Vacant properties are the easiest target for criminals and are often subject to theft, vandalism, and break-ins. That’s why protecting them is as important as your occupied home. If you don’t want to see your vacant property broken into or damaged, follow the tips below.
If your property has been vacant for some time now, it’s prone to several risks. You need to make sure that your unoccupied property isn’t an easy target for thieves or burglars. You need to maintain the home’s appearance to create an impression that the property is being watched or lived in.
You need to properly secure your property, and for that, doors and locks need reinforcement. All doors and windows need to be secured with strong hardware.
If you purchase the property or a tenant just moved out, get all the locks changed. You never know how many copies of your key could be floating around.
Keep in mind that sometimes even good locks don’t hold up against a door being kicked down. Therefore, it would be a smart idea to install metal door jams.
It’s not a bad idea to become close friends with your neighbor. They can keep an eye on your property in your absence. That means being on good terms with your neighbors can be tremendously advantageous for your property’s safety.
You can discuss your renovation plans with them and let them know your intentions of finding good buyers or renters. They can inform you if they see anything suspicious.
There’s nothing more important than stopping by your vacant property every once in a while and checking things out yourself. A lot can happen, even in a short period of time. For example, tree branches can fall, your grass can be overgrown, a pipe could be leaking, etc. That’s why it’s best to frequently monitor your property.
A good idea would be installing a ring doorbell or other security devices so you could monitor the home even when you’re away.
When we say “exterior”, it includes the yard of your vacant property. Maintaining the home’s exterior appearance is extremely important to keep it safe from thieves or invaders.
Make sure your grass and bushes are trimmed so people can’t hide in them. Trim shrubs and trees, empty the mailbox, and don’t let newspapers pile up in the yard. Failing to do so can indicate to burglars that the home is empty.
Your vacant property must have a well-lit exterior as it discourages burglars from entering the property late at night. Install motion-sensor floodlights in the front and back of your house.
You can even put some lights on timers inside and outside that can turn on certain hours of the day. If the home appears to have activity going on, the less likely someone will try to break in.
One of the most important thing you can do is install a security system. That way if someone were to break in you would know about it. Thieves will not stick around if an alarm starts going off alerting the police and close neighbors.
You need to use layered security if you want to protect your asset. Consider implementing the tips mentioned above to address your security concerns and prevent vandalism or theft on your property.