Renting means you can't rip out the front door lock, but there's still a meaningful list of things within your control.
Check Your Lease First
Many leases actually allow tenants to rekey with notice to the landlord, especially reasonable given how many past tenants may have had keys. See locked out of your apartment for more on lease-related lockout rules.
Things You Usually Can Do Without Permission
- Add a portable door lock or brace for extra reinforcement at night
- Use a video doorbell that mounts without drilling (many battery models exist)
- Add motion-sensor lights that plug into an existing outlet
- Keep your own spare key with someone you trust, see why having a spare matters
Things to Ask Your Landlord About
- Rekeying the unit, especially at move-in
- Upgrading a weak entry lock to a better-rated deadbolt
- Fixing a lock that's showing wear, see signs your lock needs replacement
Sliding Doors and Balconies
If your unit has a sliding door or ground-floor balcony access, a supplemental pin lock or security bar is inexpensive and doesn't require permission in most cases.
Building-Wide Considerations
Report broken common-area locks or propped-open building entrances to management promptly, these affect every resident's security, not just yours.
Renting and want a security assessment, or landlord permission to upgrade? Call 818-249-5128, we work directly with property managers regularly.