For any host in the vacation rental sector, a break-in is perhaps one of the terrifying events ever. Averaging 2.5 million burglaries yearly in the US, 66% of which are house invasions.
As a host, you must not only stop your visitors from stealing but also safeguard and guard your rental against break-ins. Since you cannot monitor a long-distance rental property from your location, you must exercise even greater caution.
How Can Hosts Defend Themselves From Burglary?
Because vacation rental properties aren’t occupied full-time, there is a larger danger of burglary because these properties may go unoccupied for extended periods during the off-season. This indicates that a popular target for thieves is holiday properties.
Hosts must put safety precautions in place to prevent break-ins at their property and avoid becoming another statistic. In this post, we’ll look at nine practical precautions you can take to keep burglars and criminals out of your holiday rental:
1. Let your visitors know
Give your visitors a thorough explanation of the security precautions in your lodging. Make it clear in your house rules that parties are prohibited, and that extra visitors or friends are not permitted. When they check to leave the rental, ask them to make sure all the windows and doors are shut.
Blind places are known to burglars, who strike more quickly than you imagine. Additionally, smart locks can be used to secure your property. The smart locks will lock the door automatically if a visitor forgets to do so when leaving the property.
2. Online Rental Protection
Make careful you only use reputable websites to promote your vacation rental, and avoid giving out the precise address online.
Avoid giving away too much information in the listing images for the property. Your vacation rental must be authentically represented, but you should exclude details that could be used to pinpoint the location, such as the house number and street name.
The booking process follows the same rules. Before accepting the reservation, get to know your guests, and only provide the precise address once you have been paid. You can still interview your guests in advance even if you don’t use listing websites and can’t check evaluations left by past hosts.
3. Create a false presence
Burglars frequently target vacant homes because they are less likely to be apprehended. They can easily tell which homes are empty in winter because there is no light inside. As a result, it is wise to take actions that provide the appearance that someone is home.
Using home automation systems, you may program the lighting to turn on and off at specific times. However, the lights shouldn’t be turned on in the same way every day to prevent your plan from being observed. You can also use smart home technology in your lodging to operate the radio or the TV in addition to the lights. Most of these can be controlled via apps.
Brightly lighted structures will deter burglars. Lighting in homes gives the appearance that someone is home, and the risk of being discovered is too large.
4. Install motion and light detectors.
It’s essential to prevent burglars from entering your vacation rental home in the first place so that they won’t even think about it as their next endeavor. Most thieves work at night since it’s easier for them to avoid detection. They can disguise themselves by wearing all-black clothing.
What are some ways to identify these unwanted chameleons? Install floodlights, illumination, and motion detectors to keep them away from your rental during the night. The lights will immediately come on if any movement is detected, exposing the robber.
These detectors are not just used outside. Additionally, you can put up wireless motion detectors inside the building. Your mobile device will notify you immediately when a movement is detected. For people who manage their rent remotely, it’s very helpful! Fortunately, these sensors are reasonably priced; you can purchase one for as little as $17.00.
5. Work with your neighbors
Register your property with the neighborhood watch program in your area. You might also enlist the assistance of your neighborhood neighbors if you get along well with them. They can keep an eye on your lodging and immediately call the police if they notice any strange behavior. Provide a schedule of your rental, including the times it is occupied and unoccupied, to your neighbors. Additionally, your neighbors might assist by mowing your yard, clearing snow, and emptying the mailbox regularly to simulate your absence.
6. Block Entry Points
By blocking all entry points, you may make it as difficult as possible for criminals to enter your rental property. This includes straightforward precautions like adding break-proof glass to your windows and installing security locks like pin locks and keyed locks that make it difficult for someone to break or open the windows from the outside. Some of these tools also have an alarm feature.
Remove anything that could aid criminals in breaking into your houses, such as garbage cans or ladders. These must be kept in a garden shed or garage that is securely closed.
7. Install a surveillance camera system
The use of cameras significantly reduces crime. Installing a camera surveillance system outside will give you peace of mind knowing that you are constantly checking the property. You’ll have much better luck capturing the thief if there is an intruder.
An intelligent doorbell is yet another useful device. The newest innovation is a doorbell with a built-in camera that instantly alerts your smartphone and lets you connect live to the camera. You will always be able to see who is at your front door and even communicate with them from wherever you are! Therefore, if a robber knocks on your door to see if anyone is there, you already have footage of them and may call the police immediately.
8. Having Insurance
Providing you have insurance, you should be protected if a break-in happens despite the precautions you’ve taken. You must ensure that you have standard home insurance and specialized coverage for your vacation rental business. Remember that your property may only sometimes be automatically covered by your current house insurance when you rent it out to visitors.
9. Lock the Rental
By enclosing your vacation rental home with a gate, you can take additional precautions to keep criminals from ever reaching it. No one can easily hop over fences since they are higher. Install an electric lock on the gated door once the fence is up.
A natural version is another option. Additionally, a hedge around your home serves as a secure boundary. It offers solitude and has a nice appearance. While it could take a bit longer to establish and grow, the outcome is worthwhile. It will be more difficult for burglars to inspect your holiday home and determine in advance how they can enter, thanks to the privacy screen.
In any event, it’s crucial to research the various insurance options available to safeguard your possessions and vacation rental as effectively as possible.
These precautions will assist you in securing your vacation rental home from burglary, particularly if you are managing the rental remotely or when it is vacant.
