tenants safe requires a collaborative effort. Here’s how you can prepare your properties and remind tenants to stay security-conscious to significantly reduce the risk of break-ins this Christmas.
A darkened, empty house is an invitation to criminals. Even the simple illusion of occupancy can be the most effective deterrent.
Encourage tenants to use low-cost timer switches for lights when they’re out. Setting lamps in different rooms to switch on and off at staggered intervals, particularly during peak evening hours, gives the convincing impression that someone is home.
Advise tenants to connect lights and perhaps a radio to these timers to create a realistic pattern of activity. This will make the property look lived in even when tenants are visiting family or taking a winter break.
While keeping tenants vigilant is important, the physical security of your property is your responsibility. The festive season is an excellent reminder to inspect and enhance these basic defenses.
Now is the time to upgrade security measures by ensuring all door and window locks, gates, and fences are in good condition and fully functional. A broken latch or a rusty gate is a security vulnerability.
Consider installing security lighting for added protection, particularly in back gardens, side passages, and entrances. Motion-activated floodlights are a cost-effective way to deter intruders and increase safety for tenants returning late.
Also, suggest that tenants arrange for any letts or parcels to be held or collected by a trusted neighbour to prevent an overflowing letterbox, which is a tell-tale sign of an empty home.
Want even more tips? We have another blog all about security for you for every month of the year.
Most importantly, open communication between you and your tenants is key to security, especially when properties are empty for long stretches of time. Encourage tenants to inform landlords or property managers if they’ll be away for an extended period. This would mean you would need to define “extended period” in your communication with them.
As part of any communication, ensure your tenants have your (or your maintenance team's) emergency contact information readily available, even if they are away.
Scheduled property checks should go ahead to ensure everything remains in order. This is invaluable for addressing issues like burst pipes, heating failures, or signs of attempted entry before they become major problems.
Promoting security during the Christmas season is an essential part of responsible property management. A secure property means happier tenants and fewer costly, stressful insurance claims. Make safety a tradition this year.