Keep your property safe as you head out of town!

Finals are approaching and winter break is on everyone’s minds.  It might also be creeping into the minds of burglars and troublemakers.  It’s easy to forget about the simple steps to you can take to keep your house safe over the break! Rennection stopped into the Casa Bonita leasing office to get some advice on how to keep your property safe.  Tammy, a Casa Bonita property manager gave us some simple but useful tips! 

Coordinate Schedules

First and most importantly communicate with your roommates to discuss when everyone is heading out of town.  Consider marking your calendars for when each roommate is leaving and coming back to campus.   Determine who will be the last person to leave the property and make sure they understand that they must do a final check.  It will also help prevent the last person at the property from being stuck with all the cleaning.  (taking out the trash, cleaning dishes, emptying refrigerator, etc.)

Lock up Valuables

Second, lock up your valuables!   If your bedroom door has a lock, be sure that your door is locked before you leave.  Also keep any of your valuable personal items locked within your room such as iPads, laptops, jewelry, game consoles, etc. 

Close the Blinds

Next, close your blinds so preying eyes can’t see that nice TV mounted on your wall.  If possible, get a timer for a lamp so that it will periodically turn on and off.  It’s best to keep a timed lamp near the front door or in the living room.  This can help give the appearance someone is home.

House Sitter

If any of your roommates or friends are from the area, ask them to stop by over the break and check on your place.  If you have any newspaper subscriptions, place them on hold while you're gone or have a friend or neighbor pick them up.  A pile of old newspapers is a dead give-a-way that the residents of the property are not home.  

Renters Insurance

Finally, get renters insurance! If something unfortunate does happen you will be protected!  Renters insurance covers most theft and can give you peace of mind while you’re out of town.  Most plans are very affordable and we strongly encourage all renters to have insurance.  You can get a free renters insurance quote from local Allstate agent Edmund Marquez by clicking this link!

We thank Tammy and Casa Bonita for the helpful tips!  Be sure to check out Casa Bonita as you consider looking for next year’s rental! 

-The Rennection Team


*Images courtesy of google images.