Rental Property Security Upgrades: How to Protect Your Units Without Disrupting Tenants

Nobody wants to live in a home they don’t feel safe in. By upgrading the security of your rental property, you give your tenants the peace of mind that their house is protected, which is a win-win for everyone involved. Your tenants are happier in their rental property, and you see less turnover and void periods. 

The tricky part here is upgrading your security when you already have tenants. How can you implement new measures to deter home invasions and keep your tenants safe without disturbing them? That’s where our tips come in.

Learn how to secure a rental property with minimal disturbance and discover best practices for rental security.

Secure Your Windows

There are over 3000 burglaries every day, with many gaining access through windows. If you want to secure a property, this is a smart place to start.

Houses with large windows are a prime target for home invasions, giving potential burglars easier access to the property and providing views into the home. Luckily, your windows can be easily secured with minimal disturbance to your tenants.

Start by ensuring you have working locks fitted on all your frames. This is super quick and simple to do and instantly improves the security of your rental property.

Next up, obstruct the view into the property by installing suitable curtains and blinds to reduce visual access. It’s a great idea to choose thick, thermal fabrics that are impossible to see through.

If the house faces onto public land (like a busy high street or road), explore options that can be used during the day, too, like sheer curtains or made-to-measure blinds. These bring privacy while allowing natural daylight to filter into the home.

For an added layer of protection, discreet motion sensors or alarms can alert tenants to attempted entry without changing how they use the space. They’re affordable, easy to install, and offer peace of mind without impacting day-to-day living.

Install a Doorbell Camera

Setting up a full-scale security system takes a lot of time (and money!). If you’re looking for rental upgrades that provide exterior monitoring of the property, but without disturbing your tenants, consider a doorbell camera.

These work by adding a camera to your doorbell that activates whenever someone approaches the door. They record movement and send real-time notifications to your tenants, so they can check when someone is by their property.

A lot of these cameras also have the option to speak to the visitor, which is handy if your tenants need to check who they are.

Doorbell cameras have become a huge hit over the past couple of years. They’re super simple to install and use, and require very little maintenance, making them a fantastic option for rental security.

Display Signs as Deterrents

Another alternative to a security system is to add security signs to the exterior of the property. These are quick to install and work effectively as deterrents, making it less likely that your home will be a target.

You might, for instance, install a sign that states your property is covered by CCTV and fully alarmed. While this isn’t necessarily true, many potential criminals won’t want to take the risk, making it a non-invasive way to boost your property’s security.

Other signs you could display on your property include:

• Posters for the neighbourhood watch.
• Brands of security systems.
• Large or aggressive dog warnings.

The trick here is to ensure your signs look believable. We recommend sticking to one or two, maximum, and investing in high-quality designs for better authenticity.

Improve Rent Collection Security

Not all aspects of rental security have to do with the property itself. With a whole lot of rental tasks now completed online, it’s so important you have secure systems in place to keep both your and your tenants’ data safe.

This includes when collecting rent. An unsecured payment system opens you up to the possibility of hackers intercepting payments, stealing your data, and putting your income at risk. This is where a smart, secure platform like RentRedi is essential.

Upgrading your rent collection with RentRedi is a stress-free process that’ll keep tenant disruption to a minimum. Once you’ve moved across, your tenants can make payments online or via our handy mobile app, and you’ll both have the peace of mind that your money and data are safe from theft.

Add Motion Sensor Lighting

Placing a few external lights around the property is unlikely to disrupt your tenants, and can go a long way when it comes to security.

In particular, it’s advisable to opt for motion sensor lights. These activate when movement is detected, and are far more likely to surprise and deter any potential burglars than lights that are constantly on. They also alert anyone at home to movement outside the property, helping them act quickly if there’s suspicious activity.

Another perk of motion sensor lighting is that it’s an energy-efficient choice, which could help you secure the OK from your tenants. 

To minimise disruption, hire a professional to ensure quick, efficient installation. It’s also essential that you position lights away from areas where they’ll be constantly activated, like by a road. Keep clear of placing them by bedroom windows, too, where their brightness could become a nuisance.

Reinforce Entry Doors

Most break-ins happen through a forced door, so adding a little extra security here can make your property a lot safer. 

One of the easiest, least disruptive improvements is installing a door reinforcement plate. These strengthen the area around the lock and hinges, making it far harder for someone to kick the door in. They take minutes to install, don’t require changing keys, and tenants won’t notice any difference in everyday use.

You can also fit security hinges, which prevent the door from being forced open. Again, installation is quick, easy, and unlikely to interfere with the tenant’s routine.

Final Thoughts

As a landlord, you’re going to have a lot of tasks on your plate. If you’re currently upgrading the security of your property, make sure you’re reducing the strain of repetitive admin by investing in the right software. 

RentRedi is created specifically for landlords, making everything from secure rent collection to tenant screening more organised and efficient. Learn more about RentRedi today.