Holiday homes need full-time security

If you recently bought a second home (perhaps with the intention of retiring there in the near future, or making a move away from the city and working remotely), you shouldn't wait to ensure that it has excellent security and that you have good insurance cover for the contents - even if it's located in gated complex or estate.

So says Berry Everitt, CEO of the Chas Everitt International property group, who notes: "Any pattern of occasional occupation - like only during school holidays, for example, or only on weekends and public holidays - will quickly be recognised and exploited by potential burglars.

"And unfortunately the probability of a break-in is even greater if the property is a freehold house in a 'holiday town' or resort area where many of the surrounding houses are also unoccupied for much of the time."

Writing in the Property Signposts newsletter https://www.chaseveritt.co.za/newsletter/, he also says holiday-home owners often also leave their properties filled with belongings such as ATVs, bicycles, canoes, surfboards, TVs, microwaves, fridges and even tools and garden equipment that are of course all attractive to would-be burglars, "so you need to have insurance cover for these goods as well as cover for the building in the event of fire, flood or other natural disaster".

For those with freehold holiday homes, a house sitter might seem like a good solution, but it can be hard to find reliable sitters to move in and out to suit your programme, Everitt says

"Another option with homes that have a cottage in the garden or a 'granny flat' is to let this to a permanent tenant, but even if the property is inhabited, your best bet is really to install an inexpensive external and internal electronic surveillance and alarm system linked to both your Smart phone and a local security company that can respond quickly to any attempted break-in.

"Modern systems are much less prone to false alarms caused by animals or the wind than previously, and if you do have a tenant or staff on the property, you will rest easier knowing that you have provided for their safety, as well as that of your property - and your own family when you are in residence."

Issued by Chas Everitt International

For more information

Call Berry Everitt on

082-441-3601

Or visit www.chaseveritt.co.za