How to Secure your buy-to-let Property: Checklists for Landlords

Your rental property is your investment and all investments need protecting. Making security a priority will give you and your tenants peace of mind. In the longer term, the more secure your property, the more money you will save.

Below are some considerations and checklists of things you and your tenants can and should do to reduce the likelihood of your property being damaged and burgled.

Security inventory

Before you start making any security improvements to your property conduct a security inventory.

In addition to the specific points mentioned below, as you walk around the interior and exterior of your property ask yourself the following questions.

• Can I identify any areas susceptible to vandalism, forced entry and other criminal activity?
• Does my property look well-maintained and cared for?
• Are there any climbing or hiding places?
• I've forgotten my keys, how long will it take me to gain access to the property?

An inventory is only of benefit if it is kept up to date so it is important that you inspect your property regularly and carry out all repairs and replacements as soon as they are required.

The property

There are many security measures you can put in place at your property - inside and out - to deter potential intruders.

Interior

1. Fit and ask your tenants to use a security alarm.
2. Fit additional security on the ground floor.
3. Hang curtains and fit blinds. Ask your tenants to open and close them regularly.
4. Provide and ask your tenants to use timer lights.
5. Install a key box. Ask your tenants to lock it and request that keys are not left near exterior doors.
6. Install a safe for your tenants' use.
7. Ask tenants not to keep valuable items on display.
8. Take photographs of contents.

Exterior

Doors and windows

1. Fit doubled glazed windows and doors with locks. Use laminated glass.
2. Opt for solid exterior doors rather than glazed. If glazed, use laminated glass.
3. Ensure exterior doors and frames are sound and suitable for external use.
4. Install door locks on the front door - preferably a five lever mortice deadlock. Alternatively, a rim automatic deadlock.
5. Fit metal door strips or metal reinforcement on the front door.
6. Fit a chain or door limiter to the front door.
7. Install a spy hole in the front door.
8. Fit a letter plate and a basket with the bottom removed.
9. Encourage your tenants to make sure that items cannot be reached via the letterbox.
10. Install a mortice sash lock and rack bolts on the back door and if glazed fit laminated glass from the inside.
11. Install mortice rack bolts and hinge bolts on French doors and use laminated glass.
12. Use locks and locking bolts on patio doors.
13. Ensure your tenants do not leave items within reach of cat flaps and dog flaps.
14. Ensure cat flaps and dog flaps are locked if there are no cats or dogs living in the house.
15. Ask tenants not to leave spare keys outside.

General

1. Install motion sensor lights at the front and back of the property.
2. Ensure gates and fences are secure and there are no gaps in the boundary.
3. Maintain shrubbery and trees.
4. Remove all tools and equipment from the garden.
5. Remove any items from the garden that could assist a burglar - either to force entry, cause damage or give burglars a 'leg up', e.g. tables, chairs, decorating implements, pieces of wood, etc.
6. Ensure outbuildings are locked and secure. Do they provide a means for burglars to get to higher ground? If so, are there any deterrent measures you can take?
7. Plant prickly plants and shrubs at the boundaries.
8. Install security bars and grilles on doors and windows.
9. Ensure the front door is visible and that there is nothing to hide an intruder.
10. Make sure that outsiders can't see into the hall from the front door.
11. Padlock ladders if they have to be stored outside and keep them out of sight.
12. Use anti-climb paint on drainpipes.

Neighbourhood and neighbours

Maintaining good relations with your neighbours and being aware of what's going on in your neighbourhood is an excellent way of keeping your buy-to-let property secure.

1. Consider joining a Neighbourhood Watch scheme.
2. Give your contact details to neighbours.
3. Communicate with your neighbours.
4. Ensure street lighting is working.
5. Fencing - ask your neighbours to maintain their boundary.

Other

There are some additional security measures you can take to protect your rental property.

1. Have a security budget.
2. Ensure previous tenants no longer have keys to the property.
3. Use property marking on contents.
4. Communal property. Ask tenants to be vigilant when allowing access to visitors. Advise tenants to be security conscious if leaving property such as bikes in communal areas.

Unoccupied property

If your property is vacant or the tenants are away you or a trusted individual can take a number of steps to help keep your property secure.

1. Collect post regularly.
2. Ensure curtains and blinds are opened and closed on a regular basis.
3. Use timer lights.
4. Leave a radio on a timer.
5. Disconnect the answer phone.
6. Park a car in the driveway.
7. Maintain gardens.

Insurance

Make sure that you and your tenants take out adequate insurance (such as buildings and contents insurance) and check that your landlord insurance policy meets your needs.

1. Are you covered for vacant periods?
2. What are the minimum security requirements?
3. Are outbuildings and contents included?

What you and your tenants can do in the event of a burglary

If the worst happens and your buy-to-let property is burgled, there are some things you and your tenants can do to assist in the investigation of the crime, minimise the impact it has on your lives and to try and prevent it from happening again.

1. If you or your tenants arrive at the property and think a burglary is underway, do not enter the house. Call 999 and then go to a different property.
2. If you or your tenants arrive at the property and it has been burgled, contact the local police.
3. Obtain a crime reference number from the police.
4. Do not touch or move anything until the crime has been investigated.
5. Inform your landlord insurance company.
6. Contact your letting agent.
7. Repair damage caused by forced entry.
8. Notify relevant institutions of any thefts, e.g. banks, credit card companies, passport agency, DVLA.
9. Contact Victim Support on 0845 30 30 900 if you feel you need to explore your emotions and/or need further advice.
10. Perform a security inventory and take steps to improve the security of your property.

Your property is only as safe as you and your tenants make it. It is worth taking the time to inspect your property for security weaknesses and spending the money on installing additional security measures to protect your investment.

Related articles:

Attracting and keeping tenants

• All Things Bright and Beautiful: Decorating Your Buy-to-Let Property
• Finders Keepers: A Landlord's Guide to Attracting (and Keeping) Tenants
• To Furnish or not to Furnish your Buy-to-Let Property?

Legal tips for landlords

• Identity Fraud: Relevance to Landlords and Steps to Take to Avoid Becoming a Victim
• Legal Know How for Landlords: A Landlord's Legal Obligations (Part One)
• Legal Know How for Landlords: A Landlord's Legal Obligations (Part Two)
• Asbestos: An Overview of a Landlord's Duties Under the Control of Asbestos Regulations 2006
• Undercover Criminals: Unspent Criminal Convictions and Buy-to-Let Insurance
• The Data Protection Act 1998 and Landlords
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Dealing with problem tenants

• Cannabis Farms: The Dangers and Tell-tale Signs for Landlords
• Dealing with Problem Tenants

General landlord information (DIY, Inventories and more..)

• Books for Landlords Covering Business, DIY and Tax
• Inventories for Landlords
• Useful Links for Landlords
• The Property Ombudsman
• Burst Water Pipes: Causes, Consequences and Precautionary Measures for Landlords and Tenants
• Flooding
• How to Secure your buy-to-let Property: Checklists for Landlords

Energy-saving tips for landlords and tenants

• Wrapping Up for Winter: Preparing Buy-to-Let Property for Cold Weather
• Energy-saving Tips for Landlords and Tenants

Financial tips for landlords

• A Landlord's Guide to Maximising Rental Income
• Financial Pressures for Landlords

Buying a buy-to-let property (auctions, location etc)

• Buy-to-Let - Ten Issues for Would-be Landlords to Consider
• Location, Location, Location... The 'Whys and Wherefores' of Location in the Buy-to-Let Property Market
• Going, Going, Gone... To You: A Landlord's Guide to Buying a Property at Auction
• Unoccupied Rental Property Issues

Insurance for landlords

• Key Things to Check on your Landlord Insurance Policy
• Public Liability Insurance for Landlords
• Rebuild Costs: What Landlords Need to Know

Using letting agents

• Advantages and Disadvantages of Using Letting Agents

Mortgage information for landlords

• Buy-to-Let Mortgage Considerations
• Consent to Let FAQs
• FSA Proposes to Regulate Buy-to-Let Mortgage Market

The information contained within this article is for general information purposes only, it does not constitute advice. Direct Line for Business endeavours to keep the information up to date and correct but does not make any representation or warranties of any kind about its completeness, accuracy, reliability or suitability. Any reliance you place on the information is strictly at your own risk. Direct Line for Business will not be liable for any direct or indirect loss or damage arising out of or in connection with the use of this information.