For many of us, Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Unfortunately, the same is also true for burglars. It is so important, therefore to keep your rented home safe this time of year. Especially when traveling.
Because, while Christmas might be the ideal time to let your hair down and visit the family for a few days, they know they and will be looking out for empty homes.
Burglaries in the UK double from November to December according to research commissioned by Verisure, Europe’s leading provider of monitored security solutions. The research also found that most Christmas burglaries take only a few minutes and happen during the week, with the dark nights providing the perfect cover.
If you live in a rented property, you might feel as if you don’t have to worry as much. But there’s only so much a landlord can take care of while you’re away. They probably have dozens of other properties to keep an eye on too.
With that in mind, here are 5 tips to help tenants protect their rented homes while they’re away celebrating with their loved ones.
Invest in Contents Insurance
As a renter, it’s the contents of your rented home rather than the home itself that you should be worried about. As such, you should seriously consider taking out tenants content insurance.
This will not only ensure your home contents in the event of a burglary but will also cover accidental damage to any of the landlord’s items within the property. It is generally transferable between properties too.
This type of insurance is optional but necessary to protect your rented home from more than just burglary. It will cover most unexpected damages also.
Get Friendly With Your Neighbors
Just because you’re leaving for the holiday doesn’t mean your neighbors are. Make a point to let your neighbors (only the ones your trust, of course) know that you’ll be away.
Ask them to be suspicious of anyone lingering around your house.
Protect Your Rental Home
We don’t just mean ensuring that your doors and windows are locked, of course. We also mean lighting your house up like a Christmas tree.
Indeed, if you could put up Christmas lights and have them set to come on at a certain time every night it would be ideal. Investing in a security light is also a wise move.
Arrange for Parcel Pickup
There is no clearer sign to a burglar that nobody is home over Christmas than a big parcel being left for days on the front porch.
So, if you have any parcels due to be delivered, arrange with your neighbors or the parcel delivery service to have them taken care of.
Get a Security System To Keep Your Rented Home Safe
Home security systems are not as overpriced as they once were and could be a solid investment. You can even track modern systems remotely from your smartphone and you might even be able to convince your landlord to pay for it!
Having a security system ensures your rented home is safe when away.