Home Security Tips for Renters

Congratulations — you found your dream apartment and outfitted it with the perfect furnishings and decorations. But once that excitement wears off and you settle into a routine, you might start to realize you have some concerns about security.

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You might not own your home, but you can keep it secure with devices such as alarm systems for apartments and door bars. Try these home security tips for renters to feel safer in your apartment.

Looking at the specific features and potential security risks of your apartment can help you make changes that make you feel safer. Try these home security tips for renters to get started.

1. Set Up Indoor Cameras

You might not be able to install a full security system or outdoor cameras, but you can set up surveillance inside your apartment. Indoor cameras are relatively inexpensive and can go almost anywhere in your space. You can choose wired or wireless cameras for convenience, and many models offer two-way communication so you can warn intruders that you're calling the police.

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2. Install a Security System for Apartment Use

Think you can't have a security system for an apartment? While traditional wired systems might not be an option, you can find many alarm systems for apartments that don't involve hard-wiring or screwing equipment into the walls. Apartment security systems still allow you to have alarms on the doors and windows, and many systems have the option for professional monitoring so you can feel safer in your rented home.

3. Use a Bar to Secure Doors

That sliding door to your patio or deck offers lots of natural light, but it's also very vulnerable. Buy a door bar to place in the sliding door track to make it more difficult for someone to break in. You can also buy door security bars for regular doors. They rest at an angle under your doorknob and against the floor to make it difficult to force the door open. Put the bar in place when you're home for a little extra protection.

4. Secure Your Windows

Avoid leaving your windows open when you're gone or sleeping, especially if you have a ground-floor apartment. Lock your windows after you close them to avoid giving burglars an easy entry point. If you have sliding windows, you can use a wooden dowel in the track to prevent it from being opened from the outside.

5. Upgrade the Locks

When you move in, ask the landlord to change the locks in case there are copies of the key floating around. If the apartment doesn't have a deadbolt, ask the landlord to install one or ask if you can install one yourself. You can also use travel door locks that travelers use to add security to your doors without drilling or permanently installing extra locks.

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6. Block the View

Leaving your blinds open lets potential burglars see everything you have to take. It can help them plan how to enter your home and where to go once they're inside. Keeping your blinds closed or installing removable window film that blocks the view can prevent this.

7. Use Smart Home Items

Smart home items can help you with home security for apartments. One example is a smart light setup, which allows you to turn your lights on and off even when you're not at home. That gives the impression that someone's there, even if your apartment is empty. You can do the same with smart plugs to turn your TV or radio on and off during the day or while you're on vacation.

8. Secure Items in a Safe

A safe can protect your most valuable items if someone makes it inside your home. Research safes to find one that has top ratings. Keep it in a hidden location, and choose a secure code that's difficult to guess. If the safe has a key, store it away from the safe.

9. Get to Know Your Neighbors

It can help to have an extra set of eyes on your home. Introduce yourself to your neighbors and get to know them. Exchange contact information so you can get hold of one another if something seems off. When you start to know what's normal for the neighborhood, you'll be able to spot things that seem suspicious and alert your neighbors. They can do the same for you.

10. Participate in Neighborhood Security Efforts

Check for larger neighborhood initiatives to help keep everyone safer. This might include neighborhood watch programs, Facebook groups or the Nextdoor app. Members often post about suspicious activities they notice in community groups so you can keep an eye out. You might also check for resident meetings so you can get to know other people in the area and hear about safety concerns or initiatives.