A rental property is a huge
investment, and as a landlord, you have a number of responsibilities to
maintain and ensure that the property is safe and secure for your tenants.
We’ll bet you wouldn’t leave
your home unsecured, so why would you leave your rental property unguarded and
risk prosecution?
Here experienced Newcastle
locksmiths, NLS
Security Ltd
, share a few simple yet effective things you
can do to ensure that your property is up to scratch and your tenants feel
safe.
#1
Regularly check the doors
When it comes to securing the
property, the doors are a fantastic place to start.
Wooden doors should have a
BS3261 approved 5-lever mortice lock fitted. These locks are tested against
drilling and other forced entry techniques and can be unlocked on both sides
using a key.
Rim cylinder deadlatches (also
known as nightlatches) can be used on wooden doors, too. They lock the door
automatically when it closes and add an extra layer of security when a 5-lever
mortice lock is installed.
Most modern UPVC and composite
doors have multipoint locks. These have a cylinder with 3-5 bolts that slot
directly into the door frame when the lock is engaged.
#2
Secure all window locks
The windows are a vulnerable
part of any property – particularly those on the ground floor.
UPVC windows tend to come with
key locks. Make sure tenants have access to the keys and remind them to lock
the windows before they leave the house and go to bed.
Older windows, such as sash
windows, may not have locks, so it’s worth fitting a latch or sash stop. Of
course, our locksmiths in Newcastle can advise on this and will even take care
of the installation for you, helping you to protect your rental against potential
intruders.
#3 Don’t
forget about the garage, shed, and outbuildings
Garden sheds and garages are
hotspots for break-ins as people tend to house expensive tools and equipment
inside them and accidentally leave them unlocked.
As a landlord, you must take
the appropriate steps to secure these extra spaces. Consider fitting
high-security garage locks and installing motion sensor lights to keep areas
well-lit and deter criminals.
#4
Change the locks
No matter how trustworthy your
previous tenant was, you can never be too sure if/how many keys they had cut.
Therefore, as a general rule
of thumb, you should have the locks changed by Newcastle locksmiths
at
the end of the tenancy agreement.
If you wish to change the
locks during the tenancy, you must give your tenant adequate notice and provide
them with the new key. The last thing you want to do is leave them without
access to the property.
#5
Seek advice from professional locksmiths
If the door lock gets jammed,
your tenant loses their key, or window locks break, having an emergency locksmith
on standby can be a real boon.
Not only can tenants relax
knowing that the problem will be rectified quickly, but landlords can also be
assured that the emergency work is carried out to the highest standard.
Luckily for you, our Newcastle
locksmiths are UPVC
door specialists
and offer a 24-hour emergency call-out service,
as well as lock repairs, burglary repairs, key cutting, garage locks, and more.
Contact
NLS Security today
If you would like to know more
about the locksmith services we provide, don’t hesitate to get in touch. Our
team is always on hand to help and would love to hear from you.
Either give us a call on 0191 238 6000
to speak with an
expert or send an email to info@nlssecurity.co.uk
, and
we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.
