In 2020, there were at least 500,000 HMO properties on the market. Houses of multiple occupations (HMOs) are homes rented by people from 3 or more households. For instance, you might see many HMO properties on a university campus to allow for ‘house shares’.
If you’re looking to secure your HMO property, keep reading.
This guide will discuss the latest tools, technologies, and tips to help secure your HMO property, improve the tenant experience, and increase property value.
Securing Windows And Entry Points
As a landlord, you should ensure all of your property’s entry points are secure. All doors and windows in your property should be secure and robust enough to prevent forced entry. Opting for double-glazed windows, strong window frames, and strong door materials will reduce the potential for a break-in.
Additionally, securing windows is crucial for a home office because it helps protect sensitive information and personal data from cyber threats, such as viruses, malware, and hackers, which can compromise the security and integrity of the system and put the user’s privacy and productivity at risk.
Implementing Access Control Intercom Systems
When securing a property, you should secure it without leaving it vulnerable to lockpicking. Traditional house key systems are insufficient to prevent lockpicking, so most landlords implement access control solutions.
With access control, the tenants receive keycards and fobs, or mobile credentials, that allow them to enter the building while eliminating the possibility of lockpicking quickly.
Landlords in recent years must be aware of the emergence of cloud-based security technologies that enable remote management. With this technology, landlords can provide a hands-on and attentive property management service with more convenience.
For instance, if tenants become locked out of the property, they could contact the landlord to allow them inside. With a cloud-based security system, the landlord can allow the tenant to enter the building without visiting the location in person – making the process quicker, more convenient, and safer for the tenant.
Opting for an intercom system will also allow tenants to buzz guests into the building or buzz one another into the property should they forget their keys. With a cloud-based system, all tenants can operate door locks remotely using their mobile devices to let guests inside while out of the house.
Landlords can implement mobile credentials instead of keycards and fobs with a cloud-based intercom system. With digital access credentials, you gain the following advantages:
- Convenient onboarding – there is no need for a critical handover with mobile access credentials. The tenant can simply download access credentials to their mobile device.
- No keycard and fob replacement fees – landlords do not need to replace keycards and fobs, and tenants can simply download them to a new device should they lose their previous device.
- Contactless entry – the tenant can enter the building quickly without withdrawing their mobile device, which could result in their device becoming stolen. They can wave their hand over the access control reader instead, which will trigger remote communication with their mobile device.
Mobile-first and cloud-based intercom systems are highly functional physical security methods and provide more convenient management for landlords when devising a security strategy.
Cloud-Based Security Cameras
Cloud-based security cameras are an essential consideration for the modern landlord. With an on-premise system, you may encounter specific difficulties regarding convenience, including:
- Server maintenance – you must devote time to maintaining servers for data storage.
- Wiring systems – you must install complex wiring systems, connecting camera devices to servers.
- Server storage – you must find somewhere to store your camera system servers, which could inconvenience tenants.
With cloud-based security cameras, you gain the following benefits that can help you to manage your surveillance system more easily:
- Over-the-air updates – your service provider can help you to manage your security with minimal effort by troubleshooting, updating, and maintaining your system with over-the-air updates. Arranging frequent service engineer visits is unnecessary which will be highly time-consuming.
- Wireless connectivity – your surveillance cameras will communicate using WiFi, Bluetooth, and cellular communication, and you won’t need to implement wiring systems, which will take time to install.
- Cloud data storage – you can store your data in the cloud and reduce the need for server storage. Storing your surveillance data in the cloud means you can access it anytime, anywhere, using your mobile device.
Implementing more manageable security solutions can reduce your workload when managing security in your HMO properties.
Alarm Systems
Landlords are required by law to provide alarm systems that alert tenants to fires and carbon monoxide on the property. Failing to comply with these regulations could result in legal issues and penalties if an emergency or disaster occurs.
In addition to providing these health and safety alarms, you should offer security alarms for your tenants. Broken glass and intrusion sensors will help your tenants to respond quickly to a break-in and alert the authorities. Loud alarms also help scare intruders away and prevent them from committing crimes.
Summary
Landlords of HMO properties must ensure that they provide stringent security to protect their tenants. The ultimate duty of a landlord is to provide a safe and secure property that meets their tenants’ basic needs. By implementing the tools listed above, you can ensure that extra security does not come at the expense of increased management duties.
Image source:
Photo by Fox
Photo by Atypeek Dgn