Renting out your home online through Airbnb is an excellent way to make some extra income, but the fact that you are renting to complete strangers may come with risk to your personal belongings and property. Plus, if you don’t live in or near the property, there may be days or weeks that it is unoccupied, increasing the chance of a burglary. By equipping your home with the appropriate security features, you can help reduce your risk and any sleepless nights worrying about your home.
Here are just a few of our recommendations regarding security devices that you should install before listing your home on Airbnb.
Access Controls
An excellent way to control access in and outside of your home is to install smart locks. These devices can be installed in entrance ways to control who enters your home, and on doors that you prefer to remain locked at all times. This can help to prevent renters from accessing certain rooms that are off limits and allows easy and safe storage of your valuable belongings. Smart locks can also be programmed with temporary codes so each new renter can be provided with their own code to ensure only they have access to your home.
Security Cameras
Security cameras are one of the best ways to deter burglars when your home is unoccupied. If you’re also concerned about suspicious activity from renters, a camera is the best way to monitor your home carefully. For optimized security, you should have a camera at every entrance to deter thieves and also to record the comings and goings of people in your home. Just remember to disclose to guests that you have a surveillance camera, and ensure that you do not place cameras in areas that disobey privacy laws.
Window Locks
Windows are another easy point of access into your home. By installing window locks and hooking up an alarm system to your windows, you can help prevent break-ins and theft. This will protect not only your belongings but also your Airbnb guests, providing peace of mind for all.
Fire and CO2 Preventative Devices
Not all regions require fire/carbon monoxide protection devices, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have them. Keeping your home and guests safe should be at the top of your priority list. Always have a smoke detector, fire extinguisher and carbon monoxide detector on your property.
Mobile Syncing to Devices
The brilliance of mobile syncing is that you can control your device from anywhere with just the touch of a button from your smartphone. This means that the smart locks you place on your home can be locked and unlocked or changed instantly. The surveillance system you have installed can also be monitored directly from your phone, so you can see when someone has entered and left your home. Not only does it provide real-time information but also alerts to keep you in the know.
Renting your home comes with some risk, but you can greatly decrease that risk by installing security and safety devices. To find out more, you can contact us at Bee Alarmed for more tips and tricks for optimal home security.