How to Do a Proper Apartment Safety-Check

Moving into a new apartment can be very stressful but before you sign a lease, it’s important to make sure it meets certain key requirements.

12:47 12 November 2020

Feeling secure in your new living space is definitely at the top of that list. If you want to avoid sleepless nights, the best option would be to make a checklist before you even start apartment-hunting. This way, nothing significant will slip your mind and you will end up living in a rental where you feel completely safe.

 

Let’s see what things you need to include in your checklist.

 

Find Out About the Crime Levels in The Neighborhood

 

One of the crucial factors when it comes to determining the price of real estate is the location. Of course, what is convenient for one person might be totally unacceptable to someone else. After all, some of us want peaceful surroundings while others want to be at the center of a big and busy city. That part is subjective.

 

However, no matter where you live, you want to feel safe. And the location is important in that regard, given the fact that some places have a higher crime rate than others. That’s why you need to do research and determine what areas of the city are more suitable for living. You don’t want to be unpleasantly surprised after putting your signature on the dotted line.

 

There are websites that will help you to find out this type of information so make sure you check them out. Also, you can always talk to the people who are already living there or to shop owners and ask them about the levels of crime happening in their neighborhood.

 

Is The Area Well-Lit?

 

Make sure you see the apartment building and walk through the neighborhood both during the day and night. The majority of crime happens when the sun sets down and you want to make sure the location you consider moving in is well-lit. Sometimes there are dark corners around apartment complexes and common areas, so it wouldn’t be bad to check the situation before you rent a place.

 

In certain hallways, parking lots, storage rooms, stairwells and other common areas might have motion sensor lights. So, bring your friend along and you two can go together to see what’s the lighting situation.

Locks and Peepholes

 

Once you pick the apartment, make sure the landlord or you change the old locks. As professionals from G & M Locksmiths say, it’s important to have an adequate lock on your doors to protect yourself and your belongings as well as to hire someone who will install in properly. For your own peace of mind, find someone who has the necessary experience to do the job properly and who will ensure you make the right decision when it comes to choosing the appropriate type of lock.

 

Also, additional security features such as peepholes and chain locks are important and will add another layer of you feeling safe. None of these are very expensive but will be very handy when someone unexpected knocks at your doors. After all, you don’t want to open your door to a complete stranger without knowing their intentions first.

 

What About Windows?

 

In general, the most common method of entry for the burglars is picking the lock on your front doors. However, the second way of entering your house is by opening your window or simply breaking the glass. This is especially true if your apartment is located on the ground floor.

 

Try to think like a burglar and determine if any of the windows in your new home represents a weak spot. If that’s the case, there are several ways to increase your home-safety. Everything from adding extra security locks, replacing vulnerable windows with impact-resistant glass, installing grills and motion sensitive lights to planting thorny bushes or shrubs under ground floor windows will make your apartment less attractive to possible intruders.

 

Fire-Safety

 

One of the biggest safety concerns is fire. So, while going through a flat you’re thinking of renting, make sure there are smoke detectors. Even if you are an extremely responsible person, there is a chance that your neighbors might not be.

 

Fire can spread very fast from one apartment to another, moving though the common areas, and spreading smoke all over the building complex. Smoke detectors will be able to warn you about the possible danger and give you enough time to leave your flat before the situation becomes critical. They should be installed in rooms where the fire usually starts like a kitchen and having one is each bedroom or hallway would be a good idea too.

 

To protect some of your belongings from the flames, you might want to consider installing a safe. This box will be able to protect your priceless possessions not only from fire but from burglars as well. There are small and pretty inexpensive safes that can be easily placed almost anywhere in your home. Research and ask vendors which ones will be difficult to break into or carried away by the robbers before you make your decision.

 

Have a Security System Set In Place

 

There are many ways you can make your home feel safe and a good security system is just one of them. If you’re wondering whether they payoff, certain studies show that they minimize the chances of your home being burgled by as much as 60%. Simply, the majority of robbers don’t want to deal with alarm systems.

 

In the last several years, these systems have become rather sophisticated through integration with smart home technology. The alarm going off is still part of what they have to offer to those who use them but there are added features like getting a notification on your phone when someone unauthorized enters your apartment. You can also install motion sensors and video monitoring with direct feed to your smartphone at all times.

 

Your home should be your safe haven. The things listed above are the most basic ways you can ensure your apartment is a secure place where you can completely relax and sleep soundly and without fear.