Top tips to beat the burglars at Christmas time
‘Tis the season to go thieving – well, that’s according to those who are happier to steal the Christmas cheer than share it.
There have been more than 230,000 burglaries this year in England and Wales, and the number inevitably rises in December – up by around 4% on average. The reasons for the seasonal surge are clear. Dark nights, empty properties and the lure of a pile of presents already bought, and maybe even wrapped, can prove irresistible to would-be burglars.
Yet both landlords and tenants can play a valuable role in minimising risks, with tenants implementing additional precautionary measures and landlords ensuring the properties they rent are safe and secure.
Tips to pass on to your tenants:
Keep presents out of sight
That pile of gifts looks great under the Christmas tree. But remember that Santa Claus doesn’t visit until late on Christmas Eve, so presents shouldn’t be on show before then. Under the tree is the first place a burglar will check.
Don’t make it obvious they are away
In the excitement of Christmas parties, seeing family and friends, or festive getaways, your tenants might share a little too much of their plans on social media. They can end up providing a timetable of when the property will be occupied and when it won’t – and that makes for easy pickings for burglars.
Encourage smart habits
Smart plugs or smart lightbulbs allow tenants to control lighting even when they are out, making it appear someone is home even when they aren’t. If you haven’t supplied such tech, and they don’t want to buy it themselves, then old-fashioned tricks still work. Encourage tenants to put lamps on timers or ask a friendly neighbour to come in to open and close curtains and alternate lights if they are away for a while. Timers or smart plugs for TVs and radios will also make the property seem occupied.
Remind them to be careful with recycling
The risk doesn’t stop on Christmas Day either. Environmentally-conscious tenants may put out the cardboard from shiny new tech with their post-Christmas recycling – forgetting that they are essentially advertising their recent new purchases.
What landlords can do:
Check tenants have contents insurance
Landlords’ insurance should cover damage to the fabric of the property caused by a burglary, and damage to contents belonging to you and included in the tenancy. But it won’t cover tenants for their stolen gifts or any other damage or theft of items they own.
You should stress the importance of their own contents insurance, especially at this time of the year. The average burglary claim value over the festive season stands at more than £3,000 and there are more claims in December than at any other time of the year, so it pays to be covered.
Ensure properties are safe and secure
While tenants are responsible for ensuring the property is secure, they will be relying on latches and locks that work properly. That includes deadlocks on doors and lockable latches on windows. Both should be checked as part of your regular inspections. Padlocks and hinges on gates and sheds should also be sturdy and secure.
Light up their world
Adequate and visible lighting – particularly motion-activated – can deter burglars. Obvious smart doorbells or security cameras, meanwhile, will be another deterrent, providing alerts of unwelcome visitors. Their very presence may be enough to scare off burglars before they strike.
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