Alarm systems, cameras, smart locks, PNO insurance: the solutions to protect your property between rentals, even from a distance.
A second home used for short-term rental accumulates several risk factors: it is empty for extended periods, it regularly admits strangers, and the owner is often absent when a problem occurs. Securing your property is therefore a priority, both to protect the asset and to avoid situations that can generate negative reviews or disputes with guests. Here are the devices that genuinely make a difference in 2026.
The alarm system: the foundation of any protection
A connected alarm system is now accessible for all budgets. Wireless, subscription-free solutions from brands such as Somfy, Ajax or Risco allow installation without structural works and management from a smartphone. A complete system (control panel, motion detectors, window and door sensors, siren) costs between €300 and €1,500 depending on the size of the property. Remote monitoring by a security centre costs between €20 and €50 per month and enables an agent to be dispatched on alert.
Cameras: rights and limits
Surveillance cameras are permitted in exterior spaces (entrance, car park, garden) but are strictly prohibited inside a rental property, including common areas such as the corridor or living room. Exterior cameras must be declared to the CNIL and signposted with a visible notice. They are an excellent deterrent and allow damage to be documented at the end of a stay. Connected cameras alert you via smartphone to any suspicious movement in real time.
Smart locks: the end of keys
The code or badge smart lock has become standard in professional short-term rental. It allows a unique code to be generated for each guest, valid only for the duration of their stay, without any physical intervention by the owner. The most common brands in France (Nuki, Yale, Igloohome) fit to an existing lock without drilling and are managed via a smartphone app. The cost is €150 to €400 depending on model. It also solves the lost key problem, one of the most frequent causes of disputes between hosts and guests.
Damage sensors: water, smoke, CO2
Water leak sensors (€50 to €200) are particularly useful in second homes: an undetected leak over several weeks can cause considerable damage. Smoke detectors are legally mandatory, but connected models that alert you via smartphone when triggered are far more useful than standard ones. A CO2 detector in rooms equipped with a gas burner is an often underestimated precaution.
PNO insurance: mandatory and often poorly calibrated
Non-occupying owner (PNO) insurance is mandatory for any rental property. It covers the owner's civil liability and building damage in the owner's absence. For short-term rentals, it is essential to verify that your PNO contract explicitly covers short-term letting and damage caused by temporary occupants. Airbnb offers host protection (AirCover) but it does not replace comprehensive PNO insurance: read the exclusions carefully before relying on it.
Inspect between each stay
Even with all security devices in place, a monthly physical inspection by a trusted service provider is recommended for properties left empty in low season. This inspection catches a leak, dampness, a failing appliance or an intrusion before the situation worsens. Many concierge services include this as part of their management offer.
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