Recap:

Crime Reports – Getting a crime reports alerts of you the types of crimes being committed in your area so that you can proceed with caution and be alert. Based on the crime in the area, this could be a deal breaker to some people but not to others. At least with a crime report you will have the option of determining if you want to move in or not. Your local police station will usually provide you with a crime report for your neighborhood.
Maintenance Issues – If you look around the property, not just your unit, and discover that the general upkeep is lacking, you should really consider whether or not this will be a safe environment for you. In our experience, when the property isn’t well maintained, the management office is lacking in other areas. Unfortunately, they may drop the ball when it comes to your safety and security. However, this wouldn’t come as a surprise to you if you notice that they are also lacking in other areas, such as, general property maintenance.

When checking out the property, take notice of trash in the parking area, fallen drywall, leaks, broken window or trash bins that are overflowing. If you see more than one of these things, you should proceed with caution.

Change Locks– Yes, you are absolutely correct in thinking that this is the responsibility of the maintenance department to change the locks on every apartment before someone moves in. While this is expected, it isn’t always done. What sometimes occurs is that maintenance will transfer locks from one door to another, not investing in brand new locks. This can pose a threat to tenants safety and security because someone out there still has a key to that lock. If you want to be sure that they actually replaced the existing lock with a brand new lock, you might just take it upon yourself to buy the lock and give it to them to install.
Check for the Peephole – When we advise people on how to remain safe in an apartment, we always mention something that they should look for that many tell me they never consider, the peephole. While most apartments have them, there are some that do not. If you want to be sure that you’re going to be able to identify the person coming to your door unannounced, you’ll need a peephole. If you have taken notice of the fact that there is no peephole in the apartment you are considering, ask if they can install one for you.

If you have taken the aforementioned precautions before deciding to move into a particular apartment, you’ll also have to consider what to do after you have moved in. We can help you with this also. We would advise you to secure your patio door, install window coverings and make sure your door as a deadbolt locks on it.

Secure Your Patio – If you have a balcony or patio, it likely has a sliding door. The best way to secure this type of door is to install a bar lock or put a bar across the tracks of the door to impede any access from outside. This is the door that is often overlooked by most people and this is why we find it important to include it in the list of things to do after moving into an apartment.
Put Up Blinds or Curtains – If there isn’t already something over your windows; put something over them. When you do not have anything over your windows, you are allowing others to see what is inside your apartment. If a burglar happens to see something that is of value to them, they might just make your apartment their target. Keep it covered up at night so that others are not aware of what you have inside your home and avoid becoming the target of a potential intruder.
Get a Deadbolt Lock – Some apartments have deadbolt locks on them already but if there is no deadbolt lock on your door, invest in one. This is the most durable type of lock that a person can buy. It is made from solid core materials, which means its hard to break through. Again, you can ask that the someone from maintenance install your deadbolt lock for you. Most of them will not have a problem doing this, as this is a request they receive often. If they are reluctant to install it for you, you can always rely on Locksmith Hampton to install it for you.

Don’t take unnecessary chances with your safety even if you’re living in an apartment. Take matters into your own hands to ensure your safety and security.