Home Security Innovations Home Security Innovations

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  • Package and Doorstep Theft Prevention: A Practical Guide

    Doorstep security

    Make every delivery harder to steal

    A strong plan combines better delivery instructions, a less visible handover point, timely alerts and simple evidence. Cameras help, but they work best as one layer rather than the whole solution.

    Before delivery

    Choose collection, a staffed location, a trusted neighbour or a secure delivery point when those options are available.

    At the door

    Remove easy hiding places for thieves while creating a discreet, anchored location for parcels.

    After the alert

    Bring parcels in promptly and follow a consistent evidence-and-reporting process if one disappears.

    1. Control where the parcel goes

    • Use a parcel locker, collection point or staffed workplace where practical.
    • Add concise delivery instructions that cannot be misunderstood from the street.
    • Nominate a trusted neighbour only with their agreement.
    • Avoid requesting a “safe place” that is obvious, exposed to rain or easily reached from the pavement.
    • For high-value orders, prefer signature, collection or a scheduled delivery window when offered.
    Privacy check: do not put notes on the door announcing that nobody is home or when you will return.

    2. Create a secure drop zone

    A parcel box should be weather-resistant, fixed to a solid surface and positioned so a courier can use it without entering a private side or rear area. A one-way deposit design is generally stronger than an unlocked storage bench.

    • Anchor the box; a portable locked box can simply be carried away.
    • Keep the deposit opening away from easy reach-back access.
    • Make instructions visible to the courier but not an advertisement to passers-by.
    • Ensure the location does not obstruct an escape route, shared hallway or accessibility path.

    3. Use cameras and alerts intelligently

    Place a video doorbell or camera to capture the approach, the handover area and a useful face-level view. Configure a focused activity zone so passing traffic does not bury the alerts that matter.

    • Enable delivery or person alerts where supported.
    • Check that night lighting does not wash out faces or reflective clothing.
    • Retain only the footage you need and respect neighbours, shared spaces and local privacy rules.
    • Never use two-way audio to confront someone in person; protect yourself and preserve evidence.
    Important: a camera may deter opportunistic theft and provide evidence, but it does not physically secure a parcel.

    4. Reduce predictable patterns

    Frequent unattended deliveries make a home easier to target. Consolidate orders, vary collection arrangements and remove packaging promptly. Break down branded boxes before recycling so they do not advertise recent purchases.

    5. If a package is missing

    1. Check the delivery photo, tracking record, safe place, household members and immediate neighbours.
    2. Save screenshots and relevant camera footage before it is overwritten.
    3. Contact the retailer or delivery company using its official channel and record the case number.
    4. If theft appears likely, report it to the appropriate local police channel; use emergency services only for an immediate threat or incident in progress.
    5. Do not publish identifiable footage impulsively. Preserve the original and share it through appropriate official channels.

    A two-minute delivery routine

    • Tracking alerts switched on
    • Secure destination selected
    • Doorstep clear and lighting working
    • Camera online with correct time and activity zone
    • Parcel collected promptly after notification

    Build the rest of your home-security plan

    Use our free risk assessment to identify weak points beyond the front door, then compare the equipment and professional services that suit your home.

    Start the risk assessment

    Delivery options, consumer rights, privacy rules and police reporting routes vary by country and provider. Check the current terms and official guidance that apply where you live.

  • Shed, Garage and Garden Security: A Complete Practical Guide

    Universal outdoor-security guide

    Shed, garage and garden security

    Protect outbuildings as independent security zones—and stop ladders, tools, bins and unlocked gates from making the main home easier to enter.

    Control the route

    Boundaries, gates and lighting should discourage unseen access before someone reaches a door or window.

    Delay entry

    Strong doors, frames, hinges and correctly fitted locks matter more than a siren attached to weak timber.

    Secure contents

    Anchor valuable items inside, record serial numbers and avoid advertising what the building contains.

    Work from the boundary inward

    LayerCheckPurpose
    Front boundaryVisibility, lighting and clear addressImprove natural surveillance and emergency access
    Side/rear boundaryFence condition, gate lock and climbable objectsMake hidden access more difficult
    Outbuilding shellDoor, frame, roof, hinges, windows and panelsPrevent the lock being bypassed through weaker material
    Internal layerGround/wall anchors, cages and cabinetsKeep valuables secured after entry
    DetectionContact, vibration, motion, lighting or cameraProvide an actionable alert without replacing physical security

    Side gates and boundaries

    • Use a gate that matches the surrounding boundary and cannot be opened by simply reaching over.
    • Keep front planting low enough to preserve views; use suitable defensive planting at more private rear boundaries.
    • Move bins, benches and planters that create steps over gates, walls or fences.
    • Repair panels and latches promptly rather than relying on a camera to watch an open route.
    • Keep fire and emergency access usable and do not create hazardous traps.

    Shed security

    • Reinforce the complete door and frame; a strong padlock does little on a weak hasp or thin panel.
    • Protect exposed hinge pins and fit hardware with concealed or tamper-resistant fixings where appropriate.
    • Cover or reinforce windows and keep valuable contents out of sight.
    • Anchor bicycles, tools and machinery to a robust fixed point inside.
    • Use a separate alarm or sensor if the shed is beyond the main system’s reliable range.
    • Do not store house keys, vehicle keys or access devices in an outbuilding.

    Garage security

    External door

    Test the locking mechanism, emergency release, frame, side door and windows. Never leave the remote in a vehicle parked outside.

    Door into the home

    Treat an attached garage’s internal door as an external entrance while preserving required fire protection.

    Connected opener

    Remove old users, change default credentials, enable alerts and review opening history where supported.

    Bicycles, tools and machinery

    • Record make, model, serial number, distinctive marks and photographs.
    • Use an appropriate lock through the frame to a fixed anchor, even inside a locked building.
    • Store portable tools in a secured cabinet or cage and avoid leaving chargers visible.
    • Property-mark valuable items where a recognised local scheme is available.
    • Check insurance limits and whether outbuildings, bicycles or business tools need separate cover.

    Garden offices and studios

    A garden office may contain computers, documents and networking equipment but have lighter construction than the house. Use layered physical security, privacy blinds, appropriate alarms and secure backups. Keep work accounts protected with multi-factor authentication, and do not leave the router or storage devices exposed through glazing.

    Oil tanks, fuel and utilities

    Protect without obstructing safe access. Use appropriate lighting, level monitoring, locks or barriers designed for the equipment. Do not improvise around fuel, electrical or heating systems. Preserve supplier, maintenance and emergency access and follow local fire and environmental rules.

    Outdoor cameras and lighting

    • Capture the approach and identifying detail rather than a distant view of the whole garden.
    • Avoid glare, backlighting and vegetation that repeatedly triggers motion alerts.
    • Position equipment out of casual reach while keeping maintenance practical.
    • Use privacy zones to minimise views into neighbouring homes and gardens.
    • Check Wi-Fi signal, recording storage and night performance at the actual mounting point.
    • Use dusk-to-dawn or controlled lighting where it improves visibility without disturbing neighbours.

    Five-minute evening check

    • Lock gates, sheds, garages, garden offices and vehicles.
    • Put away ladders, tools, bicycles and portable equipment.
    • Bring parcels inside and remove valuables from vehicles.
    • Confirm outdoor lights, cameras and sensors show no faults.
    • Check garage remotes and keys are secured inside the home.

    Map the whole property

    Include boundaries, gates, sheds, garages, fuel storage and vehicle approaches in the same plan as the house.

    Run risk assessmentPlan outdoor placementUse night routine

    Country differences

    These layered-security principles are broadly universal. Boundary height, defensive planting, camera coverage, lighting, fuel storage, alarm permits and insurance rules vary locally. Obtain permission for rented, shared, strata or communal property and use qualified professionals where required.

  • The 5-Minute Night-Time Home Security Routine

    A repeatable five-minute habit

    The night-time home security routine

    Close the small gaps that create easy opportunities—inside, outside and online—without turning bedtime into a complicated inspection.

    Tonight’s routine0 of 18 complete

    Doors and windows

    Vehicles and outside

    Alarm and cameras

    People and routine

    Use night mode correctly

    Night or stay arming should protect the perimeter while allowing safe movement in occupied areas. Test the configuration during the day first. Confirm which doors, windows and motion sensors remain active, and ensure every household member knows how to disarm it without sharing codes publicly.

    Children, pets and accessibility

    • Do not add locks or barricades that prevent a child, older person or disabled resident from escaping.
    • Use pet-aware detection or exclude appropriate rooms to reduce avoidable alarms.
    • Keep emergency exits usable and keys accessible to occupants—but not reachable from outside.
    • Choose alerts that household members can perceive, including visual or vibrating options where needed.

    If something looks wrong

    Do not investigate a possible intruder alone. Move to a safer position, keep other occupants with you and contact the emergency service for the property’s location when there is immediate danger or a crime in progress. Do not rely on a neighbour, app notification or alarm siren as a substitute.

    Weekly two-minute checks

    • Review low-battery, offline-device and failed-recording warnings.
    • Test one alarm zone and verify the expected alert arrives.
    • Check that outdoor lights and camera views are not blocked by plants.
    • Confirm monitoring and cloud subscriptions remain active.
    • Remove former users and review shared account access.

    Strengthen the routine

    Use the full audit to address physical weaknesses, then verify camera and sensor positions around the routes that matter.

    Full prevention checklistPlacement plannerPrivacy checklist

  • Home Security While on Holiday: The Complete Checklist

    Universal travel-security checklist

    Home security while on holiday

    Make the property secure, keep it looking normally cared for, and decide who will act if an alarm, camera or neighbour reports a problem while you are away.

    1

    One week before

    Test systems, arrange trusted contacts, manage deliveries and repair anything that does not lock correctly.

    2

    Departure day

    Use a written lock-up routine and verify alarm, camera, network and backup power status.

    3

    While away

    Respond through an agreed plan—never ask a neighbour to enter a property that may contain an intruder.

    Seven days before leaving

    • Test every external door, accessible window, gate, garage and outbuilding lock.
    • Trigger each alarm zone and confirm alerts reach the intended phones or monitoring centre.
    • Check camera views, timestamps, night vision, storage capacity and cloud subscription.
    • Replace weak batteries and confirm cellular or battery backup where fitted.
    • Ask a trusted contact to collect mail, parcels and unexpected notices.
    • Arrange garden, snow, bin or other visible maintenance during longer trips.
    • Review the insurer’s vacancy, keyholding and notification conditions.

    Build a trusted-contact plan

    Give one suitable person: your travel contact details, alarm instructions, a safe way to access keys, insurer or monitoring details, and authority to arrange an emergency repair within a clear spending limit.

    Do not give them: public or address-labelled keys, your main account password, or instructions to confront anyone. Use a separate alarm, lock or app user where supported, then remove it after the trip.

    Make absence less obvious

    • Pause, redirect or arrange collection of deliveries and mail.
    • Use safe internal light timers with believable variation rather than leaving one lamp on continuously.
    • Keep curtains and blinds in a normal-looking position while avoiding clear views of valuables.
    • Ask a trusted person to move bins and deal with flyers or visible post.
    • Do not publish travel dates, live location or empty-home photographs publicly.
    • Delay holiday posts until after returning, and ask companions not to tag the household away from home.

    Departure-day lock-up

    • Lock doors and windows fully—including rooms used during last-minute packing.
    • Move keys, wallets, documents, tools and electronics away from view and letter openings.
    • Lock gates, sheds, garages, bicycles and vehicles; remove garage remotes from outside vehicles.
    • Set the alarm and check that every expected zone arms successfully.
    • Confirm cameras show live video and are recording, not merely connected.
    • Turn on planned timers and appropriate exterior lighting.
    • Photograph or record the final alarm and lock status for your own reference.

    Cameras and alarms while travelling

    Reduce noise

    Fine-tune activity zones before departure so routine traffic, plants and animals do not bury meaningful alerts.

    Protect accounts

    Use unique passwords and multi-factor authentication. Avoid viewing security systems on untrusted shared devices.

    Preserve evidence

    If an incident occurs, download original clips and note timestamps. Do not post footage publicly during an investigation.

    If an alert arrives

    Do not send a friend or neighbour into danger. If footage, audio or circumstances suggest a crime in progress or immediate risk, contact the emergency service responsible for the property’s location and explain that you are away. A monitoring provider should follow the response plan agreed in the contract.
    1. Check the alert type, device, timestamp and supporting cameras without repeatedly changing system settings.
    2. Contact the monitoring centre if it has not already contacted you.
    3. Use emergency services for immediate danger; use the appropriate non-emergency route for past incidents.
    4. Ask a trusted contact to attend only after police or the monitoring company confirms it is safe.
    5. Contact the insurer and arrange authorised emergency boarding, locks or weatherproofing.

    Common holiday-security mistakes

    • Installing unfamiliar equipment the night before departure without testing it.
    • Hiding a spare key in a predictable outdoor location.
    • Leaving ladders, bins or tools available as access aids.
    • Depending on one internet connection with no plan for an outage.
    • Giving several people the same alarm code, then never revoking it.
    • Assuming professional monitoring guarantees police or guard attendance.
    • Forgetting garages, side doors, balcony access or outbuildings.

    Prepare the property before the trip

    Audit weak routes, check camera and sensor positions, and understand exactly how a monitored provider handles an alarm.

    Use prevention checklistCheck equipment placementCompare monitoring options

    Country differences

    The preparation principles above are universal. Emergency numbers, non-emergency reporting, alarm permits, police-response policies, insurer vacancy limits and private-response availability vary by location. Use the country directory for local monitoring companies and confirm the exact response process before travelling.

  • Home Security by House Type: Detached, Semi-Detached and Terraced

    Universal property-planning guide

    Home security by house type

    Detached, semi-detached and terraced homes expose different routes to doors, windows, gardens, vehicles and outbuildings. Build around the property you actually have—not a generic equipment bundle.

    Most perimeter

    Detached

    Four exposed sides, multiple approach routes and greater separation from neighbours often mean more perimeter and outdoor coverage.

    Mixed exposure

    Semi-detached

    One shared wall reduces exposure, but side access and the route between front and rear deserve particular attention.

    Narrow approaches

    Terraced

    Front and rear routes dominate. Alleys, shared passages, extensions and adjoining gardens can create less obvious access.

    Quick comparison

    FeatureDetachedSemi-detachedTerraced
    Exposed wallsUsually all sidesUsually three sidesMainly front and rear; end terraces differ
    Side accessOften two routesCommonly one routeMay be shared, rear-only or absent
    Natural surveillanceMay be lower on larger plotsModerate, depending on neighbour and layoutOften stronger at front, variable at rear
    OutbuildingsMore frequent and dispersedCommon garden shed or garageUsually compact rear storage
    Camera planMultiple approaches and blind sidesFront, rear and side routeFront/rear plus alley or shared passage

    Detached-house priorities

    • Walk the full perimeter and identify approaches hidden from roads or neighbours.
    • Cover side doors, utility entrances, garages and French or patio doors—not only the front door.
    • Use lighting that reveals approaches without creating glare that ruins camera footage.
    • Secure gates early in the route so a person cannot reach the rear unseen.
    • Protect sheds and garages independently and record tools, bicycles and equipment.
    • Check cellular and battery backup if broadband or power failure would disable alerts.

    Semi-detached-house priorities

    • Treat the side passage as a controlled corridor: lock the gate, maintain lighting and remove climbing aids.
    • Cover rear extensions, conservatories and doors concealed from the street.
    • Coordinate sensitively with the adjoining neighbour where lighting or cameras could affect them.
    • Avoid camera angles that look directly into neighbouring doors, windows or gardens.
    • Secure shared or adjoining driveway boundaries without obstructing access.
    • Use front and rear detection first, then add side-route coverage if the layout justifies it.

    Terraced-house priorities

    • Strengthen the front and rear doors because the access routes are concentrated.
    • Check rear alleys, shared passages and gates for broken locks, poor lighting or habitual propping open.
    • Protect accessible rear windows and flat-roof or extension routes.
    • Keep bins, ladders and furniture away from walls and upper windows.
    • Use narrow privacy zones for cameras to avoid recording adjoining homes unnecessarily.
    • For end terraces, assess the exposed side wall and access route as you would for a semi-detached house.

    Doors and windows before electronics

    The same principle applies to every house type: a camera can record an entry and an alarm can announce it, but neither repairs a weak frame, failing latch or unlocked window. Inspect the complete opening—door or window, frame, lock, hinges, glazing and surrounding structure.

    Gardens, garages and sheds

    Boundary

    Preserve visibility at the front while making side and rear access difficult. Lock gates and maintain fences.

    Contents

    Anchor bicycles and valuable equipment, conceal items from view and keep an inventory with serial numbers.

    Tools

    Do not leave ladders or tools available to assist entry. Secure the outbuilding even when the garden itself is locked.

    Driveway and vehicle security

    • Keep vehicle keys and spares away from doors, windows and letter openings.
    • Remove garage remotes and valuables from vehicles parked outside.
    • Position cameras to capture the approach and identifying detail rather than a distant wide view.
    • Check gates, garage doors and pedestrian routes as part of the nightly routine.
    • Use vehicle-specific security appropriate to the theft risk; home CCTV alone is not vehicle protection.

    How many devices do you need?

    Count meaningful detection points, not rooms. Start with the external doors and accessible windows most likely to be used, then map movement routes an intruder would cross. A compact terrace may need fewer devices than a detached house, but an end terrace with a rear alley and extension can be more complex than its floor area suggests.

    Turn the house layout into a plan

    Use the property assessment to identify weak routes, then place cameras and sensors around those routes.

    Run risk assessmentOpen placement plannerGet equipment recommendations

    Country differences

    The physical planning principles are broadly universal. Door and window standards, surveillance rules, alarm permits, planning restrictions, insurance requirements and emergency response differ by location. Country-specific recommendations belong on separate country pages when those differences materially affect the answer.

  • 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.