5 Reliable Ways to Protect Your Belongings As a Tenant
Moving into a new apartment can be an exciting milestone in life. However, taking proactive steps to protect your property should anything unexpected happen is paramount. Whether it’s safeguarding against theft or natural disasters, here are five tips to protect your possessions while renting an apartment or house.
1. Install Security Cameras
While security cameras may not capture all activity outside your rental unit, they can help provide evidence should something occur inside or outside your rental home that requires investigation by authorities. Just make sure you check with your landlord first before installation. They may require permission or have restrictions on where the cameras can be placed within the property’s premises.
2. Use a Storage Unit
Consider renting one if you have expensive items or sentimental objects you would be devastated to lose. Before renting, read the contract in detail and ensure ample insurance coverage is included in case something goes wrong. Many storage companies have 24-hour surveillance for maximum security alongside onsite personnel who can respond quickly should an emergency occur. All these features will guarantee peace of mind and ensure one’s belongings are safeguarded from potential theft or damage.
3. Get Renters Insurance
Renters’ insurance typically costs around $15 to $20 per month, making it an affordable way to protect yourself financially in case of theft, fire, or other damage caused by natural disasters and unforeseen events. Getting a renters insurance quote to compare the best coverage and price is always wise. Some policies cover only your personal belongings and liability costs, while others extend coverage to include damage to the rental property. Other policies even reimburse temporary housing costs if your rental is uninhabitable due to damage from a covered event. Before signing up for any policy, read the fine print to know what coverage you are getting.
4. Secure Windows and Doors
Make sure all windows and doors are properly secured at all times when not in use so that they cannot be easily opened by intruders looking for easy access into your home or apartment. Replace old locks with newer ones that require keycodes instead of physical ones to open them. It will give you more control over who has access to certain areas of the property during different times of day or night. Especially if your roommate brings strangers into your apartment consistently, having an alarm system will provide peace of mind. Installing window alarms or doorbell cameras so you know when people come and go from your home without having to be there yourself all the time physically.
5. Do a Thorough Inspection Before Move-In
Before signing the lease and moving into the rental property, thoroughly inspect the space so that you can spot any potential problems before they become big issues later on down the line. Inspect each room for signs of water damage, mold growth, pests, structural issues, and anything that could pose health risks or be expensive repairs down the line should be noted before signing anything binding. If there is an issue with something after move-in, you have proof from your initial inspection report that it was already present when you moved in.
Moving into a new rental property can bring lots of joy but also lots of stress as well, especially when it comes to protecting your belongings as a tenant. Following these five tips for getting renters insurance, considering using storage units, conducting thorough inspections before move-in investing in smart home security systems can help ensure that all of your possessions will stay safe and sound during even the most tumultuous move-in process.
Brotherly Love Real Estate buys houses for a living. We provide safe spaces for our tenants to live. As landlords ourselves with over +16 units, our team works hard to offer comfortable living environments for tenants.