How to make sure property is safe when tenants are on holiday

Goadsby Lettings Manager Jacqui Sinnetta has provided 10 useful tips for Landlords who’s Tenants go away on holiday.  

There are a number of things tenants can do to make a property look as though someone is still in occupation. 

Ask your Tenants to carry out the following procedures:
1. Use timers for lighting.
2. Ensure post is collected by a friend or neighbour or pushed fully through letter boxes.  
3. Get a neighbour to pick up post and free newspapers, especially if you have a glass panel in your door
4. Remember to cancel newspaper deliveries
5. Ask a neighbour to put bins out on bin day, and of course bring then back in.
6. Try and leave a car on the drive
7. Ask a neighbour to water plants in pots so that they do not look abandoned.

Crime prevention advice also applies.

8. Ensure valuables are not on display.   Landlords in turn, should ensure all locks are working and that tenants have keys to window locks and know they should use them.
9. Landlords should consider installing security lights.
10. Tenants should be careful about what they post on social media about their holidays, there is a risk of being burgled as a result of giving too much information away.