Apartments in Phoenix give residents access to all types of different resources, and one of the most important things any home can offer is a sense of security. Apartment living means you’re sharing a building with lots of other people, and that can make some tenants uneasy. If you’re worried about the security of living in an apartment building, there are plenty of steps you can take to improve your situation. Some steps are best taken before you move in, while there are also things you can do to enhance the security of your existing apartment. Read on below to learn more about our favorite apartment safety tips.
Research Local Crime Rates
If apartment security is a top priority for you, you may want to do some research before you make the big move. You can check local crime rates, talk to people from the neighborhood, and drive by the apartment complex at night to see how things look. Use a variety of online crime mapping tools to get a good feel for how safe the area is in general. Once you’re convinced that this is a safe place to call your home, it’s time to assess the security of the building itself.
Check the Apartment’s Security Features
Most criminals like to target poorly lit buildings with accessible entryways. Check to see if your apartment building has secure entrances that require a key or passcode. This will help keep unwanted guests out. Consider driving by at night to see if the exterior of the building is well lit, especially around entrances. Good lighting will make potential criminals think twice before they try to do anything illegal on the premises.
Check to see if the doors and windows seem secure. Broken windows are a sign that something could be wrong, and flimsy doors might mean the landlord isn’t fully committed to safety. Look at the door of a specific unit to see if it has a peephole, and ask about having one installed if it isn’t there already. The ability to see who’s outside before you open the door goes a long way toward keeping you safe.
Get Renters Insurance
Even when you live in a secure apartment, renters insurance can go the extra mile to make sure you’re protected. In the unfortunate event that something happens, the value of your possessions will be covered. This protects you against natural disasters as well as theft, so you can rest assured that you’re covered no matter what happens.
Use a Safe
There are some things even renters insurance might not be able to replace entirely. Family heirlooms or items with deep sentimental value can be protected in a safe. Get one that’s secure, and would be too heavy for a thief to carry away easily. There are even fireproof and waterproof options that will keep all of your documents protected against pretty much anything.
Get a Unit on a Higher Floor
If a thief somehow manages to get into an apartment building, they’ll be trying to get in and out quickly. For that reason, your apartment is generally more secure when it’s higher in the building. Get off the first floor, and you’ll be further away from the street and anyone who might be trying to break into your apartment.
Add Security Features
Even if your apartment is already secure, there are normally a few things you can add to give yourself even better safety. For example, you can get some good blinds to prevent people from seeing inside– this adds to your privacy as well as security. If you have sliding doors that open to a balcony, you can add bar locks that don’t require much (or any) installation work.
You can even find good security systems for apartments– just look for options that don’t require installation. For example, you can take advantage of wireless cameras or other alarm components that plug into the wall easily. When it’s time to move out, you can simply take these security features with you to your next home.
Apartments for Rent in Phoenix
At Heers Management, we pride ourselves on offering some of the safest Phoenix apartments for rent. Our communities are safe and inviting, and we’re also happy to offer residents resources they can use to make themselves feel even more secure. Our units already offer many state-of-the-art amenities, and we’re pleased to share even more ways for our tenants to improve upon the existing security in their unit. Contact us today to learn about more of our favorite security tips, or schedule a walkthrough. A member of our staff will be happy to show you around and point out some of the security features throughout the property.