Home Security: Advice to landlords

Burglary Prevention | Bogus Callers | Doors | Flats and Apartments | Advice to landlords
Glazing | Lighting | Security Alarms | Windows

As a landlord, it is in your interest to invest in the best security you can afford. Well managed properties help protect the wider community by creating confidence in the local community that measures are being taken to reduce opportunities for criminals.

One in five burglaries are committed through open windows and doors, so just by taking a few simple measures and ensuring that your tenants are advised and have the means to secure the windows and doors, you will dramatically reduce the likelihood of your properties being targeted by opportunistic burglary.

Burglars will often target blocks of flats because they can easily gain access to them through a communal entrance, which may have poor access control. Once inside they will often go straight to the top floor flats first, as there is less likelihood of passers by seeing them whilst they break in.

So, if you own or manage a flat which is off a shared landing and not on the ground floor, remember that your front door is your only form of defence against intruders. This makes it really important to ensure that you invest in a strong door and door frame with good quality locks.

• Wooden front doors should be solid timber, with a British Standard 5-lever mortice lock one third of the way up and an automatic deadlocking rim latch one third of the way down.
• PVCu and aluminium doors generally have multi-locking systems. Ensure that tenants understand that they have to lift the handle, lock it with the key and remove it to prevent burglars reaching in through the letterbox to open the door or to use a sharp tool to force the locking mechanism open. Tenants should always be advised to put keys in a safe and easily accessible place in case of fire.
• Internal letterbox shields also prevent access to the handle inside or keys being fished through the letterbox.
• Frames should be reinforced with reinforcing metal strips called ‘London’ and ‘Birmingham’ bars.
• Hinge bolts should be fitted to outward opening doors.
• Glass panels in doors should be replaced with laminated glass or reinforced with security film or grilles.
• Door viewers enable residents to see callers before they open the door.

All this advice applies to houses as well as flats, but with houses it’s also important to ensure that:

• Wooden back doors should be solid timber, with a British Standard 5-lever mortice lock and two mortice rack bolts.
• French, patio and balcony doors should have a minimum of three locking points. Patio doors should be fitted with an anti-lift device to prevent them being lifted from their runners.

If the flat that you are a landlord for is on the ground floor then it’s vital that the windows are lockable and that the occupants have the keys.

• All ground floor windows and any windows that are easily accessible must have key operated window locks, unless they are being used as a fire escape.
• Externally beaded uPVC and aluminium windows should be secured with security clips, security tape or sealant.
• Window handles should be multi-locking, with shoot bolts into the frame. If not, surface mounted, key operated window locks should be fitted.
• Louvre window panes should be secured to prevent removal or replaced with a solid glass panel.
• Audible intruder alarm systems with flashing lights are the best deterrent against burglary, as burglars don’t want to be seen or heard; time and noise are their enemies.
• Security lighting increases vision and makes burglars feel vulnerable and at risk of being seen.