This article is for both renters and landlords who want to add or enhance the security of their apartments.
If you are a homeowner and putting up apartments in Oakland for rent, make sure you enhance the apartment’s safety/security. If you are a renter and have already moved in, it is still possible to improve the security systems of your apartment. The article mentions 7 ways to do so.
What Causes The Need to Add Security to Your Apartment?
Before we look at the 7 ways of adding security to apartments, let us understand the reason behind doing it. One can encounter the following threats and issues while living in rental apartments in Oakland.
- Burglaries
Burglaries and break-ins are common in the USA. Apartments in densely populated areas are more prone to such issues. In the absence of proper security measures, unauthorized people can easily enter the premises and become a risk to the residents.
- Crimes
The evolving crimes also pose a threat to those living in apartments. Criminals often look for weaknesses in security systems and target vulnerable areas. These include open spaces, gardens, delivery points, parking, garages, etc. Criminal tactics can become a great risk for the residents, especially new renters, who are unaware of the neighborhood.
- Vandalism
Damages, destruction, and vandalism can cause threats in the absence of adequate security and safety. Individuals can break in, draw threatening graffiti on the apartment’s walls, damage common areas, or even destroy them.
- Theft
The rise in online shopping has particularly raised package thefts in apartment buildings. In the absence of security or insufficient safety measures, thieves can easily steal unattended packages.
7 Easy Ways To Add Security To Your Apartment
As mentioned above, renters often have access to only a few security options. This may either be because of a lack of the landlord’s awareness, cost-cutting, or ignorance. However, now that we have discussed the prevailing security issues in the city, both landlords and renters can emphasize making apartments more secure. The following section mentions 7 easy ways to do it. Read on.
- Check the Lighting of the Building & Its Surroundings
Check the building lights for any need for maintenance and repair. Also, review the lights in the surrounding areas such as parking lots, hallways, common areas, stairs, storage rooms, etc. Once you have the reality in notes, reach out to management to make the necessary repairs and install the required security systems.
- Install Appropriate Locks to Doors
Adding more locks to the doors of your apartments can also increase security. Consider introducing new locks to the front door or upgrading the existing locks for greater security. If you are a renter, ask your landlord before getting any systems installed.
- Install a Steadfast Security System
Besides the locks, you can also get a reliable and robust security system installed in your apartment. CCTV cameras must be installed in parking lots, doors, elevators, and other common areas. Visitor entry in the guard’s register, ID cards of maids, cleaners, and other routine workers must be checked.
- Don’t forget to Cover Windows
Renters must make a habit of covering all the windows before leaving for outside. Install appropriate curtains to do so. Make sure, when you close the curtains or blinds, nothing is visible from the outside. Besides, you can also go for window sensors, so that they can easily detect if anybody tries to break in through your window.
- Have Sliding Doors? Shield Them
Oakland Hills apartments for rent may have sliding doors in balconies to help keep the interiors cozy. If you are living in an apartment in areas alike, make sure to secure your sliding doors. This is because these are the major areas to break into, especially if you are living on the ground or first floor.
- Request for Security Guards
Lastly, if you are experiencing many threats and issues in your neighborhood, request your landlord or management to keep a strong security guard for the apartment. Security guards can be of many types – armed guards, doorkeepers, lobby security guards, fire security guards, and more.
This will largely prevent any theft or crime in your building/apartment and also attract better renters.
Final Thoughts
Landlords can also get their renters’ insurance if they want to offer renters safety and save their finances too. Such insurance doesn’t cover every type of damage, but enough to cover the loss of belongings caused by theft.
We hope you found this information useful from both the renter’s and landlord’s perspectives. For more such informational blogs and articles, check out Raj Properties regularly. Raj Properties is a leading online platform that lists the best rental apartments in Oakland. Visit the website to explore them if you’re looking to rent one. Get in touch with our executives for details.