TIPS TO KEEP YOUR EMPTY PROPERTY SECURE
MANY residential properties belonging to foreigners as holiday homes are unoccupied and landlords struggle to find tenants.
Owners of such homes – even if they are only empty for a short period – need to ensure their properties are secure for both their own sake and insurance purposes, says Charnel Hattingh, head of marketing and communications at Fidelity ADT.
A great place to start, she says, is by getting to know the neighbours because they will be the first people to notice if anything is wrong.
“Speak to them and make sure that they have your contact details. Also make contact with the body corporate if your property happens to be in a block of flats.”
The next step is to check there are no holes in the fence or other easy ways for would-be criminals to gain access.
“Lock all outside gates, doors and windows and consider installing an electric fence or a beam alarm that is linked to an armed response company. Draw the curtains, and also consider installing a light system that is linked to a timer which can help create the impression that someone is home,” Hattingh says.
Step three, she adds, is to cancel deliveries and take care of the garden as it is very easy for a property to look unoccupied if newspapers and post start piling up outside the front door or if the lawn starts looking neglected.
Homeowners should also inform their armed response companies about properties that are going to be empty for extended periods.