11 Essential Apartment Security Tips & Home Security Every Renter Should Know

Are you a renter looking for essential tips to secure your apartment and keep your home safe? If so, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, we’re going to cover 11 essential apartment security tips & home security solutions that every renter should be aware of. From basic security measures to more advanced solutions such as video surveillance, we’ll cover it all and help you keep your home secure and protected. So, if you’re looking for apartment security tips and home security solutions, read on!

What is Apartment Security, and What are the different Types of Threats That Renters Face?

While apartment security is an important issue for people who are renting, it may also be a concern for people who are thinking of renting.

Renters should think about which type of apartment security they require. Here are some things to consider when securing an apartment:

Protection from intruders:

• • Apartment security systems, if installed, can protect against intruders.

• • Apartment Security fences can protect against intruders.

• • Apartment security doors can protect against intruders, including physical and burglary threats.

• • Security locks can help protect against intruders.

• • Video surveillance can help protect against intruders. For renters who do not have their own security on their apartments, they can request the landlord to install some.

Safety from natural disasters:

• • Storms can cause damage to apartments. People who live in an earthquake-prone zone or a hurricane-prone zone need to be concerned about protecting their apartments from high winds, floods, and earthquakes.

• • Fire can spread quickly in an apartment, and renters need to take steps to protect their apartments from fire hazards. Renters need to have smoke alarms, fire extinguishers, and fire alarms installed.

• • Renters should be concerned about carbon monoxide poisoning. If their apartment has a gas-powered appliance, renters should be aware of the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.

Protection from strangers or uninvited guests:

• • Strangers and uninvited guests can injure renters or their guests.

• • Strangers and uninvited guests can steal or damage property.

• • Strangers and uninvited guests can cause property damage. Renters should lock their doors and windows.

Protection from robbery or burglary:

Burglary is a threat that renters need to address. Renters can protect themselves by renting a house or an apartment that has installed security doors, windows, locks, and security systems.

• • Protection from external threats:

• • Renters need to be aware of external threats, such as viruses and malware. They can protect themselves by using anti-viral software and firewalls.

Protection  from natural disasters:

• • Renters should also be aware of natural disasters that may affect their residences such as earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes. Renters should take precautions such as having an emergency plan in place, obtaining insurance, and making sure their homes are in good repair. 

Learn the 11 Essential Apartment Security Tips & Home Security Every Renter Should Know – from Security Cameras, Door Locks, Wireless Alarm Systems & More

As a renter, you may be looking for ways to improve your home security. With the right tips and precautions, you can protect yourself and your belongings from potential criminals. Here are 11 essential apartment security tips that every renter should know.

 1. Keyless Entry Systems: Using either RFID, Bluetooth, or WiFi, keyless entry systems allow you to unlock doors from inside your home or your car. It’s an easy way to grant access to guests, family, and babysitters without wasting precious seconds on keys. We liked using August Door Locks and Doorsense (optional) because they let us use either a card or our phone to unlock our door, so we didn’t have to carry around extra keys.

2. 24/7 Monitoring: Make sure you’re protected when you’re away on vacation or at work. At $10-20 a month, 24/7 monitoring is still well worth the investment, especially compared to the cost of a burgled home.

3. Video Monitoring: While video monitors and cameras don’t prevent burglaries, they can help police catch burglars in the act. Our favorites either connected to an app or had a live feed that we could access from our phones.

4. Smart Lighting: Although smart lighting won’t prevent burglars from entering your home, bright lights can scare thieves away if they think someone is at home. Plus, smart lightings like Philips Hue and Konka not only lets us customize our lighting, but also connects them to motion sensors so we could control them remotely.

5. Smart Locks: Smart locks come in a variety of forms, but our favorites were August Smart Locks and Kwikset Smart Locks, which both allowed us to grant and revoke access via our smartphones. Plus, our August lock lets us grant access to other August users, so we could give our friends, family, and house sitters access without opening our doors.

6. Motion Sensors: Motion sensors allowed us to turn lights on and off automatically when we entered and exited a room. By moving our motion sensors, we could also turn off the lights when we weren’t home to save even more energy.

7. Alarm System: The apartment alarm system not only alerted us to any intruders but also automatically contacted the police. This gave us peace of mind knowing that if someone tried to break in, we would have help right away.

8. Surveillance Cameras: Surveillance cameras could be set up in our home to monitor the interior and exterior of our home. This allowed us to check on our home when we were away, as well as catch any suspicious activity.

9. Video Doorbells: Video doorbells allowed us to see who was at our door without having to open it. We could also talk to them through the doorbell and even unlock the door if we wished.

10. Smart Locks: Smart locks allowed us to control access to our home with just the tap of a finger. We could lock and unlock our doors from anywhere with our smartphones, giving us increased security and convenience.

11.  Smart Thermostats: Smart thermostats allowed us to control the temperature in our home from anywhere. We could also program our thermostats to adjust the temperature automatically, saving us money on our energy bills. 

Don’t Leave Home Without It: Door Security Bar, Door Jammers, Security Lights, and Window Sensors for Renter Home Security 

You are renting your home, and your landlord is allowing you access to your unit without any restrictions. However, you don’t feel safe knowing that someone can easily enter your home and rob you. Instead, you are adamant about installing a security system to secure your place. But how can you do so? Here are a few security tips for rental units from real users.

Door Security Bars

A door security bar, as the name suggests, is maybe one of the most basic security devices you can add to your home. You can put it on top of a regular door or on sliding doors and windows.

You can install it easily inside the door so that you don’t need to drill new holes in your door. While the door security bars are sturdy, the arms can move. So, if you install it on a door, make sure the arms aren’t too close to the handle.

Many door security bars come with an alarm that goes off whenever someone tries to force their way inside. If you are away, don’t worry–you can also lock the door from your smartphone.

Security Lights

The security light is a motion sensor light. You can install it anywhere where you need extra security, such as in front of your driveway or in your backyard.

For extra security, you can wire the security light to a light sensor. If the light sensor detects there is low light, then it will turn on the light automatically, and vice versa.

However, you must keep in mind that security lights can get expensive. There is no point in installing a security light if you do not need it.

Door and Window Sensors

A door and window sensor is another motion sensor. It will easily sense any motion or vibration that comes through your windows and doors. However, you need to have the sensor installed on top of your door and windows to avoid false alarms.  Once the sensor is installed, if anyone tries to break into your home, it will trigger an alarm and notify you immediately. You can also connect the sensor to your home security system for extra protection.

Door and window sensors are a great way to boost your home security. They are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. They are also much more discreet than security cameras and lights.

Door Jammers

Door jammers are a great way to add extra security to your doors. Door jammers are devices that are installed at the bottom of your door. They will jam the door shut, making it almost impossible to open. This is a great way to prevent intruders from entering your home and can be used in conjunction with other security systems to ensure your home is completely secure.

Door jammers are relatively inexpensive and easy to install. They can be used on both interior and exterior doors to provide an extra layer of protection. They are also a great way to keep children and pets safe inside the home.

The Benefits of Installing a Home Security System in Your Apartment Complex

Many people enjoy living inside an apartment complex. It gives you a sense of community, security, and privacy, allowing you to spend time with your family and focus on your work (or school). But as you move out of your parent’s home and into an apartment, you may feel anxious using those long stretches of your driveway to get home without someone watching you.

When you live in an apartment, you have two options:

You Can Drive Yourself: If you care about your safety and security, we recommend investing in a home security system. Apartment complexes typically have security cameras, but there are also a variety of reasons why you should get a security system:

• • A security system lets you control who has access to your home.

• • You can receive alerts whenever someone enters your home.

• • Video monitoring gives you peace of mind when you and your family are home.

• • You can set up video surveillance to monitor your home remotely when you’re away from home.

• • Professional monitoring means that you can rest easy at night and know someone’s watching over your home when you’re at work.

• • A monitored security system can even lower your insurance premium!

• • You’ll never feel completely safe leaving your apartment complex, but installing a home security system can make you feel like it’s a little safer when you’re home.

You Can Drive Yourself: Consider a standard car (without a security system) as protection. It’s better than nothing, but you won’t get the same level of security as a monitored security system. Your apartment complex likely already has a surveillance system in place, but many people don’t feel secure in this sense and opt to drive themselves anyway.

If you drive yourself, a home security system is a surefire way to keep your home safe. With professionally monitored systems, you can rest easier knowing that someone is there watching out for you and monitoring your home’s security. Plus, the system can alert you if something suspicious is happening and can even lower your insurance premiums. 

What are the Different Types of Cameras, Sensors, and Door Jammers that Are Used in Apartment Buildings?

Most residential security systems are easy to install, require little investment, and provide a good basic level of protection against break-ins and burglaries. However, apartment security systems are often more complex and require more planning, preparation, and financial investment than your average residential security system.

Apartment security systems are often installed in large multi-occupant apartment complexes, government buildings, and university complexes. These systems usually consist of multiple types of security technology, placed strategically throughout the complex. But, unlike residential security systems, apartment security systems are designed to prevent crime rather than alert you to an incident after it has occurred.  Common types of security technology used in apartment complexes include:

• • Video cameras: Video cameras are the most common type of security technology used in apartment complexes. These cameras can be placed strategically throughout the complex and monitored remotely to detect suspicious activity or intruders.

• • Access control systems: Access control systems allow property managers to control who has access to the complex, and when. These systems are usually integrated with video cameras, so they can be used to quickly identify and address potential threats.

• • Burglar alarms: Burglar alarms can alert property managers or police to intruders on the property. They can also be used to alert residents of potential threats.

• • Motion sensors: Motion sensors can detect movement within the apartment complex and alert property managers or police to any suspicious activity.

• • Emergency call boxes: Emergency call boxes are often installed in apartment complexes and allow residents to call for help in an emergency. 

Consider Professional Monitoring – Professional Monitoring of Your Security System Can Provide an Additional Layer of Security and Peace of Mind for Apartment Buildings

Many apartment buildings already employ security to protect their residents, but multifamily property owners may not realize that professional monitoring adds an additional layer of protection.

If an intruder is able to break into an apartment or is able to disable a tenant’s smart security system, professional monitoring helps alert property managers or tenants to this fact. Furthermore, professional monitoring can help keep apartment building managers informed about which tenants are arming their security systems, so property managers can alert residents should an intruder enter the building.

Providing additional peace of mind for tenants and building managers alike, professional monitoring offers peace of mind for multifamily building owners and their residents of apartment communities. Professional monitoring services can detect and respond to intrusions, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors, and other incidents that may occur in an apartment building.  Furthermore, many professional monitoring services can also provide property owners with access to remote video surveillance, allowing them to monitor their properties from anywhere.

What are Some of the Most Common Causes of Apartment Break-ins?

According to the National Crime Prevention Council, thieves tend to target apartments because they tend to be in less affluent neighborhoods, which means that their residents are frequently not home. They also tend to be easier to break into because most apartment dwellers either don’t have or don’t use deadbolt locks, security systems, and other security features. And because of the ease of access, burglars often try to commit a break-in in as little time as possible.

Burglars look for opportunities where a person will be away from the apartment. They try to look through windows to see if the curtains are drawn. They check to see if any furniture or driveways are empty. They make note of any vehicles that appear to be left out or if they see anything that is out of place, like a neighbor’s car in front of yours.

They also try to determine if you are home, and since many renters don’t put their names on their mailboxes, they can deduce this very easily. So, home burglaries are often crimes of opportunity. The best way to prevent an apartment from being targeted by thieves is to be aware of the signs of a potential break-in and to take steps to make your home as secure as possible.

You can make your apartment more secure by installing a deadbolt lock, installing an alarm system, and using exterior lighting. You should also keep your windows and doors locked at all times, even when you are home. Additionally, it is important to be aware of your surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police. Finally, you should also keep an up-to-date inventory of all items in your home, so that in the event of a burglary, you can easily provide it to the police for investigation.

Is It Easy To Install a Security System in Your Apartment?

In most cases, yes. Most apartments come with an electrical box that already has wires running through it, making it easy to connect to your security system.

However, most apartments do not come with a master alarm panel that controls all of the wirings; rather, they rely on the homeowner to handle the installation of their security system, including setting up master alarm panels, adding motion detectors, and more.

Still, there are a variety of ways to install security systems in apartments, including drilling holes into the walls or ceiling to create a central location for alarm components. Hopefully, your property manager is understanding if you decide to drill holes and violate your apartment’s warranty. 

For those who are renting, it is important to check with your landlord to make sure that installing a security system is allowed. Some landlords may require tenants to have additional insurance in order to install a security system. 

Conclusion

As we have seen, apartment renters need to be proactive in protecting their homes and possessions from uninvited guests and intruders. By following the 11 essential apartment security tips, you can help ensure the safety of your family and belongings.

If you are in the market for a DIY security system, then look no further than Xcessory Zone. From smart doorbells and surveillance cameras, to motion sensors and alarm systems, Xcessory Zone has everything you need to secure your home and keep your family safe.

Take action right now and secure your home with Xcessory Zone. Don’t let another day go by without taking the necessary precautions to keep your family and property safe. After all, a secure home is a happy home!