As a renter you are probably loathe to spend your personal money to secure the rental property that you live in but don’t actually own. Having said that, it’s your property that is contained inside and if you get robbed, it’s your stuff getting stolen.
Renters suffer theft at a higher rate than homeowners but there are home security alarm options available that suit both renters in houses and apartments. You can also spend a small amount of money on security items protecting windows and doors that you can take with you to your next property to help protect against theft. Further covering yourself with comprehensive renters insurance protects you in the event that you do suffer a break-in.
Here’s how to protect yourself as a renter specifically.
Speak With Your Landlord Before You Move In
One of the things that drives me crazy is being at a hotel with a sliding patio door especially on the ground floor. I know there’s about a 99% chance when I walk over to the patio door for the first time, I can yank it open because the lock doesn’t work. Almost. Every. Time.
If you are taking possession of a rental home, condo, or apartment, check for security weaknesses like broken window locks, weak door locks, wobbly door handles and of course patio or sliding doors that don’t latch properly. Get the landlord to agree in writing to fix them before you sign the lease.
Renters Insurance
So you’ve already signed the lease and are moving in. Before you move in, get renters insurance to cover the replacement cost of your stuff. Assuming you don’t have a furnished place, you’re probably going to bring some items into the unit that have value like a bed, tables, chairs, tv and other electronics. Not to mention your clothes, jewelry, other personal items and effects.
But there are other things that a good renters insurance will cover.
It will actually offer three types of protection:
Personal Property: As mentioned above your personal effects like furniture, appliances, clothing, etc will typically be covered. Be sure to ask about expensive jewelry and things of that nature to ensure they are covered, too. Ensure you get a level of insurance that adequately covers the value of your property.
Liability: If someone is injured on the property you may be held liable. Your dog bites someone. You’re found to be liable when someone falls inside your house. Liability lawsuits can be very expensive so ensure you have an adequate amount. Depending on where you live and lawsuit costs, decent liability coverage may start at $1 million and up.
Other living expenses: Typically this could include expenses incurred if the property is uninhabitable and you need to live elsewhere for a period of time ie. in a hotel.
Renters get robbed at a higher rate than homeowners do and there are a few reasons why. The linked article discusses this in more detail.
Installing Security Equipment
You need to be careful here because your lease may specify what you can and can’t do within the rental unit and your landlord may need to be consulted if any work involves drilling and physically installing something.
You could also consider a doorbell camera or another style set up outside the house but again you might need permission to do so.
Having said that, plenty of portable cameras and hidden cameras and mini cams are widely available that can be set up in rooms, by the front door etc. They won’t protect against the actual break-in but may help you identify the person who did it.
Check out my page on Condo and Apartment Security Systems which discusses security options for those types of residences but can also be suitable for rental homes as they don’t involve a contract.
Cheap Fixes
Got a sliding door? Get a long steel rod or long block of wood to fit on the door track to prevent it from being opened. A Charley Bar is another name for a device that prevents a sliding door from opening especially when the lock latch is weak. You can use smaller rods to stick in window frames to prevent them from being opened. You can pick up a block of wood or metal rod from a hardware store for cheap.
You can purchase door sensors that use adhesive to stick on the door frame so when someone opens the door a chime goes off. This won’t protect against a break-in but let you know if someone is trying to sneak into your house when you’re home. Less than $20 for some sets is all it will cost.
Adhesive door and window alarms are removable, cheap home security for renters that you stick on the window sills. You activate the alarm similar to a more expensive one so if someone opens the window to break in, a ear shattering alarm goes off. Typically someone won’t stick around if an alarm is triggered. Not as good as more expensive alarm system, but may work if you’re on a budget.
Deadbolt lock. A small lock that is fastened next to the deadbolt on the inside of the house. If someone tries to pick the lock from the outside or even use the key that they have in their possession, the lock prevents the deadbolt from turning to the unlock position.
Take your garage door opener remote inside. Doesn’t cost you a cent to store your garage door opener inside the house. This is especially true if you leave your car outside. If someone breaks the window of your vehicle, they can open your garage and loot your contents.
Summary
Cheap home security for renters can help you add some protection to your rental unit without sinking a large cost. If you could only add cheap options due to your budget, securing the main entry points like doors and lower floor windows are the main ones. Of course, your landlord should be the first line of contact and they should do this for you.
While your landlord may not agree to this, you could enquire about adding a security alarm system. If they won’t pay for one or even split the cost, a cost effective option with no contract typically starts at around $15/month which is not terribly expensive. Abode Smart Security and Canary Home Security are two options to consider.
Short of that, ensure you have a comprehensive renter’s insurance – which your landlord might require you to have anyways – to protect your contents and protect you against liabilities that you might be held responsible for.