How to Secure your Self-Catering Holiday Let

If you operate a self-catering holiday let, you’ll have visitors coming and going on a regular basis, which makes it vital to put effective security measures in place, especially if you are managing your property remotely. Read on to discover some of the best methods of holiday let security, as well as the important things you need to consider when implementing them in your property.

Many holiday lets can be considered a high security risk. Being inhabited by a variety of unknown occupiers, sometimes uninhabited and often located in remote or rural areas can make them prime targets for theft and other criminal acts.

As well as protecting your property and its contents, and of course your investment and source of income, you’ll also need to consider security to protect your guests. These days, most holidaymakers travel with all sorts of tech and gadgets, which they’ll want to see kept safe when they’re out and about.

Whilst some burglaries are opportunistic, skilled criminals in touristic areas will often scope out target properties in advance, learning any weak points and working out the best time to strike. So, the more anti-crime measures you have in place, the better chance you’ll have of keeping your property and your guests safe from criminals.

CCTV cameras

CCTV cameras can be used in a range of ways and can act as a deterrent to intruders, as well as recording vital footage and relaying real time images to help holiday let owners keep tabs on their properties remotely.

It is important to take care with the positioning of security cameras as part of your holiday let security measures, however. You will want to avoid creating a sense of your guests’ privacy being invaded, whilst still effectively monitoring the areas that are most at risk. Point them at entrances and exits, at your key safe if you have one, and towards any garage onsite.

You will need to disclose the use of CCTV cameras – as well as any audio recording devices – at your property in advance to your guests. If you do not, your guests could be entitled to cancel with a full refund. Your best course of action is to clearly mention the use of cameras on your website or any booking sites you use.

Never place cameras or audio recording devices in private areas, such as bedrooms and bathrooms. This is unlawful, as it constitutes a breach of privacy.

Do check with whoever you are listing your property with as to their specific rules around the use of CCTV cameras and recording devices. Some place an outright ban on them.

CCTV can be useful and beneficial to both holiday let owners and guests, so explaining those benefits to guests and demonstrating that cameras are only used where necessary can be a good line to take.

Finally, you’ll need to follow a few legal guidelines when installing CCTV. Our guide to CCTV installation will help you navigate your responsibilities.

Intruder alarms

Intruder alarms are one of the most effective holiday let security systems. They act as both a deterrent to burglars, as well as alerting emergency or alarm receiving centres to a breach.

If you are using an intruder alarm, be sure to leave instructions for your guests so that they are clear on how to activate and deactivate it, and what to do if an issue arises.

For holiday let owners who are managing their properties remotely, a smart alarm system will offer added value, allowing you to activate, deactivate and update alarm codes from your smart device, as well as alerting you as to any security breaches so that you can summon the emergency services from wherever you are.

Smart locks

If you want to avoid both the risk of guests losing keys, and the threat of lock picking, then a digital smart lock is the answer.

Smart locks are operated via a smartphone app; by using a remote control key fob, or by inputting a secure pin code on your smart lock’s digital keypad.

One of the major benefits of smart locks is that you can create temporary keys, which are perfect for holiday let security as you can change them every time you have new guests.

Key safes

A key safe is a simple holiday let security method that allows you to manage the handover of keys to incoming guests. They are accessed via a code, which can be changed between bookings.

There are various different types of key safes. The most common are combination style, and there are also push button combination key safes. More recently, digital key safes have been introduced which provide access via a smartphone app. 

Looking for help with holiday let security? Talk to Barry Bros Security.

Taking precautions to protect your holiday let from unwanted intruders is vital both for you and your guests. It is important, however, to consider that whilst you’ll want to make the property as secure as property, you will also need to think about the needs and comfort of your guests.

If you are seeking advice on holiday let security, Barry Bros Security is at your service. Our accredited experts have been providing property owners with tailored solutions for more than seven decades. For the advice you need to secure your holiday let investment, and your peace of mind, you are welcome to get in touch.