As a renter, your security concerns are unique. Living in close proximity to other tenants, as well as the high volume of foot traffic in your complex, means your apartment may have an increased risk of intrusion and burglary. This guide offers tips to consider when choosing an apartment, and suggestions for keeping the place safe after you've signed the lease.

Before Moving In

Before deciding on a new residence, it is important to consider security. Follow these guidelines before signing a lease to help protect yourself and your family.

1. Research Local Crime

   When you think you've found your dream apartment, check local crime data in its vicinity. Make sure you know about any troubling activities in the area before committing to a lease. Talk to the local police and your future landlord and neighbors to get an honest picture of what life will be like in your new place. Websites like CrimeReports.com, CrimeMapping.com, and SpotCrime.com can give you a good idea of the local crime history in almost any community.

2. Test Lighting

   Robbers and intruders prefer to sneak around in poorly-lit or dark areas. Therefore, when considering an apartment, check the entrances, hallways, walkways, parking areas, elevators, stairways, mail areas, and laundry rooms to make sure they have enough lighting at night. If not, talk to your landlord about getting more lights installed or consider installing your own motion sensor lights around the entrances of your unit. The fewer places an offender has to hide, the safer you'll be.

3. Observe General Upkeep

   Take in the general look and feel of your new place. Broken windows, cracked drywall, or water stains could show a lack of concern from the landlord. Check to see if the lawn and landscaping are well-kept. If the landlord can't take care of basic maintenance, he or she probably isn't concerned with general security.

4. Check Apartment Entrances

   When looking at apartments, consider the security of the building. Many times, an outside entry door will require a key, pass code, or buzz-in to access the hallways and doors of the actual apartments. This way, residents control who can approach their apartment door, reducing loitering, break-ins, and solicitors.

5. Try the Peephole

   A peephole can keep you and your family safe by allowing you to see who's at your door before you open it. If your door does not have a peephole, inquire about having one installed before you move in. When a questionable character is at your door, a peephole will help you and your children avoid any compromising situations. Installing a smart doorbell camera is another option, depending on the type of apartment complex you live in. Smart doorbells allow you to see who is visiting your apartment through your smartphone, so you don’t even need to get up if you discover it’s a solicitor.

6. Get New Door Locks

   Replacing your locks reduces the risk of unwanted persons being able to access your new place. Many landlords say they've replaced the locks, but sometimes apartment managers will just rotate the old locks between apartments, and extra keys are not always returned. When you move into new housing, you never know how many keys have gone missing or how many previous tenants may still have keys. Ask your landlord about having your locks replaced with brand new locks, not redistributed old ones. Don't risk somebody being able to return to your apartment with an old key.

7. Examine Window Locks

   Good window locks keep intruders from gaining easy access to your residence. This is especially true for windows on the ground level, but all windows should be properly checked—you'd be surprised how determined burglars can be. Treat all windows as potential entry points, and make sure all window locks are working properly and cannot be manipulated from the outside.

8. Note Fire Escapes

   In apartment complexes, exterior fire escapes can be lifesavers during an emergency, but their access to windows and balconies can also attract burglars. If your apartment has a fire escape, make sure it is stored properly off the ground, so intruders can't reach your apartment.

After Moving In

Once you've found your dream apartment, keep your family and valuables safe with ongoing security measures.

1. Buy Additional Locks

   For added safety, consider installing a deadbolt and chain lock if your door doesn't already have them. A deadbolt is more secure and difficult to pick than a standard doorknob lock, because the deadbolt only opens by rotating the lock cylinder, whereas a spring bolt lock can be retracted by applying force to the bolt itself. Additionally, a chain lock provides an extra layer of security when opening your door, allowing you to open your door a crack to talk to a stranger or ask for identification, before opening up completely.

2. Bolster Sliding Doors

   Balcony doors are great for sunshine and views, but they can pose a hazard if they are not properly secured. An unsecured sliding door can provide an intruder with a relatively untraceable and quiet entrance to your place. While it's important to always lock your balcony door when it's not in use, many sliding doors have inadequate locks and come off their tracks with just a nudge. For optimal security, make sure to arm your sliding door with an inside bar lock or a pole on the track. You can also install a secondary locking mechanism with a metal pin inserted through the doorframe and into the sliding door.

3. Invest in Good Blinds

   Good blinds may prevent robbers from looking inside your home and being tempted by all the valuables they see. Install blinds that completely block the view from outside, and make sure to close them when you go out. That way, you'll keep wandering eyes from scanning your valuables and reduce your risk of break-ins.

4. Use a Safe

   A safe can be a last line of defense to protect your most valuable and irreplaceable possessions. Items such as jewelry, cash, firearms, and sensitive documents can be locked away in a fireproof case. Safes come in all sizes and range in price from under $100 to thousands of dollars. Find a safe that fits your budget and needs, and talk to your landlord about bolting it to a floor or wall, so a burglar can't pick it up and take it. While a safe can't guarantee the absolute protection of your property, it can be effective at hiding items from thieves who are just looking to grab valuables in plain sight and escape quickly.

5. Get Renters Insurance

   Renters insurance will protect the value of your possessions in case they are stolen or destroyed by a disaster. Your landlord may have an insurance policy, but those generally only cover the building you live in, not your personal belongings. Many insurance companies offer policies specifically for renters that run about $20 a month and cover all your property at the full replacement cost. Renters insurance can also protect you in case of a liability lawsuit where you are deemed responsible for the damage of another tenant's property. You may think you don't own very much, but consider the cost of replacing everything you own in the event of a theft, fire, or severe weather. If you wouldn't be able to recover from the loss, then renters insurance is a good option.

6. Install a Security System

   Renters are 85% more likely to experience a home invasion than those who own their homes, and while many security companies won't sell to renters, some will. In the past, security systems were not renter-friendly due to an intrusive installation process, but now renters have several options:

FrontPoint Security

Once you buy the 100% wireless system it's your to take with you to your next residence at no charge.

LifeShield Security

Any home, anywhere. No wires or installation technician. Easy to set up.

SimpliSafe Home Security Systems

No wires, no phone, no contracts.

For additional help look at our reviews of the best security systems.

When renting an apartment, take your safety into your own hands and make sure to explore all your security options. Don't let your landlord dictate the safety of your apartment. Instead, work with your landlord to make sure your residence is secure, and take personal steps to keep it that way.

For more information on how to secure your apartment, check out our blog and other resource pages.

Sources:
• http://www.statefarm.com/insurance/renters/renters.asp