12 ways to protect and secure your vacation rental

Start planting

Everyone loves landscaping that is gorgeous and green. But did you know plants also play a key role in security?
 

• Trim your trees and bushes to prevent falling limbs from damaging the house during a storm and limit hiding places for potential intruders.
  
  
• Steer clear of plants that could be toxic or prickly, especially if you offer a family- or pet-friendly accommodations.
  
  
• Incorporate outdoor lighting along walkways. It highlights the most beautiful parts of the yard as well as helps people safely find their way in the evenings.

Curb appeal still counts

Paying attention to the front entryway of your vacation rental is vital. It needs to look good – think about the attractive photos on Airbnb and VRBO – and be secure.
 

• Install a Schlage smart lock. Your guests get keyless convenience. Think about the easy check-in and no hassle of carrying or losing keys. You also enjoy major convenience by being able to create and manage multiple user codes for visitors, monitor access history and check that the deadbolt is locked from anywhere, even if your guests have left. Use our Get Help Deciding Tool to determine which Schlage smart lock is right for you.
  
  
• Replace your door with a solid wood or steel option that is more resistant to break-in attempts than some other, weaker materials. Also make sure the door frame is still strong and not warped or cracked, which can keep even the strongest deadbolt from being effective.
  
  
• Pair your strong door and smart lock with exterior cameras or video doorbells to easily monitor activity around your entryway. The Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt is compatible with the Ring Video Doorbell, allowing you to see who is at the door before granting guest access, all from your smartphone.
  
  
• Sliding patio doors, because they don’t have traditional deadbolts and usually aren’t visible from the street, tend to be easy targets for potential thieves. But you can secure them more effectively simply by installing a security bar or even just a wooden rod in the tracks. These small details go a long way toward putting guests at ease, says Evolve Vacation Rental. “If the back door doesn’t lock securely, they’re going to spend their vacation worrying about it – and that’s not the experience you want to provide them."
  
  
• Make sure all windows, even those not on the first floor have working locks.

Practical upkeep is key

There’s a lot to maintain outdoors, especially if you have the kind of rental property that encourages gathering on the patio or around a pool. There are lots of low-maintenance curb appeal hacks , but you still want to be diligent in your upkeep.
 

• Decks need to be ready for bare feet. Repair loose boards or nails. Bonus tip: If you’re installing or replacing a deck, check out these suggestions from Family Handyman for low-maintenance decking materials that don’t need regular staining and won’t splinter.
  
  
• Make sure any railings around the patio and stairs are secure, not just for helping people up and down the steps, but also to keep kids from taking a tumble over a ledge. You might also consider the spacing of railing posts so that kids don’t get their heads stuck while peeking through.
  
  
• Maintain walkways to avoid cracks and uneven footing that could cause a guest to stumble. A well-maintained walkway, driveway and pavers look beautiful and function even better.
  
  
• Don’t forget the fencing and cover for your pool and hot tub. Be sure to check your local regulations about pool fencing.

It might be tempting to skimp on security for a rental property if you aren’t living there. But not giving it its due can have negative consequences on your house-sharing business and your peace of mind. By investing in high-quality locks and making sure all exterior areas of the house are well-maintained, you’re taking an important step toward happy guests and healthy profits. Share your rental security tips with us on Facebook and Twitter.