Is your tenant about to head away for a few months?
An empty rental attracts bad things. Vandals, broken pipes and vermin all flock to a home that nobody cares about. The longer it stays empty, the greater the liability.
Here's the problem:
Landlords only realize something happened when the tenant arrives home.
The best part? You can safeguard your rental against almost anything while your tenant is gone with just a few simple steps.
Here's how to do it...
What's inside this guide:
Why Empty Rentals Are A Big Target
Electronic Lock Installation: Your First Line Of Defence
5x Ways To Keep A Vacant Rental Safe
The Tenant Chat You Can't Skip
Why Empty Rentals Are A Big Target
An empty home sends a message. And criminals are very good at reading it.
Mail piled up. Curtains drawn. No cars in the driveway. These are all clues that your home is vacant…and a target for criminals.
It's also not conjecture. Studies have found a 2.2% rise in burglary for every single point increase in neighbourhood vacancy rates.
And here's the kicker...
Certain policies may not cover theft when your home is unoccupied. You could be left holding the bag.
Electronic Lock Installation: Your First Line Of Defence
Securing Your Rental During Extended Time Away...Locks First.
Why? Traditional keys can't be tracked. Former tenants, housekeepers and handymen could all have duplicates you're unaware of. One of those keys can unlock your door when you're away.
That’s where electronic lock installation comes into play. Keypad locks and smart locks allow you to determine who has access and when. The best solution is to allow a trusted locksmith to do the electronic lock installation so that the lock, door frame, and strike plate are working in unison. An improperly installed smart lock is simply a security hole waiting to look high tech.
Once it's fitted, you get some powerful benefits:
Remote access: Let a plumber or inspector in from anywhere using your phone.
Single-use codes: Provide a code that is only valid for one day.
Entry logs: See every single time the door is opened.
Eliminate lost keys: Reconfigure a code within seconds instead of changing the entire lock.
Pretty cool, right?
The access log is where the magic happens. If someone opens the door at 2am when no one is supposed to be there, you will know immediately.
Always obtain your tenant's written consent prior to changing or adding new locks. Tenants have rights to privacy, and landlord entry laws vary from region to region. Make sure you know the law where you live.
5x Ways To Keep A Vacant Rental Safe.
Good locks are a must. But layering security in an unoccupied home is also important.
Select appropriate steps from below that apply to your property and implement before your tenant departs.
Make It Look Lived-In
Burglars like an empty house. Don't let them know yours is...or at least appears to be.
The FBI reported over 779,542 burglaries in one year, 2024. If your home appears occupied, burglars will typically avoid it.
Here are a few easy wins:
Put lights on timers
Pause or forward the mail
Keep the lawn cut and the paths clear
Ask a neighbour to park in the driveway now and then
One inexpensive way to level up is with smart plugs. Plug lamps, radios and TVs into them. Then schedule your phone to turn them on and off at random times. It's much less noticeable than leaving a timer on that turns stuff on at 6pm sharp every night.
Shut Off The Water
Water damage claims are among the most frequent homeowners insurance claims. About 1 in 60 homes with insurance file a water/freezing claim each year.
Water damage claims aren’t cheap either. With water damage and freezing comes an average claim of $13,954. Now imagine that small drip dripping for 3x longer with no one to notice.
Ouch.
Turn off the water at the main valve before the tenant moves out. Easiest solution! Set the water heater to vacation mode also. During winter months leave heating on low...NEVER OFF so pipes don't freeze and burst.
Book Regular Inspections
Nothing beats a pair of eyes on the property.
Have someone come every 1-2 weeks. They should look for leaks, rodents, evidence of intrusion and junk mail accumulating by the door. A simple walk- through can prevent a small issue from becoming a very costly one.
Digital locks to the rescue once again. Instead of hiding a key under the mat (where burglars always check first), simply text the inspector a one-time code.
Add Cameras And Sensors
Technology can watch your rental 24/7 so you don't have to.
A video doorbell allows you to see who is at your door. Water leak sensors are inexpensive and notify your phone the instant moisture is detected. Position them under sinks, near washing machines and by the water heater.
Note: Cameras should ONLY be located outside of the home. Video surveillance inside a tenant's home is a major privacy violation.
Check Your Insurance
This is the step most landlords forget...
Contact your insurer prior to your tenant vacating. Some landlord policies restrict cover if a property has been vacant for a predetermined number of days. Query if a long period of absence alters this, and get confirmation in writing. If so, check if you can add vacancy cover to run during your tenant's absence.
The Tenant Chat You Can't Skip
Everything mentioned here works more smoothly if your tenant agrees to the plan. Meet with your tenant beforehand and settle on some basics. It will ensure everything stays civilized, legal, and amicable. Discuss the following:
The exact dates they'll be away
An emergency contact number
Written permission for inspections and repairs
Who else has access to the property
What should be left on, off or unplugged
Put everything in writing and each of you keep a copy. That way no one gets any unpleasant surprises when your tenant returns.
Locking It All Down
A vacant rental doesn't have to be a nightmare rental. Take these precautions and you can safeguard your property, your income and your relationship with your tenant.
To quickly recap:
Start with electronic lock installation to control who gets in
Make the home look lived-in
Shut off the water and protect the pipes
Book regular inspections
Add outdoor cameras and leak sensors
Check your insurance for vacancy limits
Agree on everything with your tenant in writing
None of these steps are difficult individually. However, when taken together they provide you with multiple layers of security.
Resolve it before your tenant moves out and breathe easy with peace of mind that your rental is taken care of.
