Flat safety - on a holiday

tulipz

Hi all,
We are off on a two week holiday in May. I am wondering how to make sure my flat is safe. We live in a block of 7 flats. Secure entry via entry phone. My flat door has 3 locks. Our area is quite safe.

Am I being overtly paranoid? I have expensive things at home. Like Mac, a large camera etc.

I dont have a contents insurance (since I thought my flat was safe)...

I am also a bit concerned since my landlord has another set of keys...

Is there anything I should be doing to make my home absolutely safe ?

thegirlintheattic

Get contents insurance! What if there is a fire?

go_cat

Change the locks?

Move or hide your valuables ?

Get insurance as above

niceguyed

So you can afford to buy expensive items but have decided to risk not bothering with contents insurance which you'll likely get for less than £100.

You're saying you haven't bought contents since you think your flat is safe then you come on here obviously concerned?

Like the other other poster said, what if their is a fire, leak (so your stuff gets ruined, theft?

If you're really fussed give a family member/trusted friend a key and get them to check up on the place while you are away. Other than that BUY CONTENTS

propertyman

1: Don't give the taxi your exact address say its ABC court we'll be at the front door.

2: If post is visible, have the royal mail hold your post and deliver it the day before your return.

3: A radio near the door and or lamp on plug in timers can be a good deterant.

4: Leave Mac/valuables with family/friend?

A note to all landlords- all our properties have a safe in a discrete location. It's not expensive and offers a little reassurance.

phill99

Don't believe that an evidently educated person like your self makes a conscious decision not to have Contents Insurance. You buy expensive items and yet opt not to have a fall back position if they get stolen, lost in a fire or damaged in the home.

How bizarre are some people minds?

cattie

No contents insurance :eek: And you mention you have items of value, so this is just crazy!

Nobody ever thinks they are going to really need contents insurance, but imagine the devastation of people who suffer a fire, a flood, or a robbery with malicious damage etc. who decided to save a few pounds & not bother with insurance. :eek:

Kynthia

I can't believe someone wouldn't have contents insurance? It costs less than £10 per month! What if someone did force their way in? What if there was an electrical fire or a fire started in another flat? What if when putting a fire out the fire brigade caused water damage to your belongings? What if you had a burst pipe?

Don't put on facebook that you're away. Don't have expensive belongings on show. Have someone pop in halfway during your holiday to check on things, collect post so it's not piled up and change what curtains are open so that it looks like someones been there.

Eliza_2

Have you a friend or relative who might like to come and stay there while you're away? That's what I'd do. Or take your valuables to a friend's house for the duration.

And I don't have contents insurance either, never have done in my life, but don't have expensive cameras etc so maybe that would a wise idea too.

Itismehonest

I agree with the other posters when they say you should get Contents insurance. It would, at least give you some peace of mind.

I definitely wouldn't change the locks so the LL can't get in. If there was a problem like a leak you may regret making it harder than necessary to get in there.

If you have anything portable which you are particularly concerned about & you can't, as has been suggested, get a flat-sitter, is there a family member or good friend you could leave the stuff with while you're away?

Tell as few people as necessary that you will be away. I've known well-meaning friends chattering in pubs who have been overheard by opportunist thieves. Some poor soul then gets a phone call while they're away to tell them their house has been burgled

Eliza_2

Another thing someone has said to me is to ensure that your full address isn't on your suitcase labels as apparently it has been known for opportunist thieves to see them at the airport or baggage handlers pass the info to their mates.