10 Security Tips To Use When Searching For An Apartment

Living in an apartment has its positives and negatives, just like any living situation. For some, it is the best way to go on a tight budget and a lot of people prefer living in close quarters with other people. They feel more secure, especially single women. However, living in an apartment has its risks. In a way, you are moving into a small community of individuals you know nothing about. So, assuming you have the time to go through several apartment complexes before you choose any specific one, check out some of the security measures of each.



1. If you were to apply for a certain apartment, would the landlord perform a background check on you? If so, ask if this is a regular practice for all of the applicants for their apartments. This is an easy way for the manager to find out if any applicant has a history of criminal activity, is a convicted sexual predator or anything else that would red flag him or her. Without checking into applicants' backgrounds, you won't have any idea what kind of people will be living all around you.



2. Ask the apartment manager if they change or re-key the locks after a tenant has moved out. This would prevent a past renter from gaining access to your "new" home, either to burglarize or assault you. It is too easy to have a duplicate key made and not return it to the landlord when they move out.



3. As you walk around the apartment complex, notice whether or not the windows on the ground floor are protected by bars that can only be opened from the inside of the apartment. This would keep anyone from gaining access to your first floor apartment through a window.



4. Ask the manager if each apartment has some kind of alarm system. If not, would they be willing to install one or allow you to put one in yourself?



5. Notice if there is good lighting in the hallways and around the apartment building. Outside lights may not be noticeable during daylight hours, so you may want to ask the landlord about this. Another thing to check out in the hallway is if there are mirrors installed in the ceiling to allow you to see around the corners as you get to them. This will prevent you being caught off guard by a potential predator waiting around a corner.



6. Ask the manager if the tenants are careful not to let strangers into the apartment building, if it is one with a locked front door. Is the importance of this rule stressed to the apartment residents? It may seem rude not to let someone in who seems pleasant and polite, but even the worst criminal can be polite and manipulative to gain entrance.



7. Is there a peephole in each entry door that is no higher than 58 inches? Is the inside of the peephole covered to keep anyone from looking in through it? The best peephole is one that has a wide angle of 160 degrees.



8. Ask the manager if a community watch program has been set up in the complex. This would help create a safer, more secure environment, with residents keeping an eye out for one another, taking turns walking the perimeter of the complex, calling in any crime or suspicious activities to the authorities.



9. Find out if you are allowed to keep a dog in the apartment. Dogs are the best way to keep an uninvited intruder from breaking in. If your lifestyle allows it, you might want to consider adopting a small dog for companionship and provide some protection as long as you can fit it into your schedule for training and exercise.



10. Check out the parking arrangement for the apartments. Are you going to have to park a long way from your apartment and is that area well lit? Does this apartment have a parking garage with someone always on duty? If there is only an unattended parking area, it would be to your benefit to own a small canister of pepper spray or even a stun gun and be prepared to use it when walking in any unlit,unsupervised area.



These are some of the important security measures to look for when searching for a safe apartment to move into. You may want to make a list and even add to it as you come up with other safety measures before checking out apartments for rent. Always keep your safety in mind when looking for that perfect place to call home.





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Karleen Lindsey is an advocate for women's safety and confidence building. She works toward the day when every woman should be safe out on the street and in her own home. To view her safe apartment living products, take a look at her apartment survival kit and sign up for a free report and newsletter containing tips and discounts.