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  • Apartment and Flat Security: A Complete Practical Guide

    Universal apartment security guide

    Apartment and flat security

    Protect the route from the street to your front door—including communal entrances, corridors, balconies, deliveries, parking and storage—not only the rooms inside.

    Building perimeter

    Entrance doors, gates, lighting and visitor access form the first layer—even when you do not control their maintenance.

    Your front door

    The door, frame, lock, hinges and viewer must work together. Report defects before adding gadgets.

    Private space

    Use proportionate alarms and sensors while protecting neighbours’ privacy and preserving emergency escape.

    Start at the street, not the sofa

    ZoneWhat to inspectBest first action
    Street entranceDoor closer, latch, lock, intercom, lighting and tailgatingReport faults with photos and dates
    Corridor or landingVisibility, fire doors, blind corners and unauthorised storageKeep escape routes clear; ask management about defects
    Apartment doorFrame, lock, hinges, glazing, viewer and letter openingRepair weakness; seek permission before altering hardware
    Windows/balconyReachability from roofs, pipes, trees, adjoining balconies or fire escapesLock accessible openings and remove climbing aids
    Parking/storageGate operation, lighting, cage visibility and anchorsRemove valuables from view and secure items independently
    Delivery areaUnattended parcels, open lobbies and predictable routinesUse secure collection or attended delivery options

    Communal entrance habits

    • Do not admit unknown visitors merely because they claim to be delivering to another resident.
    • Avoid allowing someone to follow you through a controlled entrance; move to safety rather than confronting them.
    • Confirm the main door closes and latches after every use.
    • Report lost fobs, copied keys and failed intercoms promptly.
    • Never wedge fire or security doors open.
    • Agree a reliable process for contractors, cleaners, carers and deliveries.

    Front-door security

    Inspect

    Look for movement in the frame, loose hardware, gaps, damaged glazing and a latch that fails unless the door is slammed.

    Verify visitors

    Use a viewer, intercom or approved doorbell. Do not open fully until you understand who is there and why.

    Control keys

    Know who holds keys, avoid address-labelled keyrings and remove former occupants from connected access systems.

    Fire safety comes first. Do not install barricades, chains, replacement locks or smart hardware that could delay escape or conflict with a fire-rated door. Obtain permission and qualified advice where required.

    Ground-floor and easily reached apartments

    • Treat balcony and patio doors as external entrances, including anti-lift protection where appropriate.
    • Lock windows when unattended and whenever you are not in the room.
    • Use privacy coverings without hiding signs of forced entry from view.
    • Move bins, furniture and planters that create climbing access.
    • Consider removable contact or vibration sensors on the most exposed openings.
    • Position lighting and cameras carefully so they cover your approach rather than neighbours’ private areas.

    Upper floors are not automatically secure

    Check windows and balconies reachable from adjoining balconies, flat roofs, external stairs, drainpipes, scaffolding or shared terraces. Building work can temporarily create new access routes. Lock balcony doors, do not leave valuables visible and ask building management how scaffolding access is controlled.

    Alarm and camera setup

    • Use a door contact as the core sensor, then add only the windows or internal routes that materially improve detection.
    • Choose pet-aware motion detection if animals are present.
    • Test whether mobile alerts arrive when the phone is locked or in battery-saving mode.
    • Use a siren volume and duration appropriate to the building and local rules.
    • Avoid filming a neighbour’s doorway, window or private interior.
    • Disable unnecessary audio recording and configure privacy zones.
    • Use unique passwords, multi-factor authentication and current firmware.

    Parcels, bicycles, cars and storage cages

    Deliveries

    Prefer lockers, collection points, attended reception or delivery to a trusted person. Retrieve parcels promptly.

    Bicycles

    Use a strong lock to a fixed anchor even inside a “secure” store, record the serial number and keep a photograph.

    Parking/storage

    Keep remotes and valuables out of vehicles. Treat wire cages as visible deterrents, not private safes; conceal and independently secure items.

    Five-minute leaving routine

    • Lock the apartment door fully and check accessible windows and balcony doors.
    • Set the alarm and confirm the app shows the expected state.
    • Remove keys, wallets and electronics from view.
    • Take parcels inside and secure bicycles or mobility equipment.
    • Check that the communal entrance closes behind you.
    • For longer trips, arrange deliveries and avoid broadcasting that the apartment is empty.

    Build an apartment-specific plan

    Map your entrance, accessible windows, balcony, corridor and storage areas before deciding how many devices you need.

    Run the risk assessmentPlan cameras and sensorsRenter security guide

    Country and building differences

    These principles are universal. Tenancy permissions, strata or condominium rules, fire-door standards, surveillance law, alarm permits and landlord duties differ by location and building. Country-specific recommendations will be published separately where those differences materially change the advice.

    General information only. Never alter communal property, fire protection, doors, locks, wiring or external walls without the required permission and qualified advice.

  • Home Security for Landlords: Protecting Tenants and Property

    Universal landlord security framework

    Home security for landlords

    A practical system for protecting tenants and property—without intrusive surveillance, unmanaged access or equipment that becomes useless at every change of tenancy.

    1

    Secure the building

    Start with doors, windows, locks, lighting and safe boundaries before adding connected equipment.

    2

    Define responsibility

    Document who manages keys, codes, repairs, batteries, monitoring and emergency contacts.

    3

    Respect the tenant

    Avoid cameras in private living areas and minimise collection around entrances and shared spaces.

    The security hierarchy

    Reliable physical security should carry the greatest load. Technology can detect, record and notify, but it cannot compensate for a door that does not latch, a broken communal entry system or an unknown number of copied keys.

    1. Repair: correct damaged doors, frames, windows, gates and lighting.
    2. Control: manage keys, fobs, codes, contractors and tenant changes.
    3. Deter: use visible but proportionate lighting, alarms and signage.
    4. Detect: add suitable sensors, alarms or cameras where justified.
    5. Respond: define what happens after an alert, fault or break-in.

    Between-tenancy security reset

    • Recover and account for keys, fobs, garage remotes and access cards.
    • Assess whether locks should be changed or re-keyed under the lease and applicable local requirements.
    • Remove former tenants and household members from alarms, locks, intercoms and smart-home accounts.
    • Change alarm codes, door codes, Wi-Fi credentials and shared administrator passwords.
    • Factory-reset landlord-owned connected devices before assigning them to a new household.
    • Test every door, window, light, sensor, siren, battery and notification route.
    • Document the condition and provide clear operating instructions to the new tenant.

    Who should control each system?

    SystemSensible defaultHandover question
    Private dwelling alarmTenant normally controls routine arming and household codesWho receives alerts, handles faults and pays monitoring?
    Smart lockTenant has transparent day-to-day control; landlord access follows the lease and lawCan access logs be seen, and who can create or revoke users?
    Internal cameraAvoid landlord-operated cameras inside a tenant’s private homeIs the device removed, transferred or reset before occupation?
    Communal CCTVLandlord or building manager with a documented purpose and access policyWhat is recorded, for how long, and who can disclose footage?
    Intercom and entry systemBuilding manager maintains; tenants control visitor admissionHow are lost fobs and former residents removed?
    Smoke/CO safety devicesInstall, test and maintain according to local law and manufacturer instructionsWho tests during occupation and reports faults?

    Privacy-first camera decisions

    Do not treat consent as a box to tick. Housing relationships involve an imbalance of power, and surveillance inside a private dwelling is highly intrusive. Use the least invasive measure capable of addressing a clearly defined risk.
    • Write down the purpose before installation and reconsider whether a lock, light, intercom or access-control repair would solve it.
    • Keep cameras out of bedrooms, bathrooms and private living spaces.
    • Limit communal coverage to necessary approaches; avoid neighbours’ doors and windows where possible.
    • Disable unnecessary audio, facial recognition and behavioural analytics.
    • Use visible notices where required and explain recording, retention, access and complaint routes.
    • Restrict footage access, use multi-factor authentication and review access logs.
    • Set a proportionate retention period instead of storing footage indefinitely.

    Maintenance and incident plan

    Routine

    Schedule checks for lock alignment, door closers, window hardware, lighting, batteries, camera views, timestamps and account access.

    Fault

    Give tenants one clear reporting route. Prioritise defects that leave the property insecure and document temporary safeguards.

    Incident

    Preserve evidence, support police and insurer requests, secure the entry point and avoid publishing footage publicly.

    Multi-unit and shared buildings

    • Ensure communal doors close and latch without residents needing to slam them.
    • Use accountable fobs rather than indefinitely shared codes where practical.
    • Provide safe delivery arrangements and secure cycle or storage areas.
    • Keep escape routes, fire doors and emergency access fully functional.
    • Use lighting that improves visibility without disturbing residents or neighbours.
    • Make reporting a broken entrance, light or intercom simple and traceable.

    Plan the property before selecting products

    Audit weak points, map entrances and sensors, and compare the level of monitoring the property genuinely needs.

    Run the risk assessmentOpen placement plannerPrevention checklist

    Important country differences

    The security principles above are broadly applicable, but landlord duties, tenant rights, lock changes, notice, emergency access, alarm permits, CCTV, audio recording and data protection vary by jurisdiction. Follow the law and tenancy rules where the property is located. Separate country-specific landlord guides will address those differences rather than combining them here.

    General information only—not legal, tenancy, insurance, fire-safety or data-protection advice. Safety systems must never obstruct an emergency exit or interfere with required fire protection.

  • Home Security for Renters: Practical, Deposit-Friendly Protection

    Practical, renter-friendly home security

    Home security for renters

    Protect your home without losing your deposit, breaching a lease or leaving the next tenant with access to your cameras and accounts.

    Start free

    Control access

    Lock doors and windows, keep keys secure, report defects promptly and never allow unknown visitors to follow you through a communal entrance.

    No drilling

    Add portable layers

    Use removable contact sensors, freestanding cameras, portable alarms, window vibration sensors and renter-safe lighting.

    Protect your deposit

    Get permission

    Ask in writing before drilling, replacing locks, attaching an external doorbell, wiring an alarm or changing a communal area.

    The renter’s golden rule

    Separate reversible improvements from alterations. A plug-in camera is usually very different from replacing a lock or drilling through an external wall. Your lease, building rules, insurance and local law determine what is allowed. When in doubt, describe the exact product, mounting method, location and removal plan to the landlord or property manager—and keep the written answer.

    What you can usually improve without permanent work

    Security layerRent-friendly optionsCheck first
    DoorsDoor viewer use, portable door alarm, removable open sensorNever use a device that obstructs emergency exit or breaches fire rules
    WindowsRemovable contact/vibration sensor, closing checks, privacy film where permittedDo not block designated escape windows
    CamerasFreestanding indoor camera facing your own entrance; removable mountsField of view, audio recording, neighbours, shared spaces and consent
    LightingPlug-in timers, smart bulbs, battery lights inside your rented areaShared corridors and exterior fixtures normally need permission
    AlarmPortable hub, contact sensors and keypad with removable fixingsAlarm permits, monitoring contract, siren rules and landlord access
    ValuablesInventory, insurance, tracker, cable lock or portable lockboxDo not bolt a safe down without written approval

    Security priorities by property type

    Apartment or flat

    • Report faulty communal doors, gates and lights.
    • Do not buzz in unknown visitors or allow tailgating.
    • Check balconies, ground-floor windows and storage cages.
    • Keep deliveries from accumulating in shared areas.

    Shared house

    • Agree who locks external doors and sets alarms.
    • Do not share master account passwords.
    • Use separate profiles and remove former housemates promptly.
    • Secure your bedroom where the tenancy and fire rules permit.

    Rented house

    • Include sheds, garages, side gates and accessible windows.
    • Keep ladders and tools secure.
    • Ask before adding exterior cameras or lighting.
    • Confirm who holds spare keys and alarm codes.

    Before buying a video doorbell or camera

    • Ask permission: exterior doors, frames and communal corridors may not belong solely to you.
    • Minimise the view: capture your doorway and immediate approach rather than neighbours’ homes or shared living areas.
    • Review audio: continuous sound recording can be more intrusive and may be regulated differently from video.
    • Use privacy zones: mask irrelevant windows, pavements or adjoining property where the product supports it.
    • Protect the account: use a unique password, multi-factor authentication and current firmware.
    • Plan the exit: know how to remove the device, repair any marks, export evidence and delete your data when moving.

    Privacy and surveillance rules differ substantially between countries—and within US states, Canadian provinces and Australian states or territories. A landlord’s approval does not replace compliance with privacy law.

    When the landlord should act

    Report defects in writing with photographs and dates. Examples include a door that will not latch, broken lock, insecure window, failed communal entry system, missing lighting or evidence that keys remain with an unauthorised person. Explain the immediate risk and ask for the repair timeframe. For urgent danger, use the relevant emergency service; do not wait for routine property management.

    Changing a lock: do not assume you may replace or re-key it. Lease rules and local tenancy law vary, and emergency access may need to be preserved. If keys are lost, stolen or potentially copied, contact the landlord or agent promptly and agree the action in writing.

    Moving-in security reset

    • Test every door, window, gate, garage and storage lock.
    • Ask who holds keys and whether locks were changed or re-keyed after the last tenancy.
    • Reset permitted alarm codes, smart-lock users, intercom access and garage remotes.
    • Confirm smoke and carbon-monoxide alarms are present and working as locally required.
    • Change the Wi-Fi name, router administrator password and default credentials on your own devices.
    • Document existing damage before attaching removable equipment.

    Moving-out digital checklist

    • Export any footage you are legally entitled and need to retain, then delete unneeded recordings.
    • Factory-reset cameras, sensors, hubs, routers and smart locks you are leaving behind.
    • Remove the address from apps, routines, geofencing and voice-assistant accounts.
    • Revoke household members, installers and integrations; cancel monitoring or move the service.
    • Remove equipment carefully and restore surfaces as agreed.
    • Return every authorised key, fob and remote—and obtain confirmation.

    Build a renter-friendly system

    Answer a few questions about your property, entrances, household and budget, then map equipment without buying unnecessary hardware.

    Get recommendationsAssess your risksCheck privacy and accounts

    Privacy guidance and further reading

    UK ICO: home CCTV · US FTC: privacy and security · Canada OPC: connected cameras · Australia OAIC: security cameras · Ireland DPC: domestic CCTV.

    This guide provides general principles that apply across markets. It is not legal or tenancy advice. Check your lease and current local rules before altering a property or recording outside your private space.

  • The Complete Home Burglary Prevention Checklist

    Interactive home-security audit

    The complete burglary-prevention checklist

    Work from the outside in. Tick each measure already in place, identify the easiest weaknesses to fix, and save your progress automatically on this device.

    Your progress0 of 32 checked

    1. Five-minute essentials

    Free habits that close common opportunities.

    2. Front and back doors

    Your door is a system: leaf, frame, lock, hinges and glazing.

    3. Windows and accessible openings

    Include upper windows reachable from extensions, roofs, bins or walls.

    4. Garden and boundaries

    Discourage hidden access without creating a fortress.

    5. Lighting and occupancy

    Good lighting improves visibility; realistic routines make absence less obvious.

    6. Alarm, cameras and doorbells

    Technology should support—not replace—physical security.

    7. Digital security

    A stolen or compromised device should not unlock the rest of your home.

    8. Valuables and recovery

    Reduce loss and make stolen property easier to identify.

    Turn this audit into a tailored plan

    The strongest next step depends on your property, entry points, household, ownership status and budget.

    Renter security guideRun the risk assessmentPlan camera and sensor positionsIf a burglary has happened

    Official guidance and further reading

    UK: Police.uk · US: Seattle Police · Canada: RCMP · Australia: NSW Police · Ireland: An Garda Síochána.

    Security needs vary. Landlords, leaseholders and tenants should check permissions before altering doors, windows, communal areas or wiring. Keep fire escape routes usable and seek qualified advice for locks, alarms and electrical work.

  • What to Do After a Burglary: The First 24 Hours

    UK emergency action guide

    What to do after a burglary

    A calm, practical checklist for the first 24 hours—from staying safe and preserving evidence to protecting your money, arranging repairs and beginning to feel secure again.

    If the intruder may still be inside, the crime is happening now, someone is in danger or needs urgent help: move to a safe place, do not confront anyone, and call 999. If it is no longer an emergency, report the burglary to your local police online or by calling 101.
    1

    First 10 minutes

    Get everyone to safety. Call police. Do not enter or search the property if there is any chance someone remains inside.

    2

    First 2 hours

    Preserve the scene, secure CCTV copies, list obvious losses, and contact banks or phone providers where needed.

    3

    Rest of the day

    Contact your insurer, arrange approved emergency repairs, replace exposed keys and ask for support.

    1. Stay safe and report it

    • Wait somewhere safe—a neighbour’s home, locked vehicle or public place—if you are unsure whether the property is clear.
    • Tell police about injuries, threats, weapons, suspicious people or vehicles, and whether children or vulnerable people are involved.
    • For a non-emergency, use your local police force’s online reporting service or call 101.
    • Write down your crime reference number and the officer or team’s contact details; your insurer is likely to ask for them.

    2. Protect possible evidence

    Pause before cleaning up. Avoid touching disturbed doors, windows, handles, drawers, footprints, blood, tools or objects that may have been left behind. Police may advise that a forensic examiner attends.
    • Keep people and pets away from affected rooms and entry points.
    • If weather threatens a footprint or item outside, ask police what to do. If something must be protected or moved, use clean gloves or a clean plastic bag over your hand, handle edges, and note its original position.
    • Photograph visible damage and the wider scene only when it is safe and police have not asked you to wait.
    • Do not post images, suspect descriptions or video publicly while an investigation is active.

    3. Save camera and doorbell footage

    • Download the original clips from cameras, doorbells, alarms and vehicle cameras before cloud retention expires.
    • Save footage from before, during and after the event; include timestamps and nearby approaches, not only the moment of entry.
    • Keep an untouched original and a separate working copy. Record the device, time zone and any clock error you notice.
    • Ask neighbours to preserve relevant footage, but let police coordinate public sharing.

    4. Limit further loss

    Cards & identity

    Contact banks and card issuers immediately. Report stolen passports, driving licences and other identity documents to the issuing authority. Watch accounts for unfamiliar activity.

    Phones & accounts

    Ask the network to block a stolen phone or SIM. Use trusted-device controls to mark it lost, then change important passwords and revoke exposed sessions.

    Keys & vehicles

    Tell police and your insurer if house or vehicle keys were taken. Arrange lock changes or re-keying, and move vehicles if spare keys may be compromised.

    5. Contact your insurer before permanent repairs

    • Notify your home or contents insurer promptly and follow its claims process.
    • Ask what emergency work is authorised and whether it has an approved repair network.
    • Keep damaged items unless the insurer or police says they can be disposed of.
    • Make an inventory with descriptions, serial numbers, receipts, photos and approximate purchase dates. Save every invoice and repair receipt.

    If a door or window cannot be secured, prioritise safety and weatherproofing—but photograph the damage and preserve removed parts where practical.

    6. Make tonight safer

    • After police and insurer guidance, repair the entry point and replace compromised locks.
    • Reset alarm, camera, router and smart-home passwords if devices or written credentials were taken.
    • Check that cameras are recording, times are correct, notifications work and cloud plans are active.
    • Use lights, a trusted neighbour and temporary door or window security while permanent work is arranged.

    7. Look after the people, not just the property

    Shock, anger, poor sleep and feeling unsafe at home are common after burglary. There is no “correct” reaction. In England and Wales, Victim Support offers free, confidential help independently of the police, including a 24/7 Supportline on 08 08 16 89 111. You do not have to manage the aftermath alone.

    Your next security review

    When the immediate situation is stable, review the route used to enter—not just the product that failed. Start with exposure, sight lines, lighting, locks, alarm coverage, notification settings and who can access each account.

    Prevention checklistAudit 34 practical safeguardsRisk assessmentFind weak points in a few minutesPlacement plannerMap cameras and sensors room by roomPrivacy checklistHarden accounts and connected devices

    Official help and sources

    This guide provides general information, not legal, insurance or emergency advice. Police arrangements differ across the UK; follow the instructions of your local force and insurer.