How to do a security check on a home you'd like to purchase

Installing home security measures after you move into your new dream home can be an expensive exercise. By doing a thorough check of the home's security systems before signing the offer to purchase you will at least know what you are in for and, perhaps, be able to use the information to negotiate the purchase price.

Trellidor's home security check list

The state of the existing security will depend on its age and whether or not it has been looked after properly. Things to look out for include signs of wear and tear or weathering; old-style burglar guards screwed into rotting wooden frames; rusting screws in burglar guards; security gates that don't easily slide open and closed; unsecured external doors; welded units that have loosened over the years; windows without any form of protection.
Ask the seller to show you how the burglar alarm works, if there is one, and when it was last checked by the service provider. Enquire about a neighbourhood watch group and how active it is. Take a good look at the perimeter security, particularly hiding places for car hijackers. Find out if they have dismissed any domestic workers or gardeners and whether or not they had access to the home's security.
Keys are a huge problem when buyers move into a new home. Often the seller is unable to give you the full set of original keys and ex-employees may have left without returning their keys. This leaves you, as the new owner, vulnerable because you don't know who has access to the home. It may be necessary to change all the door and security gate locks, which can be expensive but definitely worth it for peace of mind.
If you have to install new barriers, ask your supplier for a randomly allocated key for the security door used most by employees and the family, so that only one key has to be replaced if lost or stolen. The rest of the sliding security units can be keyed alike and this key kept in a safe place.

If you're unsure about doing this security check yourself, ask your Trellidor franchisee or distributor to accompany you to your new home to assess the condition of the security and give you a report, including the cost of replacing units in poor condition.

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