10 Ways to Ensure Your Vacation Rental’s Security

One mistake many homeowners make when turning their property into a vacation rental is not increasing security. With their absence daily, their home can be more susceptible to break-ins on days when it's not booked by vacationers. 

Instead of accepting an increased risk of burglaries, there are many things you can do to better protect your vacation home. Those listed below can help you get started so you have peace of mind knowing your space is safer throughout the year.

1. Install a camera system.

If you want to see what's going on around your vacation home, then a smart home camera system is the only way to go. These connect with your smartphone to allow you to see live and recorded footage at any time and from anywhere. 

You can place cameras around the outside of the home so you have a great view from every angle. While this won't necessarily stop all crime, it can deter burglars and the footage can potentially help catch any criminals that do break-in.

2. Install a new front door lock.

Since you'll be renting the house out, it's important to have a door lock that doesn't require a traditional key. Those made with keypads are best since you can set special pin codes for each person or reservation. 

Once their stay is over, their pin code can be deleted so they can no longer enter the home. These locks also allow you to open and close right from your smartphone, so it's easy to let in cleaners or maintenance workers without being there physically.

3. Install a new door.

If you're going to install a new door lock, you might want to consider also installing a brand new door. An iron front door, in particular, can provide incredible security for your vacation rental. These are extremely heavy, so they're virtually impossible to push down. Most criminals will shy away from homes that have these types of doors because they know they require extreme effort to try and open.

4. Keep up the exterior appearance.

It's common for vacation rental owners to have their properties cleaned once renters have moved out. However, it's important not to stop there. You should also have the exterior cleaned and trimmed to ensure it looks maintained and like someone is living there. If you have an unmowed lawn or a driveway with leaves everywhere, these can be signs to criminals that the home is likely to be empty.

5. Install smart lights.

If your rental is going to be empty more than it will be rented, then it's a good idea to install smart lights that you can control right from your smartphone. With these, you can turn on lights to make it look like you're at the house, even when you're thousands of miles away. Some lights can even be set on intermittent timers so they're more realistic.

6. Don't advertise an empty house.

One of the best ways to advertise your rental is by posting it online without specific information about the address. This will help protect your privacy and ensure burglars don't know the house is empty most of the time. Avoid leaving a sign in your yard at all costs, even if you think it'll bring in more renters.

7. Install sensor lights.

Sensor lights installed on the exterior of your vacation rental offer security in many ways. The first is for occupants, as it ensures they will have visibility outside even when it's dark. The second is for better protection, as bright lights tend to scare criminals away. Place these all around the house, from the garage to the backyard and even the alleyways in-between.

8. Place bushes under windows.

Don't make it easy for criminals to enter the windows on the bottom floor of your home. Prevent this from happening by placing thorny bushes underneath any windows that they would be able to access. In most situations, this will act as a major deterrent from anyone trying to climb up and break in through a window.

9. Talk to a trusted friend.

It's important not to tell all your friends that your home will become a vacation rental. However, you should have one trusted friend that can visit the home on occasion. They can make sure everything looks alright and let you know any issues that need to be fixed as well.

10. Install an alarm.

A smart alarm system in your rental can be set via your phone for times when you have no occupants. Some of these can even connect with your cameras to make increasing security even easier.

Whether you choose a wrought iron door or a new camera system for your vacation rental, it can make all the difference with its security. This can give you peace of mind while also protecting you from unexpected loss.