Tips to secure an empty property 

Leaving a property vacant, whether it’s your main residence while you're away, a second home, or an investment property, can be nerve-wracking. Empty homes are vulnerable to burglary, vandalism, and even squatting. That's why understanding how to secure an empty property is crucial.

We’re going to talk about the best ways to protect vacant properties, offering practical advice for anyone looking to reduce risks and gain peace of mind while away. Whether you're gone for days or months, these strategies (combined with our advanced smart security solutions) can help you stay in control, even from a distance.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the best practices for mounting security cameras, by giving you optimal height, angle, and positioning tips to eliminate blind spots, maximise coverage, and help your Arlo system deliver effective and reliable security.

Empty homes can attract unwanted attention. Without regular activity, it becomes easy for opportunistic intruders to identify your property as unoccupied. And the longer a property remains vacant, the greater the chance of issues like theft, vandalism, and even maintenance issues like water leaks going unnoticed.

That’s where a smart approach to empty property security can make a world of difference.

A modern security camera is your first line of defence. They can act as a visual deterrent and offer ways to physically halt intruders as well as capturing evidence. With our wireless cameras, you can:

• Monitor your property remotely through the Arlo app, so you can see exactly what’s going on.

• Receive real-time alerts for motion or sound detection, so you know if something serious is happening.

• Deter intruders with built-in sirens and spotlights. Even if the sight of the camera isn’t enough to keep burglars or vandals off, being lit up and subjected to a loud siren can often cause them to withdraw.

• Use cloud video storage (with Arlo Secure) for 24/7 access to footage. This means your evidence is fully secure and safe from tampering.

Arlo cameras are ideal for vacant property protection, thanks to features like two-way audio, customisable activity zones, and even colour night vision.

Tip: Cast your net wide for maximum impact. Place cameras at all key access points: front and back doors, garages, and any ground-floor windows.

Security cameras are even more effective when paired with additional motion sensors. These small devices detect movement and can trigger lights, cameras, or alarms, making it harder for intruders to remain undetected.

Areas to consider include:

• Front door – A surprisingly large number of burglaries happen through the front door. And it’s also where most of your deliveries will happen when you’re out. So this is a key area to cover.

• Back door/garden gate – Often overlooked, but a common entry point for thieves. This is especially important if the rear of your property opens out into a quiet lane with little footfall.

• Garage/driveway – For monitoring vehicles and tools. Cars, power tools, garden equipment and so on are all targets for theft.

• Ground-floor windows – These are common entry points for burglars, especially those out of sight from the street. And they can often be left open or unlocked by mistake, especially if you’re only going out briefly.

• Side alleys or blind spots – These are places where intruders can hide and attempt to move about your property undetected.

A dark property can scream "no one's home." To create the illusion that someone’s home:

• Install smart lighting that turns on via motion or schedules. This gives the impression that someone is moving around the property. You can even trigger smart TVs to switch on in the evening.

• Use timer switches on indoor lamps to mimic occupancy. Smart plugs can also help you here, turning any lamp into a smart lamp and allowing automation and control via an app.

• Place floodlight cameras outside to deter intruders. These cameras have additional, powerful floodlights that illuminate huge areas of your property.

This leads to crystal clear footage and can attract the attention of neighbours.

Smart home platforms, including Arlo’s integrations with Alexa and Google Assistant, allow you to automate lighting for extra convenience and security.

Obvious but essential: check and reinforce all entry points:

• Use high-quality deadbolts on doors.

• Fit window locks on all windows, even those above ground level.

• Consider adding window sensors or glass break detectors.

A layered approach ensures even if one barrier fails, another is in place to detect or deter the threat.

A seriously overgrown lawn or pile of mail is an invitation to burglars. So, an important, but often neglected, part of empty property security is regular maintenance, including:

• Arrange for gardening throughout the year and snow removal in the winter.

• If you have driveway or parking space at the front of the property have a neighbour park there occasionally or consider renting out the spot to somebody.

• Redirect mail or use a hold service from your postal provider while the property is empty.

• Set up scheduled visits, if possible, either by yourself or a friend. Even irregular checks help.

• If you are on good terms with your neighbours, you can ask them to keep an eye out for any unusual activity while the property is empty.

Most home insurance policies have conditions about unoccupied properties, typically if they are left vacant for more than 30 consecutive days. It’s essential to:

• Notify your insurer of the property's status.

• Understand any exclusions that apply during vacancy.

• Check whether additional cover is needed.

Failing to inform your provider could invalidate your policy, so always speak to them directly.

For longer-term vacancies or high-value properties, additional security may be worth the investment. A security company could offer:

• Vacant property inspections to ensure there have been no break-ins.

• Manned patrols or rapid response to issues.

• Install temporary monitored alarm systems, where a control centre responds to alerts.

Some services specialise in vacant property protection, including the use of temporary fencing, warning signage, and remote CCTV monitoring.

We do have specific indoor cameras, but our outdoor cameras can also be used indoors. However indoor and outdoor placement comes with some unique considerations:

Knowing how to secure an empty property is about more than locks and lights, it’s about creating the impression of occupancy, leveraging smart technology, and preparing for the unexpected.

Whether you’re protecting a family home during a long holiday or safeguarding a second property, Arlo gives you the tools to feel confident, wherever you are.

Looking to upgrade your security on a vacant property? Explore Arlo’s range of smart cameras here.