Possible break-in at rental. What steps do I need to take?

[Nicole Heasley Beitenman]

My tenants came home to an open window. They called the police to inspect the home and make sure no one was still in there. They did not notice anything missing or disturbed, but they just started moving in a few days ago, so they don’t have much in there. 

We’re going to change the locks and check all the windows to make sure they’re working/locking properly. The windows fold in for cleaning, and I did clean all the windows before they moved in. If I didn’t reset/lock them properly, I could see how it could fall inward. There are no screens on the outside. 

What steps do I need to take? Should I look into a security system for them? The house is my former primary. We never had an issue in the 3 years I lived there. 

[John N.]

The solution is simple and inexpensive.  Purchase a SimpliSafe alarm system.  Only purchase a keypad, a transmitter and one or two motion detectors.  The are super simple self install items that you can put in your house when its vacant and when you rent the house you put the alarm components back in the box, put it back on your closet shelf, go onto your phone app and stop the monitoring service until the house is empty and your portable security system is back in place. There is no contract and no minimums.  Its all batteries, no wires and works great. You can also put a smoke/fire detector in your kit if you like.  Its worth every penny, it keeps out vandals, thieves, and squatters.

John