August 19, 2023, 10:25 am | Read time: 5 minutes

In larger multi-family buildings, burglars exploit the carelessness of neighbors. “In single-family homes, thieves usually pry open windows or doors. In multi-family buildings, they just need to ring the doorbell of one or more residents–and they’re in,” says Helmut Rieche, chairman of the initiative for active burglary protection “Not with me!”. A simple and good piece of advice for residents of multi-family buildings is to ask who is there before opening the door. “A healthy dose of skepticism is definitely appropriate,” Rieche adds.

The Anonymity of High-Rises as an Opportunity

There is always a risk of burglary. “Burglars are always hoping for lucrative loot and take advantage of opportunities like poorly secured doors, windows, or patio doors. The anonymity in high-rises or residential complexes often works in their favor,” says Police Director Joachim Schneider, managing director of the Police Crime Prevention of the States and the Federal Government.

Therefore, the second good tip is: Neighbors should look out for each other and keep an eye on their surroundings. “If something seems suspicious to neighbors, they shouldn’t hesitate to inform the police–better too often than not enough,” Schneider says.

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What Signs to Watch For

According to the police director, you should pay closer attention to the following situations:

• If cars with foreign license plates repeatedly drive slowly through the neighborhood, they could be scouting criminals.
• If strangers are waiting seemingly without reason on the street, in the hallway, or in a parked car, they might be acting as lookouts for a crime.
• If multiple residents are being rung in the building, burglars might be trying to find out where someone is home and where not.
• If there is drilling and hammering or wood splintering somewhere in the building, it could be construction work, but also a burglary.

“If neighbors notice something suspicious, they should immediately notify the police via the emergency number 110,” advises Joachim Schneider. If possible, they should note down license plates and descriptions of suspicious cars and people. The following information is particularly important for the police:

• What happened?
• Where and when did it happen?
• Who is reporting the incident?

Mechanical Security as Protection

The police also recommend mechanical security for all windows and doors. “It helps a lot to replace the old roller pins on the windows with mushroom head pins, which are arranged all around and lock into stable steel strike plates screwed into the frame when closed,” explains Helmut Rieche.

Additional security is provided by a burglary and robbery alarm system. This automatically reports burglary attempts, and residents can also trigger the alarm themselves in case of danger.

Related: Burglary protection–8 smart home systems for more security

More on the topic

Fake Presence Should You Leave the Shutters up or Close Them to Prevent Burglary?

Inquired How Far Can Tenant Security Measures Go?

Tenants Must Ask Landlords

According to the German Tenants’ Association (DMB), tenants generally have no right to retrofitting burglar-resistant windows or doors, security locks, peepholes, or intercom systems. “If tenants want to invest in their apartment’s security on their own, they must obtain the landlord’s permission for any structural changes to the rental property,” says the DMB.

Tenants should also clarify what happens to their investment when they move out. Otherwise, the landlord may require the apartment to be restored to its original condition–which could result in high costs for the tenant. The Tenants’ Association recommends agreeing that no such restoration is necessary upon moving out.

By the way: If the landlord invests in such protective measures, it is considered a modernization, which may allow them to increase the rent.

How to Protect Yourself from Burglars in a Multi-Family Building

But even tenants who cannot afford renovations are not defenseless. Often, small measures can make it more difficult for burglars in a multi-family building to commit their crime or even prevent it.

For example, windows, apartment, and patio doors should always be fully closed when absent. “Even if you’re just leaving the apartment briefly, always lock up,” advises Joachim Schneider. Don’t just let the door latch. “And never leave windows tilted. Tilted windows are open windows.” Also, the front door should always be locked, even during the day, as well as basement and attic doors.

More on this: 8 tips to protect your apartment from a burglary

“The key is to simulate presence,” adds Helmut Rieche. Residents should create the impression that someone is home during vacations or extended absences. This can be done, for example, with a timer that turns the lights on and off at intervals.

Regularly raising and lowering the shutters also simulates presence–neighbors could take on this task. “If that’s not possible, it’s better to leave the shutters open than to have them constantly closed,” says Police Director Joachim Schneider.

However, burglars know these tricks. They also pay attention to small details like a full mailbox or an uncut lawn in the front yard. Or the open garage door with no car inside. These signs indicate to them that the residents are away.

The police therefore advise having the mailbox emptied by friends or neighbors and asking them to keep a watchful eye on the apartment. A mix of vigilance, secure technology, and good neighborly relations is the best protection against burglars.

with material from dpa