Securing Home from Break-In

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crazyjennyblack

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Just moved into a rented house a couple of weeks ago. Going to be there for about a year and a half. It's not a bad neighborhood. Lots of old people, and the sheriff's department is literally just across the street.

However, where I live the sheriff has control of the county jail, and there have been escapes in the past couple of years. It's also a college town, and just outside a larger city (about a 20 minute drive). I'm worried about break-ins and burglaries, but I'm not sure what I can do.

I live with a roommate, we're both about 20. We both own guns. There are two doors in the house. Both have cheap storm doors. The back storm door can't be opened from the outside, but the interior door has only one lock, and it doesn't work. As an alarm, I have a concrete brick with two glasses on top stuck by the back door.

The front door also has a storm door which doesn't lock, and the interior door has a lock in the knob and a chain attached to the jamb. And all windows in the house start at about chest height, and the frames look rotten.

I'm really worried about it, but not sure where to start. Also, the landlord won't allow any permanent modifications, and has told me that I can replace the lock in the back door, but at my own cost! I'm not sure it's worth it, since a swift kick can defeat those kinds of locks anyway, and the storm door in the back seems to provide security by the simple fact that it's very noisy and difficult to get open, and since it opens outward and locks automatically it's nearly impossible to work, even on the inside.

No, a dog isn't an option, since pets aren't allowed. So, any quick (and cheap) solutions for security. I hope I've provided enough info.
 
has told me that I can replace the lock in the back door, but at my own cost!
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Landlord sounds like a pain...

I would start by getting a lock for the back door, and a door prop (not sure if that is the correct term, but it hooks onto the door knob and slopes to the floor. I wouldn't worry about the windows other than making sure that they lock.
 
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The landlord can be kind of a problem when it comes to maintaining things. He just doesn't want to do any work. However, he has been very kind to us and has helped us move in, as well as brought items for us to use from other properties he owns. Six of one, half a dozen of the other.

Yes, the windows do lock, and there are storm windows too. However, there is no AC, so in the summer we'll have to have window units. Any security ideas there?

So, checklist so far is new door lock and door prop?
 
Replace the lock on the back door, get the door braces

When you get window unit put a nail in the window so it can't be opened enough to get the window unit out
 
Oh, yeah, and the landlord can't find the key to the existing lock on the back door....
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So the landlord doesn't know who has these keys? That's not very safe.

Inform the landlord that you would like to have a locksmith come over to re-key the front & back doors to the same key. Ask your landlord to pay for this cost. Don't accept "no" as an answer.

Look thru your rental agreement, unless you agreed to rent the house in an "as-in" condition, there should be a section stating that everything in the property should be in "working condition".

No key = not working.
 
The landlord should pay to replace the lock, but failing that ponying up for a lock on your own shouldn't be that big of a deal. It's your lock so you get to take it with you when you leave and can use it for your next home.

I'd also recommend the door braces. As for the AC unit, we always had a thick wooden dowel that we cut to fit from the top of the bottom portion of the window to the top of the window frame. It's inexpensive and sturdy. The same "technology" could be used for any sliding glass door.
 
Check the law...

I know that in Texas the landlord is required by law to change the locks after a tenat moves out and a new one moves in.

Also, it isn't hard or expensive to have a locksmith come and RE-KEY the door so that the old keys will not work (I paid $120 for 2 doors re-keyed and 5 copies of the key). It is a cheap / effective interim solution. Virtually just as effective as changing the lock and a lot cheaper. Right now, I imagine that you need the cheap solutions.

There are some other little things you can do, like install a door latch. I did and used 3.5" screws right into the stud. Yeah, you can kick it off, but it would take some power and then the door would fall funny.

http://www.amazon.com/Belwith-Produ...f=pd_bbs_7?ie=UTF8&s=hi&qid=1241387597&sr=8-7

I know that Ace and home depot (Walgreens too I think) have them cheaper than the one linked...
 
They make several brands of portable door locks
http://www.defensedevices.com/dolopo.html
Useful for church shut-ins, seedy hotels, or as a temporary fix for a broken lock.

Most jurisdictions require working locks in doors, and require that renters receive the keys they need, under the emergency clauses. An inaccessible door is a fire hazard. An unlockable door is a safety hazard. I realize that if you just moved in you might not feel comfortable exerting your legal rights. If you do replace the lock yourself, I'd recommend taking it with you when you leave, and not ever sharing the key with the landlord.
 
This is a great way to secure doors from the inside:
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That is exactly what I was talking about, it isn't fancy but it will work. Also I agree with everyone about the locks, I don't know of a place that doesn't require them for new tenants.
However, there is no AC, so in the summer we'll have to have window units. Any security ideas there?
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As far as the AC goes secure it well and it will make it very difficult to remove. The best way is to take the front cover off of the inside of the AC (after being installed in the window and braced outside) and put a 4-6 long wood screws (3-4in. with washers) through the sheet metal of the unit and into the window jambs. When you leave just fill in the holes with wood putty and put a dab of paint on it.
 
I found a cheap way to secure a door from break in:

Two "O" hooks with 3/4 heads.
3' black iron Pipe.

Screw the hooks in to the door frame, put the pipe through the hooks. When you're ready to move, put some wood filler in the holes, and repaint.
 
That is a great way to secure any door (just be sure to use lag eyes, not small screws). Similar to a good-old 2x4 "barricade brace".
 
Secured AC units...

I use a couple pieces of 1/2 to 1" wooden dowel cut to wedge between the top of the partially raised window and the frame above it to prevent theft of the AC unit or removal for entry. Won't stop breakage of windows but will prevent easy theft of the AC unit or easy entry into the house.
Hope that helps.
Brian
 
Put a new knob/lock on the back door, and ordered two door braces online (each has a vibration alarm, too).

When we install the window units, I'll put a length of 2x4 in each window, as suggested.

Any other ideas?
 
"Talk the landlord into letting you have a dog"

I really don't like dogs. That, and they cost money to feed. Grew up with dogs, really don't want one in the house. Not even a 5 pound bark machine.
 
I really don't like dogs.
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Well...in that case constantina wire works equally well...:D

P.S.: I think you will do well with what you have planned. Best regards, Mav.
 
Holes drilled through the bottom sash woodframe and into the top sash for a stout nail to be inserted from the inside make for an effective and cheap lock-system for double-hung windows. If you don't want them removable from the outside by someone reaching through a broken pane, clip the heads off with a boltcutter at a level that leaves them unprotruding inside, and use a handy magnet to be able to pull them out from the inside when needed. When you move out, mask the residual holes with toothpaste and let dry, colorize if necessary with a felt-tip marker.

Les
 
Landlord is penny-wise and pound-foolish. If your home were burgled/invaded I bet you could sue him for failing to provide adequate security.
 
Door Braces

As a youngster I lived in NYC (until about age ten). We, and most of our neighbors, had those door braces on the front and back doors, but the ones I remember had an air horn built into them. also, they screwed onto the door rather than propping up beneath the knob. You could flip it up and out of the way when needed, or brace it against the floor when you wanted to secure the place. I imagine you could modify one to fit in a window that housed an AC unit. They hold the door closed against intruders, and if anyone pushes on it they make an ear splitting racket. ( they were basically just like the emergency air horns you may have seen, ie. LOUD:eek:) You be sure to wake up, believe me.

-J
 
I've been on both sides of the landlord fence. There are reasons for everything. I moved into a rent house a couple of years ago and asked the landlord if the locks had been changed. She said, "No". I asked her if we could change the locks at our expense and give her a key. She said, "no". I then asked her if I could have a copy of the background checks of all tenants since the last time the locks were changed. She said we can change the locks.

If you want add deadbolts, ask the landlord if you can hire a professional locksmith to add dead bolts and rekey all the locks at your expense. Even though you may be skilled enough to install deadbolts yourself, the landlord wants to make sure that someone doesn't do a crappy job that he will have to repair when you move out.

You should also remove the 1 inch screws in the door jams and hinges and replace them with 3 inch screws that go all the way into the wall studs.
 
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