Whether you’ve got a cosy cottage in Cornwall, a modern city-centre flat in London, or a beachside getaway in Brighton, owning a holiday rental or serviced apartment comes with unique security challenges that may differ slightly from your regular tenancy rentals. From ensuring your property is safe when vacant to providing peace of mind for guests during their stay, it’s essential to put the right systems in place.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the most effective ways to secure your Airbnb or holiday let, both when it’s unoccupied and whilst guests are enjoying their stay, with a particular focus on UK regulations and the latest smart security technology that you can implement to your property.
Why Security Matters for Holiday Rentals
Unlike your main residence or home, holiday homes are often vacant for extended periods, or occupied by guests you’ve never met. This makes them more vulnerable to break-ins, squatters, vandalism, and even misuse by guests.
A good security system protects your investment, reassures your guests, and in many cases, can even reduce your insurance costs.
Securing Your Property When It's Unoccupied
1. Outdoor CCTV Cameras
External CCTV is one of the most effective deterrents for potential intruders. Position cameras to cover entry points such as doors, driveways, and side access. For landlords and hosts in the UK, it’s perfectly legal to use outdoor CCTV but just make sure:
Your Cameras don’t intrude on neighbours’ private spaces.
You inform guests that CCTV is in place via your listing or welcome pack.
We would recommend choosing a smart CCTV system that lets you view footage remotely via an app. If in doubt, reach out to a professional security system company to discover the best option for what you need.
2. Smart Doorbells
Smart video doorbells can be a good and cheaper alternative as they alert you in real-time when someone approaches your property. These are ideal for monitoring deliveries, guests arriving, or suspicious behaviour even if you’re hundreds of miles away.
They’re particularly useful for checking that guests arrive when they say they will and haven’t brought unexpected extra people. If using smart doorbells, we would recommend combining them with a more robust, professional alarm system to ensure full security as video doorbells alone generally are not enough by themselves.
3. Smart Locks & Key Safes
Gone are the days of leaving keys under the flowerpot or even in a key safe.
A smart lock allows you to generate individual codes for each guest and revoke access once they check out, this will eliminate the need for physical key exchanges. We recommend you look for models with:
App-based control
Auto-locking features
Audit trails (see who’s come and gone)
4. Lighting & Motion Sensors
Light and motion sensors can make it look like someone’s home, or that the property is occupied, even when it’s empty. Use smart plugs and timers to switch on lamps in the evenings. Outside, install motion-activated lights around entry points to deter trespassers. This could be a particularly good idea between guest switch ups!
5. Alarm Systems
A professionally installed and well-monitored intruder alarm can alert you and local authorities instantly in the event of a break-in. Look for systems with remote arming/disarming and notifications via app. Wireless systems such as Pyronix Enforcer are easily installed by a professional and ideal for holiday lets.
Safety & Security While Guests Are Staying
Guests should feel safe during their stay but it’s important that they don’t feel watched. In the UK, it's illegal (and a breach of Airbnb policy) to have internal surveillance, including CCTV or audio recording devices, in any area guests can access, even if you disclose them.
Here’s how to keep guests secure without compromising their privacy:
1. External-Only Cameras
Continue monitoring entrances and driveways externally, but make sure cameras do not point into the house, hot tub, or garden areas intended for guest use.
2. Smart Locks or Guest Codes
Offer guests seamless check-in via unique digital codes. Not only does this improve the experience, but it’s also safer than handing over physical keys, which can be lost, copied, or stolen.
3. Guest Safety Measures Inside
Security isn’t just about stopping burglars - it’s also about guest peace of mind. Make sure you provide:
Secure door and window locks
A functioning smoke/carbon monoxide alarm
Clear emergency contact numbers
A first aid kit and fire extinguisher
It’s a good idea to include a short safety guide in your welcome pack and listing, noting the location of exits, alarms, and how to operate security systems if needed.
Whilst you cannot record anything inside the house you can install indoor noise monitors such as Minut Sensors which record the level of sound. This means you will be alerted when the volume exceeds a certain threshold, allowing you to take appropriate action if needed.
Final Tips for a Secure, Stress-Free Holiday Let
Regular maintenance: Check cameras, locks, and alarms between guests to ensure they’re working properly. More importantly, keep up to date with any security upgrades and standard that should be met.
Insurance check: Make sure your property is covered for short-term letting, and inform your insurer of all security measures, if you’re lucky you might even get a discount.
Guest Communication: Be clear in your listing and pre-arrival messages about your security features. Transparency builds trust and is crucial in building a long-standing holiday home rental business.
Need Help Securing Your Holiday Let?
At Herts Security Systems, we specialise in bespoke security solutions and have protected a number of short term rentals and second homes across the locations we service. From smart CCTV to access control and alarm systems, we help you protect your property and your peace of mind.
Contact us today to book a free security consultation.