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.
How to Plan a Spontaneous Vacation – Booking a Cruise at the Last Minute
Life has a funny way of presenting you with a free weekend just when you least expect it. Maybe you’ve had a cancellation, maybe wanderlust has simply got the better of you, either way, you’re now seriously considering booking a cruise with barely any notice. And honestly? That’s not as mad as it sounds
BBC casting call: Will You Be My Friend? – children aged 5–8 who are struggling to make friends
The BBC is casting children aged 5–8 who are finding it hard to make friends for new BBC One/iPlayer series Will You Be My Friend? Apply at bemyfriend.tv.
EXPERIENCE AN EXCLUSIVE SUPPER CLUB AT FUMO MANCHESTER IN SUPPORT OF MAGGIE’S
Fumo Manchester is hosting an exclusive Supper Club celebrating the flavours of Puglia — all in support of Maggie’s, the charity providing vital cancer support. Guests will enjoy a curated four‑course menu, wine pairings and an intimate dining experience, with all profits donated to help families facing cancer.
Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Driving the Rise of Pre‑Nups
Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the conversation around marriage by embracing pre‑nups as a practical tool rather than a taboo. Armed with better financial literacy, greater access to information, and a realistic understanding of modern relationships, younger couples are approaching marriage with both romance and long‑term planning in mind. For many, a pre‑nup isn’t about mistrust — it’s about mutual respect, transparency, and protecting the lives they’ve built before saying “I do.”
Children’s Online Privacy: 75% of Parents Fear Kids Aren’t Making Safe Choices Online
New research from the ICO shows 75% of parents worry their children aren’t making safe choices online, yet many rarely talk about online privacy at home. A new campaign is now encouraging families to treat digital privacy as an essential life skill, just like road safety or stranger danger.
Auntie Cath Cooks: Chilled Honey Chicken Poke Bowl & A Hot Soy Beef Poke Bowl
In this edition of Auntie Cath Cooks, Catherine Tyldesley shares two fresh, flavour-packed recipes perfect for busy family life — a chilled honey chicken poke bowl and a hot soy beef poke bowl. Simple, satisfying and full of goodness, they’re ideal for an easy lunch or midweek dinner.
Märchenhotel Braunwald Review: A Fairytale Family Hotel in Switzerland
A stay at Märchenhotel Braunwald feels like stepping into a fairytale, with snowy mountain views, family-friendly touches, and plenty to keep little ones entertained. In this BROOD travel review, Lolo Stubbs shares why this Swiss hotel is a magical choice for a relaxing family escape.
The Stress Hangover Working Mothers Rarely Name
Working mothers often carry an invisible mental and emotional load long after the day appears to be done. In this powerful piece, Sarie Taylor explores the “stress hangover” — the exhaustion, anxiety and overwhelm that can surface once the crisis has passed — and offers a compassionate reframe for why it happens and what it really means.
How the Clocks Going Forward Affects Baby and Toddler Sleep
The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are lighter, and for many parents that means one thing — sleep routines suddenly feel harder. In this expert column, Amanda shares why the seasonal light change can affect babies and toddlers, plus practical tips to help your child settle well, sleep longer, and wake less.
Women of the Year Awards 2026: Nominations Open for Inspirational Mums and Women Across the UK
The Women of the Year Awards are back for 2026, with nominations now open to celebrate exceptional women making an impact across the UK. From business and leadership to community and motherhood, this is a timely reminder to recognise the women whose work deserves to be seen.
How to Plan a Spontaneous Vacation – Booking a Cruise at the Last Minute
Life has a funny way of presenting you with a free weekend just when you least expect it. Maybe you’ve had a cancellation, maybe wanderlust has simply got the better of you, either way, you’re now seriously considering booking a cruise with barely any notice. And honestly? That’s not as mad as it sounds
BBC casting call: Will You Be My Friend? – children aged 5–8 who are struggling to make friends
The BBC is casting children aged 5–8 who are finding it hard to make friends for new BBC One/iPlayer series Will You Be My Friend? Apply at bemyfriend.tv.
EXPERIENCE AN EXCLUSIVE SUPPER CLUB AT FUMO MANCHESTER IN SUPPORT OF MAGGIE’S
Fumo Manchester is hosting an exclusive Supper Club celebrating the flavours of Puglia — all in support of Maggie’s, the charity providing vital cancer support. Guests will enjoy a curated four‑course menu, wine pairings and an intimate dining experience, with all profits donated to help families facing cancer.
Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Driving the Rise of Pre‑Nups
Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the conversation around marriage by embracing pre‑nups as a practical tool rather than a taboo. Armed with better financial literacy, greater access to information, and a realistic understanding of modern relationships, younger couples are approaching marriage with both romance and long‑term planning in mind. For many, a pre‑nup isn’t about mistrust — it’s about mutual respect, transparency, and protecting the lives they’ve built before saying “I do.”
Children’s Online Privacy: 75% of Parents Fear Kids Aren’t Making Safe Choices Online
New research from the ICO shows 75% of parents worry their children aren’t making safe choices online, yet many rarely talk about online privacy at home. A new campaign is now encouraging families to treat digital privacy as an essential life skill, just like road safety or stranger danger.
Auntie Cath Cooks: Chilled Honey Chicken Poke Bowl & A Hot Soy Beef Poke Bowl
In this edition of Auntie Cath Cooks, Catherine Tyldesley shares two fresh, flavour-packed recipes perfect for busy family life — a chilled honey chicken poke bowl and a hot soy beef poke bowl. Simple, satisfying and full of goodness, they’re ideal for an easy lunch or midweek dinner.
Märchenhotel Braunwald Review: A Fairytale Family Hotel in Switzerland
A stay at Märchenhotel Braunwald feels like stepping into a fairytale, with snowy mountain views, family-friendly touches, and plenty to keep little ones entertained. In this BROOD travel review, Lolo Stubbs shares why this Swiss hotel is a magical choice for a relaxing family escape.
The Stress Hangover Working Mothers Rarely Name
Working mothers often carry an invisible mental and emotional load long after the day appears to be done. In this powerful piece, Sarie Taylor explores the “stress hangover” — the exhaustion, anxiety and overwhelm that can surface once the crisis has passed — and offers a compassionate reframe for why it happens and what it really means.
How the Clocks Going Forward Affects Baby and Toddler Sleep
The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are lighter, and for many parents that means one thing — sleep routines suddenly feel harder. In this expert column, Amanda shares why the seasonal light change can affect babies and toddlers, plus practical tips to help your child settle well, sleep longer, and wake less.
Women of the Year Awards 2026: Nominations Open for Inspirational Mums and Women Across the UK
The Women of the Year Awards are back for 2026, with nominations now open to celebrate exceptional women making an impact across the UK. From business and leadership to community and motherhood, this is a timely reminder to recognise the women whose work deserves to be seen.
How to Plan a Spontaneous Vacation – Booking a Cruise at the Last Minute
Life has a funny way of presenting you with a free weekend just when you least expect it. Maybe you’ve had a cancellation, maybe wanderlust has simply got the better of you, either way, you’re now seriously considering booking a cruise with barely any notice. And honestly? That’s not as mad as it sounds
BBC casting call: Will You Be My Friend? – children aged 5–8 who are struggling to make friends
The BBC is casting children aged 5–8 who are finding it hard to make friends for new BBC One/iPlayer series Will You Be My Friend? Apply at bemyfriend.tv.
EXPERIENCE AN EXCLUSIVE SUPPER CLUB AT FUMO MANCHESTER IN SUPPORT OF MAGGIE’S
Fumo Manchester is hosting an exclusive Supper Club celebrating the flavours of Puglia — all in support of Maggie’s, the charity providing vital cancer support. Guests will enjoy a curated four‑course menu, wine pairings and an intimate dining experience, with all profits donated to help families facing cancer.
Why Millennials and Gen Z Are Driving the Rise of Pre‑Nups
Millennials and Gen Z are reshaping the conversation around marriage by embracing pre‑nups as a practical tool rather than a taboo. Armed with better financial literacy, greater access to information, and a realistic understanding of modern relationships, younger couples are approaching marriage with both romance and long‑term planning in mind. For many, a pre‑nup isn’t about mistrust — it’s about mutual respect, transparency, and protecting the lives they’ve built before saying “I do.”
Children’s Online Privacy: 75% of Parents Fear Kids Aren’t Making Safe Choices Online
New research from the ICO shows 75% of parents worry their children aren’t making safe choices online, yet many rarely talk about online privacy at home. A new campaign is now encouraging families to treat digital privacy as an essential life skill, just like road safety or stranger danger.
Auntie Cath Cooks: Chilled Honey Chicken Poke Bowl & A Hot Soy Beef Poke Bowl
In this edition of Auntie Cath Cooks, Catherine Tyldesley shares two fresh, flavour-packed recipes perfect for busy family life — a chilled honey chicken poke bowl and a hot soy beef poke bowl. Simple, satisfying and full of goodness, they’re ideal for an easy lunch or midweek dinner.
Märchenhotel Braunwald Review: A Fairytale Family Hotel in Switzerland
A stay at Märchenhotel Braunwald feels like stepping into a fairytale, with snowy mountain views, family-friendly touches, and plenty to keep little ones entertained. In this BROOD travel review, Lolo Stubbs shares why this Swiss hotel is a magical choice for a relaxing family escape.
The Stress Hangover Working Mothers Rarely Name
Working mothers often carry an invisible mental and emotional load long after the day appears to be done. In this powerful piece, Sarie Taylor explores the “stress hangover” — the exhaustion, anxiety and overwhelm that can surface once the crisis has passed — and offers a compassionate reframe for why it happens and what it really means.
How the Clocks Going Forward Affects Baby and Toddler Sleep
The clocks have gone forward, the evenings are lighter, and for many parents that means one thing — sleep routines suddenly feel harder. In this expert column, Amanda shares why the seasonal light change can affect babies and toddlers, plus practical tips to help your child settle well, sleep longer, and wake less.
Women of the Year Awards 2026: Nominations Open for Inspirational Mums and Women Across the UK
The Women of the Year Awards are back for 2026, with nominations now open to celebrate exceptional women making an impact across the UK. From business and leadership to community and motherhood, this is a timely reminder to recognise the women whose work deserves to be seen.
