Archive for category: Property Management Tips

A Fast Tenant or the Right Tenant?

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two people holding moving boxes

As the country begins to return to relative normality and living with COVID is now the preferred approach to its management, every segment of the economy, including the real estate industry, is now assessing the effect of the inevitable changes that have taken place. Government emergency measures to protect tenants from eviction have been revoked and this is just one trend that is affecting the property market.

Inflation and Rising Interest Rates Affecting the Market

Some others are the increased uptake of the option to work from home, movement by workers in the eastern states from the cities to regional centres and a shortage in all states of housing stock. An additional pressure, not only here but world-wide, is rising inflation as well as current moves by our Reserve Bank to increase interest rates from an historic low base.

The Law of Supply and Demand in Action

The effect of these economic trends on tenants looking for suitable rentals in the current market is very difficult, with vacancies the lowest in approximately 40 years. The REIWA defines a balanced rental market as a vacancy rate of 2.5 to 3.5 per cent, but the vacancy rate this time last year was 0.7 per cent with little improvement since. In economic terms, this is a classic example of the law of supply and demand at work.

Not Every Prospective Tenant is a Good One

In this unusual market, property owners looking for tenants have no shortage of applicants but finding the right tenant for their properly as quickly as possible is still not easy. Getting the wrong tenant can lead to expensive property damage, rental arrears that may impact the owner’s ability to service a mortgage and unexpected vacancies if the tenant suddenly leaves.

Fast Tracking a Tenant Not a Good Idea

Selecting a tenant is time consuming if done well. It is also a two-way street. To attract the best tenants, the property itself should be clean, tidy and well-maintained with good services. It does not have to be palatial, but it should appear looked after, so the tenants will look after it too. Reference checking is vital to eliminate prospective tenants who have a poor rental history.

The best way to find a tenant quickly is to appoint a property manager to handle all the details. Here at Bunbury Real Estate, we have experienced professional staff with the skills and tools to keep your property occupied with good quality tenants.

We have access to industry information, enabling accurate background checks on rental, credit and criminal history, visa status where appropriate, and other processes. We also manage all tenant communications and perform regular property inspections to ensure that your property is kept in good condition.

How To Decorate A Small Space Like A Magician

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Are you ready to move into your first apartment? Are you thrilled to finally have a place of your own and so excited about the prospect that you may have overlooked its lack of space? Now that reality has set in, you may be wondering how you are going to fit everything in, and what you can do to make your home look stylish and modern.

Magic Tricks and Fresh Paint

The good news is that there are tricks of light and sleights of hand you can use to achieve the result you want. A little imagination, a small budget and clever use of the right furniture pieces are all you need. Also, a coat of fresh paint can cover a multitude of décor mistakes and out-dated colour choices.

White is Right

Choosing white for the walls and ceilings will immediately make the space appear larger. Dark colours suck the light out of a small space, while white or a comparable light colour maximises natural light. It also contributes to the minimalist look, which is right on trend. If you are concerned that it might look too stark, use one or two accent colours to add interest.

A small apartment doesn’t have to look cramped, and we see evidence of clever design in small apartments every day. This market is proving popular with young buyers with limited funds and our salespeople at Bunbury Real Estate are taking enquiries for smaller living options every day. We see it as a growth trend into the immediate future.

Mirrors and Glass Trick the Eye

Clever placement of mirrors is another trick to create an illusion of depth. Try mirrored cabinet doors in the bathroom and if you must choose between a large mirror and an artwork for your walls, stick with the mirror. A glass table top where you dine draws the eye right to the floor, while a solid table top interrupts the space.

Multi-Purpose Furniture and Clever Extras

Too much furniture clutters a small apartment so choose pieces that are multi-purpose such as a chest that doubles as a coffee table, a bed with under-bed storage and a sofa that converts to a bed for overnight guests. A large furniture piece should be placed against a wall to maximise space and, if possible, some of the furniture should be the same colour as the walls. Even large items will then blend in, expanding the room.

Use wall shelving for extra storage, hooks on the back of a door for clutter items such as hats and a shoe rack to keep shoes tidy. The only limits are in your imagination.

Woo Potential Buyers With A Great First Impression

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As a property owner, the decision to put such a major asset on the market is never one taken lightly, and every owner wants to get the best possible price. A good first impression is critical to attracting potential buyers, so the property should be in the best possible condition before placing it on the market.

Keep it Tidy for Inspections

Some vendors find it difficult to accept that once they have listed their property with a real estate agency, in some respects it ceases to be a home. For owner-occupiers who are naturally, tidy this is not a problem, but for those who dislike regular housekeeping, bringing the property up to inspection standard and keeping it there while living in it will be a challenge.

However, we have a few suggestions that will help you bring out the best in your property. Our agents at Bunbury Real Estate have years of experience at assisting clients who are serious about selling but need an unbiased opinion about what constitutes good presentation.

A Good First Impression Will Draw Buyers Inside

We have already mentioned first impressions, and we cannot emphasise enough how important this is. If the outside of the property is dirty and untidy, with a yard that needs mowing, overgrown gardens, exterior walls and windows that need washing, most buyers will not get out of their vehicle.

Splash Some Paint Around and Save

Out-dated paint colours and old-fashioned décor is another area that can be improved without a large monetary outlay. We believe that a coat of paint is the cheapest way to give a property an instant facelift. Owners can do this on their own and save most of their presentation budget for big ticket items such as the kitchen and bathrooms.

Concentrate on Kitchens and Bathrooms

These are the most important rooms that buyers will scrutinise. New bench tops and splashbacks in the kitchen will improve the whole area without going to the expense of new cabinetry. Spraying the tiles in the bathroom and replacing the vanity unit and tapware will achieve a similar result at a fraction of the cost of new tiling.

Clean Floor Coverings and Sparkling Windows are Inviting

If the floor coverings are in good condition, carpets should be professionally cleaned, and the others steam cleaned and polished if necessary. Window dressings are the next critical area. Faded and shabby curtains should be replaced with modern blinds, leaving the decision about replacement curtains to the new owners.

Think About the Buyer

Our agents will make other suggestions depending on the individual property, but the overall goal is to present a property that new owners can move into immediately without major cleaning. If you can present your property in this manner and price it to meet the market, it should sell within a reasonable timeframe.

Do Some Suburbs Suit Sole Parents More Than Others?

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Being a sole parent is not easy, but thousands of people are in this situation and most of them are raising happy, healthy children. They are achieving this either alone, or with the help of family and ex-partners. Regardless of this assistance, the statistics consistently show that most of Australia’s single mums are doing more than fifty percent of the active parenting.

Parenting Responsibilities of Single Mums

Many single mums are making all the critical decisions alone, and often find this constant responsibility a strain. They must choose the schools, the health practitioners and the after-school activities. They are responsible for finances, to make sure there is enough good quality food available, and even which suburb and what type of housing they occupy.

Services and Facilities Need to be Close to Home

Finding the best suburbs is always a challenge but especially so for single mums. Generally, they need easy access to education and junior sporting facilities, child care, medical centres, public transport, shopping and for many of them, employment opportunities. Even with their own vehicle, fuel is expensive if they need to drive every day, so having everything within a 10-20klm radius of home is the goal.

Expensive vs Affordable

Recent studies show that nationally, the most desirable suburbs are often the most expensive to live in. Those with all the facilities needed by single mums are often closest to the CBDs of our capital cities. Properties furthest from the coastal areas or in regional and rural locations are the least expensive, but often do not have the same level of support services.

The Best of Both Worlds

Here at Bunbury we are fortunate to have the best of both worlds. Our city is located on the Indian Ocean, south of Perth and is the third-largest in the state. With a population currently at approximately 87,000 people it has the perfect mix of affordable housing, all the essential services and employment opportunities in a range of occupations.

Picking just one suburb out of many as the best one for single mums is not easy for us here at Bunbury Real Estate, as we can find something outstanding about all of them. We work hard to find the perfect property to suit the needs of every client, whether they are renting or buying, and we find that single mums have the same needs in a property as any other client with children.

Affordability is usually the first consideration and determines the size of the property and its features. This is followed by proximity to schools, public transport, services and employment. Our clients, including single mums, occupy properties in every suburb of Bunbury to our delight.

Fire in the Home and How to Keep Safe

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A fire can spread fast. It can put life in danger in two minutes. It can engulf a home in four minutes.

The loss of lives and home is devastating, emotionally and financially. Sadly, most cases of fires in homes are accidental and preventable.

You can take steps to protect your property from fire. One is to install a smoke alarm in your home. People lose their sense of smell when they are sleeping. A smoke alarm will be activated if it senses smoke from a fire.

The best unit to purchase is a photoelectric smoke alarm as it has been proven to be reliable in providing enough time for occupants to get out before their house is engulfed in fire.

Smoke alarm law

Effective 1 July 1997, all new residential buildings (or residential building extensions) within Western Australia are required to have mains powered smoke alarms. From 1 October 2009, all existing residential buildings must be installed with main powered smoke alarms before the transfer of ownership, rent or hire.

The new smoke alarm should bear the AS 3786:2014 marking to ensure it is up to the relevant standard. Smoke alarm with the AS 3786:1993 will be no longer be considered fit under the Building Code of Australia (BCA) effective 1 May 2017.

Penalties for non-compliance

Under the Building Act 2011 and the Building Regulations 2012, local governments can either issue an infringement notice or sue an owner who fails to have their property fitted with compliant smoke alarms before a sale, transfer of ownership, tenancy or hiring of said property.

Owners who fail to comply face a fine of $5,000.

Installation of smoke alarm systems

Install smoke alarms in all bedrooms, in the living room and hallway for optimal smoke detection. This is to ensure that all rooms where people sleep with closed doors are covered. Smoke alarms cannot detect smoke through closed doors.

At the minimum, have a smoke alarm installed in the hallway nearest the bedrooms. This should be accompanied with other types of alarms.

To prevent nuisance alarms, make sure not to install smoke alarms in incorrect places, such as kitchens, and in proximity of the doorways of bathrooms or laundry rooms. Other places in the house where smoke alarms shouldn’t be are very near a corner of a ceiling or wall; an air-conditioning vent; and the blades of a ceiling fan.

For houses with a second- or third-storey, smoke alarms should be fitted in the corridor between each level.

In houses with an attached garage, install a heat alarm with AS1670.1 marking, not a smoke alarm, to avoid nuisance alarms.

Smoke alarms should be interconnected to make sure than when one smoke detects a fire, all alarms in the entire houser will be activated.

Hire a licensed electrician to smoke alarms fitted in your home.

Smoke alarm requirements for dwelling types

The following residential structures are required under Australia’s Building Regulations 2012 to be fitted with compliant smoke alarms.

Class 1a: Includes a stand-alone house, or row houses, duplexes, town houses, terrace houses or villa houses where attached dwellings are detached by a fire resisting wall.

Class 1b: Includes (1) boarding houses, guest houses, hostels and similar properties where a maximum of 12 people would normally be occupants, and with a total floor area not exceeding 300 sq m; and (2) four or more single dwellings built on one allotment and leased as short-term holiday accommodations. Properties located in tourist parks, farmstays, holiday resorts, and cabins in caravan parks, are also included under this category.

Class 2: Includes apartments and flats in a building that has multiple units.

Class 4: Includes a caretaker’s residence and other residential units located in a non-residential building, if it is the sole place to live in in that property.

Landlord/tenant responsibility concerning fire safety

Landlord

It is the landlord’s responsibility to make sure the rental property is habitable and safe to live in.

  • Landlords must make sure to keep the smoke alarm(s) are in working order and are less than 10 years old. The unit should contain the date of replacement.
  • Smoke alarms must be tested during regular inspections, or at least every six months. In addition, check for dust and cobwebs, and clean around the unit using a soft brush.
  • Replace batteries every year, if the unit has a user-replaceable 9V battery. Follow the manufacturer’s guide when choosing batteries and testing the unit.
  • Maintenance must be undertaken at every inspection. A record of maintenance must be kept by the landlord or the property manager.

Tenant

Tenants also have a few maintenance responsibilities for the smoke alarm in their rental property.

  • Each month, test the alarm by pushing down the test button. Release it when you hear a loud alert sound.
  • Don’t damage the alarms or put anything like tape or paint that would hamper the airflow to the alarms.
  • Make sure the green visual display light is on. This indicates that the smoke alarm is attached to the mains power.

The law mandates the installation of smoke alarms in residential and commercial properties as it is the only device the can provide the critical advance warning needed to avoid the loss of lives and property.

Learn and adopt first safety habits to eliminate the chance of fire in your home. Lastly, create an Escape Plan to guide you and other household occupants on what to do in case of a fire.

Important Things to Know About Water Damage in Rental Properties

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We don’t see it but our home is filled with pipes that bring water in and out of our property. A constant flow of water is needed for taking a shower in the bathroom, flushing the toilet, cleaning clothes in the washing machine and other essential household tasks. But this amount of water inside the home raises the possibility of water damage when one of those pipes break.

Severe storms and cyclones can cause flooding. These natural disasters are not only a threat to life but also to property. Properties in low-lying areas are especially vulnerable to flooding. When flood water comes into the home, it could damage the furniture, appliances and even the basement and the foundation of a property.

When you know how water damage can happen, you can take precautionary steps to avoid a leak or flood. You’ll be aware when water accumulates in an area where it shouldn’t be and enable to address the problem immediately.

Causes of water damage

Leaking pipes: Backed up drains and toilets can cause severe pressure in the pipe, which can cause it to burst or leak. Roots from shrubs or trees in the yard that pierce sewer lines can also cause pipes to burst or leak. Watch out for aging or rusty pipes as these are more likely to leak.

Faulty plumbing: It is impossible to detect some plumbing issues within the walls. However, they are commonly caused by hoses and pipe joints not being completely connected. Check under your sink periodically to identify any plumbing issue quickly.

Crawl space, basement and attic issues: These areas in a home are more prone to water damage. It is where piping and electrical wires within your home are located. If any of these areas collect moisture, mould and rot can occur. Have your home checked periodically to ensure there are no drippings or moisture.

Damaged home appliances: It is common for the pipes of aging home appliances to starting rusting and cracking and their hoses starting to weaken. Washing machines, refrigerators and dishwashers will naturally deteriorate, so keep an eye on them.

Heating, ventilating and air conditioning units (HVACs): Water damage can also be blamed on HVAC. Air conditioners especially need regular servicing and maintenance to prevent moisture build-up. Mould can grow inside the unit when moisture cools and interact with mould spores in the ducts.

Typhoons and other natural disasters: We have no control over natural disaster. The only way to minimise the damage to our home is take all the necessary preventative measures.

The effect of water damage in your property

The effects of water damage can either be felt or seen within minutes or it can take a few days or weeks. Here are the health and safety hazards that water damage can cause to a property and to the people living in it.

Moulds and Health problems: When water build-up is left untreated, it can encourage mould growth because mould thrives in a damp environment. Moulds pose risk to your health. If you sense that your allergies are acting up more frequently, the first thing to check is mould presence.
Mould can also destroy the aesthetic of your home. Mould growths can leave black or green marks in the form of fungi. You will see them grow on the surface of your wall.

It will take a few weeks before the effects of moulds on the health become obvious. These health issues may include respiratory troubles such as allergies, asthma and bronchitis.

You can also tell if there is mould growth through smell. The quality of air starts to become poor once mould starts to grow.

Damage to furniture and appliances: Flood can damage your valuables including your furniture and electrical appliances within minutes. For wood furniture, exposure to water can weaken their structure and promote mould growth. Other types of furniture are also sensitive to water. They can swell or their colour starts fading. With electrical appliances, they can malfunction if they get soaked in water. Certain damages can still be fixed, but more often than not, you have to buy a replacement as the risk of electrical hazards is too high.

Structural damage: Water build-up can weaken the structural integrity of your home. If you have wooden floors, water can make it swell. These damages, if left unrepaired, can make living in the property dangerous. The walls also cannot avoid the destruction that water brings. Being soaked in water can cause discolouration on your walls. For example, white walls can show yellow marks from flood waters, especially if it took a long time for water to be removed.

Signs of water damage in your home

Some signs of water damage are easily spotted, while others will need a professional eye. Pay attention to the following signs if you suspect water damage:

  • Dark or wet marks on the walls or ceilings
  • Flakes or cracks on drywall
  • Drips or pools of water around the pipes, sinks, toilets, etc.
  • A damp or musty odour that appear all of a sudden
  • Water dripping sound even when taps are turned off
  • A sudden increase in water bills could be due to an unseen leak
  • A sudden feel of dampness or humidity inside the home

Tips to prevent water damage

“An ounce of prevention is better than cure.” This is very true for water damage. It is much cheaper to take preventative measures than make repairs. Here are ways to prevent water damage in your home:

Plant away from water lines: Invasive roots can damage pipes and water lines. Be careful where you plant and research the type of plants or trees you’re planning to plant.

Keep your roof gutters clean: Leaves, sticks and other stiffs can accumulate in the roof gutters if you don’t clean it regularly. A clogged gutter can send rain water spilling into your home’s foundation and down to your basement. That can seriously weaken your home’s structural integrity. So include your gutter in your list of seasonal cleaning. If it’s too high, hire a professional to do it.

Monitor your water bill: A sudden increase in your water bill can signal a leak. Since you can’t see the various pipes that intersect your home, it is a good idea to keep track of your water usage. If it suddenly increases with no reason, you may be looking at a possible leak somewhere.

Never use unclogging chemicals: Use a drain snake instead when unclogging your drain. These caustic chemicals may be an effective unclogging solution but they will eat away at your pipes and may be not be good for your health. A drain snake is inexpensive and similarly effective without giving you red and watery eyes.

Avoid pouring grease down your sink: Don’t do this whether you’re pouring the grease with hot or cold water. The grease will solidify and stick to the pipes and could block or destroy them. What you can do is pour the grease in an empty can and store in the fridge. Once it hardens, you can just throw it in the trash.

Who is responsible for water damage in a rental property?

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, the landlord’s responsibilities include keeping the property in a reasonable state of cleanliness and a reasonable state of repair.

Repairs are the landlord’s responsibility. However, if the renter or a guest of the renter caused the damage, the landlord can ask them to arrange or pay for repairs.

This is the general rule that must be followed when it comes to water damage.

The rules on water damage caused by flood and other natural disasters are more specific or clearer.

If the home has flood insurance, any damage must be reported by the landlord to the insurer. It makes sense to have flood insurance, in addition to the standard homeowner’s insurance, if your property is in a flood-prone area. This is necessary because most homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover most flood damage.

Any damage to the tenant’s property is not the responsibility of the landlord. It should be covered by renter’s insurance, which all tenants should have. Landlords must be forthcoming with the tenants if the property is located in a flood-prone area.

It is important for the tenant to check that the property is clean and in reasonable good condition before moving in, and complete the condition report. If the tenant is not satisfied, contact the landlord immediately to discuss. Make sure to get the landlord’s agreement for repairs or cleaning in writing.

What to do if you find water damage?

If you find a problem area, take steps to prevent further damage. You may need to soak up still water on the floor with towels, or shut off the water supply.

This is where your home insurance comes in handy. Contact your insurance company to report the problem. Then call professionals to do the clean-up. The evaluation from the water damage restoration company will help you determine your plan of action.

Timing Is Everything – Rent Now For Stability

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It appears that we have reached the bottom of the boom and bust cycle in Western Australia, and the news for 2019 is positive. Not only are house prices recovering but also there is a decline in the number of properties being offered for rent. This means the start of a recovery in the rental market also, and while rents overall may not increase for some months, the huge discounting that caused owners so much grief may be coming to an end.

Good News All Round

This is good news for both parties in the rental equation, that is, the owners and the tenants. Investors who have purchased properties to rent them out are now beginning to see some increases in their returns. Tenants, who were struggling to find suitable homes at affordable prices a few years ago, are now settling into better accommodation closer to facilities and within range of a reasonable budget.

Don’t Expect Miracles

This does not mean that rental values will leap quickly to their previous record levels. Experts predict that rental values will remain within a reasonable range for some time, and although demand for rentals is increasing, it is being balanced out by first-home buyers. They would normally be renting but can now purchase affordable new homes by using the attractive packages on offer by developers.

What does this mean for us at Bunbury Real Estate? As a seasoned and professional sales and property management agency, we have ridden the ups and downs of the property market. At all times we are looking after the best interests of our clients, whether they are sellers, buyers or renters, regardless of what market forces are at play.

Renters Should Lock in Lease Agreements Now

To our renters we are currently saying that now is an excellent time to lock in your lease agreements as rental values are expected to stabilise. There is no point in waiting for the rental market to fall further, as all the trends are indicating an upward trajectory. Now is the time to secure your ideal rental property on a long-term lease at an affordable price.

Owners Should Grab Quality Tenants Now

We advise our owners to secure these quality tenants now, so they have some certainty around the returns they can get for their rental properties. The discounting may be gone, but this does not mean an immediate bounce back in rental values. This will be a slow and steady climb, so having good tenants to fill their vacancies should be the focus for the time being.

The market is finally breathing a sigh of relief, and we can now look forward to sustainable prosperity without the wild swings and roundabouts we have recently experienced.

Landlord Preparations for the Summer Season in Western Australia

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Western Australia’s weather can be best described as blue sky days year round. The capital Perth enjoys an average of nine hours of sunshine daily. This almost perfect weather has shaped the lifestyle of the people living in this part of the country.

The lifestyle is relaxed. The coastline features beautiful beaches, ranging from tiny and private to big ones for the family. Most summers in Perth are around 30 degrees C.

But the flipside is it can get scorching hot. We’re talking 40 degrees C for the entire week.

If the heat becomes too unbearable, people head to the coastline to cool off at the beach, or take in a movie in a cinema. But the heat can become a problem for some people, especially at night when there is no air conditioning.

Temperatures in Western Australia can get pretty high and unpredictable. One day it’s warm and sunny and the next day and for the next few days it could be so hot it can melt the pavement.
Follow these tips to make sure you and your home survive the summer season in Western Australia.

1. Check your cooling appliances

Western Australians have found so many ways to beach the heat during the day, such as going to the beach or local swimming pool, public places with air-conditioning like shopping malls and cinemas, and public parks watering their grass with sprinklers.

Fans and air conditioners are overworked during summer. They are used to keep the home cool throughout the day. To make sure your cooling appliances don’t conked out on you in the middle of a heat wave, clean your fans and schedule maintenance for your air conditioning unit. Your units may be an older model, or it may have been worn out after years of use.

2. Check your summer appliances

Aside from fans and air conditioners, it is a good idea to check other appliances that are essential for summer.

The Aussie BBQ is a mainstay of any summer dinner party. Before summer arrives, deep clean your hot plates, check the gas and make sure all fittings are working in order.

If you have a pool and spa, you’re lucky to have these private spots to escape the summer heat. Make sure your pool and/or spa are ready for the summer heat by having them cleaned, checking the jets and ensuring the safety fence and gates are in proper condition.

3. Prepare your deck or patio

You will probably be spending many hours and nights in your outdoor space during the months of December through March. In this case, add your deck or patio to your spring cleaning list.

Here are a few of the things you can do to make your outdoor area summer ready:

  • Mow your lawn, prune the shrubs and trees, and get rid of all weeds.
  • Remove debris from the pavement by hosing it down
  • If your deck is finished with oil, clean and oil it to make sure the timber is protected
  • Check your window shades such as curtains or blinds, deck umbrella, and roof panels in your outdoor area

4. Start your summer decoration

Deliciously scented candles and heavy fleece linens are for winters. For summer, the most appropriate décor is a light one.

Take out your lighter, cotton sheets for the bedroom. For your living room, time to put those fluffy blankets back to storage and replace them with fluffy blankets.

Don’t forget your living room and kitchen. Place a few low-maintenance plants and succulents to create a summer atmosphere. Plants can make a room airy and purify the air.

5. Keep those flies and mosquitoes away

These pesky insects come out in full force especially early in the summer. Though the horde somewhat lessens when the middle of summer start, you still don’t want to keep swatting your hand across your face to ward them off.

Check the ‘fly screens’ on your doors and windows for any break or hole. You can open the doors and windows to allow the air in while keeping the flies and mosquitoes away.

Flies can be annoying but we have to accept that they are part of nature because of the important part they play in our ecosystem.

6. Dealing with snakes

During spring and summer, many replies come out where they are hiding to enjoy a little sun.

Venomous dugites and tiger snakes are common in Perth. Probability is high that you will see a reptile or two during the day and at night during warm weather.

You have to take extra care when walking in bushlands and grassy areas. Walk only in areas where you can see the ground.

Cut the long grass around your house and remove all items lying on the ground like discarded wood or corrugated iron, which can be used by snakes to hide.

If you find a snake in your garden or house, don’t kill it, don’t approach it or annoy it. Call Wildcare Helpline and ask to be referred to a reptile remover, or get online to find a local snake remover service.

Follow these tips to enjoy summer in Western Australia. It generally has a enviable weather but in case there is a heat wave suddenly, you and your home are prepared and will survive it just fine.

How To Keep Your Home Safe Against Christmas Burglars

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The Christmas and New Year holidays are special, not just because of the gift-giving, seemingly endless parties, and family get-togethers, but because it is also the time to take a much needed break from daily life. In short, it is the perfect time to take off somewhere for pleasure and relaxation.

But before talking off for that exciting holiday, there is the matter of the house you would leave behind for a few days or maybe weeks. While people are busy planning for their Christmas and New Year celebrations, burglars are also busy staking out the houses they could break into. There is cause to be wary as statistics show a spike in burglaries during this time of the year.

Your house is vulnerable to home invasion during the Christmas season and New Year because burglars know that homeowners are more likely on holiday. But there are measures to keep your home safe.

Weeks before your scheduled departure, conduct a security audit around your house to identify any weaknesses in your home security. Check whether the locks on the doors, windows and gate, as well as the exterior lighting, are in good working order. This is also the time to secure all valuables you have outdoors.

Here are a few more preventive measures you can implement to prevent your home from being broken in while you’re away on holiday.

1. Lock up

The first order of business is to make sure all entry points to your home are secured properly. Lock all entry points and fasten the locks properly.

In the rush of last minute organisation, locking up oftentimes become an afterthought. To ensure that you don’t accidentally leave your doors or windows ajar, lock everything up the night before you leave.

2. Lights up

An obvious sign that your house is unoccupied is when it’s dark even at night. Burglars take note of properties like this.

Investing in even just the basic security devices such as motion security lights and timed lights will go a long way towards protecting your home against home invasion. The motion detection lights will spot anything that moves around your property. Lights that turn on and off sporadically will fool people looking outside that someone is at home.

3. Make it appear that someone is home

Aside from the time lights which turn on at night, there are other things you can do to make your home look occupied:

Park your car in the driveway.
Don’t let newspapers, mail or flyers accumulate on your property by asking a neighbour to collect them for you.
Don’t send packages to your home when you’re not there. Uncollected packages on the doorsteps are a sign that the owners are not there to accept them.
Ask a friend to come to your house to open and close the blinds or curtains during the daytime.

A home that looks to be vacant or unoccupied will be more attractive for possible burglary. Thieves know the signs that the owner is not home. Eliminate those signs to keep the burglars’ eyes away from your property.

4. Take a social media break

People in the digital age are documenting their every move by posting statuses complete with photos to their social media accounts. The savvier burglars are not only spying on your house, they are also stalking you on social media. Remember this before you share on Facebook that you’re taking a two-week trip. You’re not only sharing this information to friends and family, you’re practically sharing it to the whole world.

The same goes with sharing photos of your house and your possessions. Burglars take note of what items are valuable to steal and when your home will be left unattended.

It’s difficult to go offline even when it’s just for a short time. If you can’t make yourself go silent online, at least take the time to adjust the privacy settings of your social media accounts to block people you don’t know from seeing your updates.

5. Start to get smart

Landlords, under the Residential Tenancies Act, are responsible for supplying the locks and making sure doors and windows are intact and very secure. But you may want to consider a few home security technologies for your investment property. Doing this will give the the peace of mind that comes from knowing your investment is safe and secure.

There are endless options, including a smart doorbell, which senses motion and gives a view of your front door from your smartphone; smart security lights, which deliver real-time push alerts to your phone if someone is skulking outside your home; and smart light bulbs, which you can turn on with a swipe of a finger or you can operate remotely.

6. Be wary of door to door salespeople and telemarketers

You can’t really be sure that these people are legit. It is possible that they are checking out your home and looking at items that are worth stealing. Their simple question of: “When would be a convenient time for you to talk?” could be their way of trying to find out when you’d be out of the house. Be cautious and don’t be free in giving away personal information.

Christmas and the New Year holidays are busy and festive times. Sadly, thieves are hard at work trying to spoil the fun by burglarising homes. You can outsmart these bad elements by being proactive and being practical about your home security by following the tips provided above.