Sadly, neighbourhoods specialising in accommodation for students are often high crime areas. Burglars target student property, knowing they will find plenty of portable valuables – electrical goods, musical instruments, sports kit, and so on. Also, student parties may attract criminal elements.  At Househustler, we recommend you take all sensible steps to protect yourselves, your possessions, and your student homes.

• Before deciding to rent a property, research the area, and visit it at night to get a feel for the atmosphere
• Enquire about the external door locks. They should be 5-lever deadlocks all round. Additionally, ask for internal bolts if these are not already present
• A door chain is helpful to prevent unknown or unwanted visitors getting in. This is sensible in a night-life area, but is also comforting if you are studying alone at home, even in daytime
• Ask your landlord to fit key-operated window locks on all ground floor windows
• Look for good lighting around external doorways or stairwells. (This avoids fumbling for keys in the dark, reducing vulnerability.) If lighting is poor, ask for upgrading
• Take good care of your key. Do not tag it with your address. Do not leave it ‘safely’ hidden outside. Be very careful who you lend it to
• Security-mark all your personnel possessions, such as your laptop
• Do not leave valuables openly displayed near ground floor windows, or when strangers ( workmen, party guests) are visiting the house
• Make sure all your possessions are adequately insured, in case thieves do strike

Being security-minded will help keep you and your possessions safe in your student property.

Houses for students, occupied by several unrelated individuals, and sometimes officially classed as Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs), are statistically more likely to be involved in a fire than traditional, one-family homes. Landlords need to have a Fire Protection Scheme, to give tenants the best chances of escape and survival.

Fire Protection Schemes have basic elements:

Fire Risk Assessment
This may be undertaken by the landlord, the letting agent, or the local Fire Authority. It should be updated at least annually. Landlords may keep a Fire Safety Log Book, to record the inspections and measures taken.

Alarm system to detect and warn of fire
Smoke alarms should be placed throughout the property and regularly checked. Batteries should be kept well-charged, and not removed.

Well-lit escape route
This will vary with the type of property. HMO’s will probably require internal fire doors, and possibly an external fire escape. All student homes need clearly labeled fire exits. A written Fire Drill, prominently displayed, is important. All exit routes should be kept lit and clear at all times (no parked bicycles), and especially at night.

Fire fighting equipment
There should be a fire extinguisher and fire blanket in or near the kitchen. The fire blanket should be located near the entrance, reachable without going near any flames. Also, a carbon dioxide extinguisher should be placed near to the mains electric supply.

All occupants need to be fully instructed in use of this equipment, with regular refresher training. At House Hustler we recommend you insist on induction in the fire safety measures before you move in.