Empty house - curtains

[goodwood]

We are buying a house which we'll own in a few weeks and it will be empty for a month or so until we do some work. Is it better to have curtains up to make it more lived in or better to put none up so any burglar can see in that there's nothing to take. There's no alarm, though it's not in a big city. Advice welcome please.

You can buy a simple DIY alarm for about £160 which (if there is a phone line) will call you in the event of an actuation. If you can afford more you can get better.

My preferance is to have curtains, with lamps and radios on different timers to make it look occupied. Energy saving lamps only cost pence to run. Squatters will look for a deserted house and could be a nightmare.

Burglars will get close enough to peep in through the windows and spot your absence of belongings.

Window locks and good door locks combined with an alarm will make it unattractive. Deadlocks on all the external doors, and keys taken away, will make it difficult for them to get out, which is unsettling, and makes it difficult to carry out the boiler and copper pipes.

Nosey neighbours can be a great help if you get then on your side.

Even a house with no possessions in it has stuff to steal. Friends had their flat stripped of the bathroom, all light fittings, door handles, hot water tank.... nowadays you'd probably find the wiring missing if they can get at it.