There’s a lot of information out there about home security, but do the same tips and tricks apply to your apartment? After all, if you are renting, there is going to be a limit to the renovations and updates that you can do, even with permission from your landlord. So what can you do to make sure that you are just as secure in your home as you could be in a house?
Safety Locks
One of the easiest and affordable options for increasing your apartment’s safety is to install a security lock. While the landlord should change the locks before you move in, sometimes they don’t, and sometimes those locks aren’t super great. You’ll need permission from your landlord or building manager before modifying the structure of anything in your apartment, but there are some locks that you can add without major renovations. For instance, there are portable locks that work well without requiring any drilling into your door. This keeps you safe without getting you in trouble with your landlord.
Apartment Security Systems
Most rental contracts will bar you from drilling holes and running wires through the apartment, so you’ll have to go wireless with your security. The good news is that there are plenty of modern security systems designed with apartments in mind. Wireless apartment security systems are cheaper than their wired counterparts, easier to set up, more difficult for an intruder to disable and easy to take with you to your next place. You can use your security system and cameras to monitor the entrances and windows in your apartment, as well as watching what happens in the hallway outside your apartment.
Get a Safe
You might think as safes only reserved for hotel closets, but you can buy an affordable one for your apartment and use it to store your valuables when you’re away. While there might be some things such as jewelry and personal documents such as your Social Security card that is always inside, you can also slip other expensive things in there when you have to leave for long periods of time. If someone does manage to break in, they are less likely to be able to gain access to the most important things.
Staying Safe in Your Apartment
The little things can make the biggest impact when it comes to apartment security. Although your options are somewhat limited when you’re sharing a building with other tenants and can’t make large-scale adjustments, you can take some minor precautions to protect yourself and your belongings.
Get to know your neighbors to build up trust and a sense of community; they’ll be more likely to watch out for you when you’re away and report any suspicious activity. Also, if you’re feeling unsafe on property grounds, trust our gut and don’t hesitate to report any strange sightings or unease to your landlord.