Holiday Home Security Tips from Professional Security Experts

Stop signalling absence

Absence is usually advertised rather than discovered: uncollected post, static lighting, unused bins, unmown lawns and holiday photographs posted in real time.

Manage each one deliberately — post redirection, varied lighting, grounds maintenance on an irregular schedule and delayed social posting.

• • Redirect post and suspend deliveries
• • Vary internal lighting rather than using fixed timers
• • Maintain grounds on an irregular schedule
• • Never post from the property in real time
• • Brief neighbours or estate management on expected activity

Key holding and response

Keys left with informal contacts are a recurring weakness. A professional key-holding arrangement means keys are held securely, response is logged, and nobody untrained attends an activation alone.

Alarm response should be to a defined procedure, including police liaison thresholds and post-attendance reporting.

Patrols and monitoring

Mobile patrols on an irregular schedule provide visible deterrence and early discovery of damage, leaks or attempted entry. Monitored CCTV with verified response converts alerts into action rather than recordings reviewed later.

For higher-value properties, combining irregular patrols with monitored perimeter detection gives the best return per pound.

Control the contractor list

Cleaners, gardeners, pool and maintenance contractors collectively hold the most accurate picture of occupancy at most second homes.

Maintain a verified contractor list, control key issue, require identification, and review the list annually.

Frequently asked questions