12 Effective Tips to Secure Your Apartment

Securing your apartment means more than locking your doors and windows—it's about creating a safe haven whether you own or rent. So, if you're nesting on the ground floor of a low rise, perched on the top floor of a high rise, or anything in between, here's how to secure an apartment. The following 12 tips will help protect your sanctuary and provide peace of mind.

1. Change Your Door Locks

Changing the locks ensures you control who can enter your home. This is especially important if you are still determining who might have keys to the existing locks—for instance, previous tenants, their friends, family, or even contractors who worked on the property. 

The best locks for apartment doors strike a balance between security and convenience. Deadbolt locks are considered one of the most secure options, especially with a one-inch throw bolt and reinforced strike plate. The cost to install locks like these ranges from $40 to $200 on average and varies based on your location and whether your home uses a smart lock or a regular lock.

Whatever you decide, consider locks with American National Standards Institute (ANSI) certification for quality and durability. Lastly, if you're a renter, remember to ask your building for permission if drilling new holes in the door is required.

2. Install a Peephole Camera

Most apartments have peepholes, which allow tenants to see who is on the other side of the door. Peephole cameras, a type of doorbell camera, take this security measure to the next level. As part of a smart home security system, peephole cameras allow you to see and communicate with people on the other side via an app so your front door remains shut and secure. They are also equipped with motion-activated recording.

Peephole cameras typically take minutes to DIY install, eliminating professional doorbell camera installation costs. Use the provided tool or a screwdriver to unscrew and remove the peephole from your door. Next, position the camera on the exterior side of the door and connect it to the rear section on the inside. After inserting the rechargeable battery, snap the cover onto the back section, and voila!

3. Consider a Home Security System

Home security systems offer significant benefits to apartment dwellers by providing extra protection, including fire and environmental monitoring.

These packages include various security devices, such as doorbell cameras, door and window sensors, and security cameras. Most hubs offer remote access via an app with video monitoring. The best part is that you will be alerted during a break-in or other emergency.

The next step is deciding on the home security system type that suits your home and budget. There's also the security system installation cost to consider. In contrast, there are plenty of DIY home security kits if you're handy and looking to save money. But keep in mind working with a professional security system installer near you will ensure a job is done right, including electrical code compliance. 

4. Fortify Entry Points

Ensure the locks on your windows work and can be opened easily in an emergency. An additional fortification to consider is a fire department-approved swinging gate that opens when unlocked. They are best suited for windows open to fire escapes and rooftops or at street level. They typically require professional installation and permission from building management to install in a rental.

Door and window motion detectors or sensors can add another layer of security to your entry points by sounding off an alarm or by triggering lights to scare off intruders before they ever set foot in your home.

To give your front door another layer of security, install a heavy-duty security bolt that slides open and closed. When properly installed by a locksmith or contractor, they make it extremely difficult for anyone to break down the front door. Check with local fire regulations to see if they are legal in your area before installing. 

5. Apply Window Film

Using tinted or security window film is an effective strategy to enhance the security and privacy of your apartment. These films provide multiple benefits, including energy savings, making them a worthwhile investment for apartment dwellers. Plus, most DIYers can tint windows at home like a pro.

Tinted window film reduces visibility from the outside, shielding your apartment's interior from prying eyes. It’s an excellent security method for lower-level apartments in densely populated areas.

On top of preventing prospective burglars from peering into your home, security window film reinforces glass, making it more resistant to breakage. It can deter potential thieves by delaying their attempts to gain entry, providing extra time for you to respond or for authorities to arrive. We recommend installing it on locked windows facing fire escapes, rooftops, or other vulnerable entry points.

6. Install a Sliding Door Lock

Garden or rooftop apartments with sliding glass doors are desirable features. But they can also keep you up all night worrying. Boost your door's current lock with a sliding door security bar. They work similarly to tension curtain rods. Just slip the bar in between the frame of the windows. 

Along with covering the glass with security window film, you can also install glass break sensors, which send an alarm when an intruder breaks through a glass window or sliding door.

7. Protect Outdoor Spaces With Security Cameras

Security cameras are another home security upgrade you can use to protect your apartment's outdoor space, including balconies, gardens, or rooftop decks. You don't need an entire home security system to install them.

Security cameras act as a deterrence, collect evidence, and offer remote monitoring. Wireless and wired security cameras have distinct features. However, wireless options are more affordable and easier to install because they do not connect to an electrical source. You can install them inside your apartment facing outward. Look for peel-and-stick options if you are not allowed to drill into walls.

8. Create a Building Group Chat

Befriending your neighbors in an apartment building is not just a friendly gesture, it's also a wise security move, especially in buildings that don't have a door person or a strong security presence. 

A great way to get this off the ground is to create a building group chat via text or an app like Signal. It will make it even easier for residents to stay connected and ensure the safety of your building. Post a sign in your building’s common spaces to build interest, spend the morning greeting neighborhoods in the lobby to introduce the idea, or work with your building’s management team to create a tenant list.

9. Trick Potential Intruders With Timed Lighting

Installing timed lighting in your apartment is a clever strategy to deter potential intruders. Timers are set to turn lights on and off at different times, creating the illusion that someone is home, even when you're away. This irregular lighting pattern disrupts any attempts to monitor your apartment for vacancy signs.

Most light timers are designed to be plugged into a wall outlet or integrated into a light switch and are compatible with various bulb types. You can even invest in smart light bulbs, which tap into your Wi-Fi connection and can be controlled or programmed using an app. Your local home improvement store will have plenty of options.

10. Silence Social Media

Keeping a low profile on social media while you're out of town is a simple yet effective way to safeguard your apartment from potential break-ins. Broadcasting your travel plans, vacation photos, or even check-ins at distant locations can inform would-be burglars that your apartment is unoccupied. 

Additionally, resist the temptation of sharing expensive new purchases on your social channels, including high-end jewelry, fancy cars, and pricey electronics. Broadcasting these things could make your home super attractive to thieves. 

11. Store Valuables Out of Site and in a Safe

Your wall of prized guitars, decadent artwork, or antique family heirlooms may give your apartment a personal touch, but to burglars, these valuables have their eyes making dollar signs. Even if you install window film, indoor lighting at night can make it so that someone can see what’s inside your home. To protect your most valuable possessions, store items in a room away from windows. Small valuables can be secured further by placing them in a safe. 

12. Get Renters’ Insurance

There are times when life is not in your control. That's where renters' insurance steps in. 

It can relieve the financial burden of theft or damage, even caused by other factors, including fires, floods, or natural disasters. Knowing that you have this financial protection can take the stress out of unexpected events, allowing you to focus on your well-being without worrying about the costs of replacement or repairs.

Speaking of insurance, if you’re saving up to become a homeowner, having all of these security system features could mean reduced home insurance premiums. Just how much a security system affects home insurance depends on your location, home value, security features, and history. However, you could see savings of up to 20% on your home insurance, or $1,500 annually.