Securing your rental home

One of the important elements that every family looks for in their home is security. The CSi Property Group looks at some of the ways that you, as a tenant, can ensure that you are choosing a secure home - and other things you can do to keep yourself, your family and your possessions safe.  From choosing your property carefully and considering the advantages of blocks of flats and complexes to thinking about alarm systems, lighting and getting to know your neighbours, there are plenty of ways you can keep yourself safe without needing to be a homeowner.

Choose your property carefully

The first step to securing your rental home is choosing the right home - and you do this by looking at the neighbourhood and the surroundings. A property that faces open land always poses a security risk and in some cases, properties that are isolated and far from their neighbours may face a higher risk of criminal activity. Other factors to consider include how close you are to a highway or a main road, and how quiet the streets in your immediate area tend to be.

The advantages of sectional title properties

While sectional title properties are not immune to crime, they tend to be far safer than stand-alone properties because of the security measures and the sense of community that exists in these complexes. In just about every complex, you can expect to find security measures like electric gates and fencing, CCTV cameras and - in some cases - security guards. The simple fact that you live close to your neighbours is also a crime deterrent because it becomes difficult for criminal elements to get in and out without being detected. Living in a complex or a block of flats comes with lots of advantages, with security being at the top of the list.

Consider having an alarm system put in

Before signing a lease agreement, find out whether your prospective home has an alarm system. If it doesn't, and you would like to have one put in, you will need your landlord's permission to do so. It will be beneficial to get this in writing before you sign on the dotted line of your lease. While landlords have a responsibility to ensure that reasonable security precautions like doors and locks are in place, they are not obliged to provide an alarm system. As the tenant, you will be required to pay for the alarm system unless it is specified as a special condition in the lease that the landlord needs to provide such a system.

While it is typically a tenant's responsibility to pay for the installation of an alarm system, it's possible that the landlord may agree to pay for it - at least in part - because it will be an upgrade to his or her property in the long run.

Think about lighting

The lighting around your property is another important element to think about. If you have dark areas in your garden or on the road directly outside your property, you create areas where it's easy for criminals to hide. Choose a rental home that has outdoor floodlights, motion-sensor lights or both. Another option is to speak to your landlord about installing lighting timers for your home's interior. This way, it's easy to make your home look occupied even when you're not home.

Get to know your neighbours

Whether or not you're living in a sectional title, one of the best ways to secure your property is to get to know your neighbours and become part of the local community. Your neighbours are extra sets of eyes who can keep an eye on your property and may notice if anything seems amiss. Find out if there is a WhatsApp or Facebook group for your neighbourhood and if so, join it. This will give you information about any security threats that have been noticed in the area.

Securing your home starts with finding the right property and the CSi Property Group is here to help. Contact us for help in finding a secure rental in Gauteng.