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Home Security Tips for Renters

Wednesday, February 19th

Home Security Tips for Renters

Like homeowners, renters need to take control of their own home security. Apartment and home renters face their own unique security problems. Unlike homeowners, renters may not have control over service people or apartment complex employees who have access to their apartments while the renter is gone. Although they may not own the property, renters can take control over some of these security risks by taking a few precautions. Renters should discuss any security concerns they may have with the landlord before signing a contractual rental agreement.

Change the locks. Chances are in a rental situation, previous tenants and perhaps their friends and family members may have keys to the apartment. Either ensure that the landlord has changed the locks or make a request that that high-quality locks and deadbolts be installed. Go online and look for quality deadbolts and bump-proof locks.

Also, install new window locks as well as locks on sliding glass doors, whether you live on the first floor or above. Do not assume that if your new apartment is above the first floor that you do not have to worry about someone entering your domicile through windows and sliding glass doors.

Install an alarm system. Check with the landlord and ask about installing an alarm system. Today's wireless security systems make it easy for you to install a high-quality alarm system without drilling holes in the wall and wiring. Furthermore, the wireless systems can be easily disconnected and transported when you are ready to move. There are a wide variety of wireless systems on the market today. Be sure to go online and look for the system that will best suit your needs.

Utilize video cameras. Renters may not always know service workers who are entering the premises on behalf of the landlord. Wireless security video cameras allow the tenant to record those who enter the apartment or home while he is away. Wireless video cameras can be placed around the apartment for monitoring. With mobile self-monitoring, the tenant can access the video remotely and keep tabs on those in the property. Look online for the video security system that will work for you.

Purchase renter's insurance. Typically, property losses of the renter due to theft are not covered by the landlord's insurance. Renters should purchase insurance if their valuables and property are worth more than the cost of the insurance premiums. Renter's insurance policies vary greatly in price and coverage. Be sure to research them online to find the coverage and price that suits your situation and budget.

Home security is for the renter as well as the homeowner. Be sure to go online to find more tips and home security products for the renter.

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Home Security System FAQ

There are more than 2 million break-ins every year in the United States alone. Home security systems are the most logical way to give yourself the peace of mind that comes from knowing that you, your loved ones and your property are being watched over.
The most important feature is 24/7 monitoring, which most services offer as part of your monthly fees. At a minimum, you'll want to have sensors for all of the exterior doors in your residence.
There are many add-ons that can offer additional security and protection. Your home security system could have smoke and CO2 detectors, flooding sensors, motion detectors, night vision cameras, and much more.
You'll find plans both with and without required service contracts. The tradeoff is usually in the price of the equipment vs. the monthly service fees. (See the next question for more on that.)
That depends. You should expect two costs: equipment and monthly service charges. Some providers of home security systems give you the equipment "for free", as long as you sign a contract (usually 2-5 years). Others have you pay for the equipment upfront as a one-time charge, but their monthly fees tend to be lower. And, with most services, you'll pay more for monthly monitoring if your system has all of the bells and whistles.
One of the most customer-friendly aspects of today's home security systems is DIY installation. While there are still a handful of companies that require you to sit down with a sales rep and then wait for a professional to come and set up your system, the vast majority are designed to be easy and fast for you to install yourself. You'll have ample support via phone or online chat if you need extra guidance during the process.
Yes, most of the time. You'll typically have a 30-day window to use your home security system and decide if it provides the protection and service you need. Terms vary, however: you may get a full refund for all fees paid, or you may only be allowed to break your contract without getting any money back. Be sure to understand the details of any plan you select, before you sign up.
Usually, yes. Because of the do-it-yourself nature of most of today's systems, you can uninstall and move your equipment just as easily as you set it up the first time. You'll just need to update the company with your current address, so that emergency responders have the right location in the event of an alarm.

Compare Home Security Systems

Select any 2 Home Security Systems to compare them head to head

best-home-security-systems
  • Cove
  • Alarm Relay
  • Xfinity
  • Link Interactive
  • Guardian Protection
  • CPI Security
  • ADT
  • Brinks Home
  • SimpliSafe
  • Frontpoint
  • Abode
  • Ring
  • Vivint
  • Wyze
Cove vs Alarm Relay Cove vs Xfinity Cove vs Link Interactive Cove vs Guardian Protection Cove vs CPI Security Cove vs ADT Cove vs Brinks Home Cove vs SimpliSafe Cove vs Frontpoint Cove vs Abode Cove vs Ring Cove vs Vivint Cove vs Wyze Alarm Relay vs Xfinity Alarm Relay vs Link Interactive Alarm Relay vs Guardian Protection Alarm Relay vs CPI Security Alarm Relay vs ADT Alarm Relay vs Brinks Home Alarm Relay vs SimpliSafe Alarm Relay vs Frontpoint Alarm Relay vs Abode Alarm Relay vs Ring Alarm Relay vs Vivint Alarm Relay vs Wyze Xfinity vs Link Interactive Xfinity vs Guardian Protection Xfinity vs CPI Security Xfinity vs ADT Xfinity vs Brinks Home Xfinity vs SimpliSafe Xfinity vs Frontpoint Xfinity vs Abode Xfinity vs Ring Xfinity vs Vivint Xfinity vs Wyze Link Interactive vs Guardian Protection Link Interactive vs CPI Security Link Interactive vs ADT Link Interactive vs Brinks Home Link Interactive vs SimpliSafe Link Interactive vs Frontpoint Link Interactive vs Abode Link Interactive vs Ring Link Interactive vs Vivint Link Interactive vs Wyze Guardian Protection vs CPI Security Guardian Protection vs ADT Guardian Protection vs Brinks Home Guardian Protection vs SimpliSafe Guardian Protection vs Frontpoint Guardian Protection vs Abode Guardian Protection vs Ring Guardian Protection vs Vivint Guardian Protection vs Wyze CPI Security vs ADT CPI Security vs Brinks Home CPI Security vs SimpliSafe CPI Security vs Frontpoint CPI Security vs Abode CPI Security vs Ring CPI Security vs Vivint CPI Security vs Wyze ADT vs Brinks Home ADT vs SimpliSafe ADT vs Frontpoint ADT vs Abode ADT vs Ring ADT vs Vivint ADT vs Wyze Brinks Home vs SimpliSafe Brinks Home vs Frontpoint Brinks Home vs Abode Brinks Home vs Ring Brinks Home vs Vivint Brinks Home vs Wyze SimpliSafe vs Frontpoint SimpliSafe vs Abode SimpliSafe vs Ring SimpliSafe vs Vivint SimpliSafe vs Wyze Frontpoint vs Abode Frontpoint vs Ring Frontpoint vs Vivint Frontpoint vs Wyze Abode vs Ring Abode vs Vivint Abode vs Wyze Ring vs Vivint Ring vs Wyze Vivint vs Wyze
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