Home Security Mistakes Most Renters Make
A lot of renters assume that home security is their landlord’s job. And while landlords do have responsibilities, the reality is that most break-ins happen because of small, fixable issues that tenants overlook.
Deadbolts that haven’t been changed between tenancies. Window latches that don’t quite catch. A spare key sitting under a pot plant anyone could spot. The gap between “technically secure” and actually secure is wider than most people think, and there’s a lot you can do about it without waiting for your landlord.
Locks That Were Never Changed After Move-In
This is one of the most common oversights in rented properties. When you move in, you have no idea how many copies of your key exist. Previous tenants, their friends, contractors, former partners. Any of them could still have a working key to your front door. It’s a risk most people don’t think about until something goes wrong.
You don’t always need your landlord’s sign-off to address this. In many cases, getting a new key cut or replacing a cylinder is a simple job. Services like Fast Keys let you order replacement keys and locks online at a reasonable price, which means you can sort it quickly without waiting weeks for a landlord to respond. Just keep the old cylinder so you can restore it when you move out.
Spare Keys Left in Obvious Places
Under the doormat. On top of the door frame. Behind the bin. These are the first places anyone would look, including someone with bad intentions. Leaving a spare key outside is one of the easiest ways to compromise your home without even realising it.
If you genuinely need a spare key somewhere accessible, give it to a neighbour you trust or a family member nearby. If you must leave one outside, at least use a proper key safe with a combination code, fixed securely to an external wall. A cheap magnetic box tucked under a ledge won’t cut it.
Window and Door Vulnerabilities Renters Often Ignore
Dodgy Window Latches
Window locks are often the weakest point in a rental property. Older sash windows, in particular, can be opened from the outside with very little effort if the latch is worn or poorly fitted. Ground floor and first floor windows are especially worth checking, since these are the most likely entry points for opportunist burglars.
If the latch feels loose or doesn’t lock properly, report it to your landlord in writing. In the meantime, window restrictor locks are inexpensive and can be fitted without drilling in most cases. They won’t replace a proper repair, but they add a layer of resistance while you wait.
Doors That Don’t Quite Shut Properly
A door that sticks, doesn’t close flush, or has visible gaps around the frame can be forced open with surprisingly little effort. It’s easy to get used to a slightly awkward door and stop noticing it as a problem. Check all external doors, including any that lead to a shared hallway or garage, and make sure they close and lock securely every time.
If a door has a lock but no deadbolt, it’s worth asking your landlord about adding one. A spring latch alone can be opened with a credit card. A deadbolt can’t.
Not Thinking About Communal Areas
If you live in a block of flats or a shared house, security doesn’t start at your front door. It starts at the main entrance. Propped-open communal doors, broken entry systems, and buzzed-in strangers are all ways that someone can get close to your property before you even know they’re there.
You might not be able to fix a broken entry system yourself, but you can report it and chase it up. Don’t let people you don’t recognise tailgate you through the main entrance either. It feels awkward, but it’s a reasonable boundary to hold.
In the End
Renting doesn’t mean handing over responsibility for your own safety. Most of the mistakes covered here are cheap and quick to fix. Check your locks, deal with weak latches, and think twice before leaving a spare key anywhere predictable. Small changes add up, and they’re usually the difference between a property that gets targeted and one that doesn’t.
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