Understanding Neighboring Property Accessibility for Your Home

When filling out your Fortify Form after purchasing your Fortify Plan, one key aspect to consider is neighboring property accessibility. How accessible your home is from adjacent properties can have a significant impact on your security. Whether your property has shared access points with neighbors or is completely isolated, understanding and accurately reporting this can ensure your Fortify Plan offers the best security solutions. This blog will help you evaluate your property’s accessibility in relation to neighboring homes and guide you in filling out your Fortify Form.

1. Easily Accessible Neighboring Property

If your home is easily accessible from neighboring properties, it means that people or vehicles can move freely between your property and your neighbors’ properties without any significant barriers. This could include open lawns, low fences, or even direct paths leading from one home to another.

Characteristics of Easily Accessible Property:

• No substantial barriers such as high fences, walls, or natural obstacles between properties.
• Open yards or driveways that lead directly to neighboring homes.
• Minimal restrictions on movement between properties.

Neighboring Property Security Considerations:

• Homes with easily accessible neighboring property require stronger property access control measures to prevent unauthorized access from adjacent areas.
• Installing higher fences, hedges, or security gates can help create physical boundaries and reduce the risk of unwanted visitors entering your property.

If your home is easily accessible from neighboring properties, be sure to indicate this in your Fortify Form. Your Fortify Plan will recommend appropriate security measures to manage and secure shared spaces.

2. Shared Access Points

Shared access points are common in many residential areas, particularly in townhomes, condos, or properties that share driveways, alleyways, or pathways. Shared access can be convenient but also poses unique security challenges, as multiple parties have access to certain areas.

Characteristics of Shared Access Points:

• A shared driveway, alley, or walkway that is used by both you and your neighbors.
• Common entry points that multiple households use to access their homes or garages.
• Shared property boundaries with minimal barriers between homes.

Property Access Control for Shared Spaces:

• Installing gates, locks, or barriers at shared entry points can help limit unauthorized access to your property.
• Adding surveillance cameras or motion-activated lighting at shared access points can further enhance security by monitoring activity around these areas.

If your home has shared access points with neighboring properties, include this detail in your Fortify Form so your security plan addresses the unique challenges of managing shared spaces.

3. Moderately Accessible Property

A moderately accessible property strikes a balance between having open areas and some barriers that limit direct access to your home from neighboring properties. While not fully restricted, these properties often have partial fences, gates, or natural obstacles that provide some security.

Characteristics of Moderately Accessible Property:

• Partial barriers, such as low fences, bushes, or trees that offer limited separation between properties.
• Neighboring homes may have visibility into your yard but restricted physical access.
• Some areas of the property may be more open, while others are secured.

Home Access from Neighbors:

• Installing additional barriers in specific areas can enhance security without completely closing off the property.
• Motion-activated lighting and cameras can help monitor moderately accessible properties, especially around entry points and less secure areas.

If your home is moderately accessible, make sure to note this in your Fortify Form so your Fortify Plan can address both the open and restricted areas of your property.

4. Limited Accessibility

A property with limited accessibility has stronger physical barriers in place, making it difficult for individuals to access your home from neighboring properties. This often includes higher fences, walls, or natural barriers that prevent easy movement between homes.

Characteristics of Limited Accessibility:

• High fences, walls, or hedges that create clear boundaries between properties.
• Limited entry points that are controlled or monitored.
• Physical barriers that restrict movement from neighboring homes.

Property Accessibility Guide for Limited Access:

• Even with limited accessibility, it’s important to assess potential weak points such as gates or less-visible areas of the property.
• Regular maintenance of fences and gates ensures that barriers remain effective in preventing unwanted access.

If your home has limited accessibility, include this in your Fortify Form. Your security plan may focus on reinforcing existing barriers and monitoring entry points for enhanced protection.

5. Not Accessible Property

If your property is not accessible from neighboring homes, it means there are significant barriers, such as high walls, natural features (like cliffs or dense forests), or exclusive access points that prevent any movement between your property and adjacent ones.

Characteristics of Not Accessible Property:

• High walls, dense hedges, or natural obstacles that make it impossible to move between properties.
• No shared access points, and the property is fully enclosed or isolated.
• Complete separation from neighboring homes with no direct visibility or paths between them.

Residential Property Security for Isolated Homes:

• While not accessible properties are naturally more secure, additional security measures such as cameras, alarm systems, or perimeter lighting can further enhance protection.
• Monitoring entry points and maintaining barriers is crucial to prevent any breaches, especially in isolated or rural areas.

If your property is not accessible from neighboring homes, be sure to indicate this in your Fortify Form. Your Fortify Plan can focus on securing entry points and monitoring any potential access vulnerabilities.