Multifamily residential buildings provide residents with the benefits of communal living. These buildings consist of apartment amenities many single-family homes don’t have. They are often located in the middle of the city and other urban areas for easy access to everything. However, with this convenience comes the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of all residents. Educating residents about multifamily residential building safety is paramount to creating a secure place to call home.
You can have all the security layers and technology in a multifamily residential building, but it only takes one resident’s mistake to bring down security. Humans are always the weakest link. This is why it’s essential to educate residents about security and safety. Besides, you have an informal built-in security watch team in your residents. They can observe their surroundings and report anything that looks off.
The Need for Multifamily Residential Building Security
Security measures can make or break the well-being and peace of mind of residents, employees, and property owners. The primary reason for emphasizing security in multifamily residential buildings is to ensure the safety of residents. People choose apartment buildings for their convenience and for being a safe place as they never feel alone. They count on building security to protect them.
Multiple layers of security provide a deterrent to criminal activity. When potential criminals notice a well-protected and monitored building, they are less likely to commit a crime inside or around the property. Deterrence helps protect residents and reduces the risk of property damage and theft.
Residents spend a chunk of their income to live in a multifamily residential building and make it feel like a home by filling it with personal things. Without the right security measures and technologies, their belongings are at risk of theft, vandalism, or damage. A secure multifamily residential property that emphasizes resident safety education helps protect the property and cuts the chances of dealing with costs associated with theft or damage.
That said, here are the key reasons multifamily residential properties need to prioritize security.
Legal and ethical responsibility
Property owners and management companies have a legal and ethical responsibility to help ensure the safety of their residents. They can reinforce this perception by implementing multiple effective security measures that help protect residents from harm, crime, and emergencies.
Neglecting security could result in expensive lawsuits, reputation damage, and, most importantly, harm to residents. By proactively addressing security concerns, property managers can fulfill their legal obligations while creating a safer, more desirable home.
As previously stated, property companies have a legal obligation to create a safe place for their residents and employees. Failing to invest in security measures and staying on top of them could result in legal liability if anything happens to anyone. By being proactive in enhancing security, property owners can mitigate their legal risks and safeguard their finances.
Resident retention
Moreover, a secure living environment enhances resident satisfaction and increases retention rates. It makes an excellent resident retention tool. Residents are more likely to renew their leases and recommend the building to friends and family if they feel at home and safe. As you know, resident turnover is more expensive than working to keep residents. Therefore, investing in security measures could lead to long-term financial benefits.
Preserve reputation and brand
Another reason for the emphasis on security is to protect the building’s reputation and company’s brand. News of security incidents or a lack of safety measures can spread quickly, tarnishing the building’s image and making it less attractive to prospective residents. On the other hand, a reputation for being a secure and well-maintained place to live can enhance the property’s marketability and has a better chance of attracting new residents.
One of the valuable aspects of multifamily residential properties is they provide a community. This isn’t always easy to get in single-family home neighborhoods. Residents get to know their neighbors as they meet them in the communal spaces.
The more people they know and connect with, the greater the sense of community and security. When people feel safe in their living environment, they are more likely to engage in community activities and contribute positively to the overall well-being of the building.
Urbanization
Urbanization is a global phenomenon in which more people than ever before choose to live in densely populated urban areas. This trend has led to a surge in the construction of multifamily residential buildings to accommodate the growing population in cities. As the number of people living in these community buildings increases, so does the need for robust security measures to protect residents and their property.
Vulnerabilities
Multifamily residential properties such as apartments and condos, by their very nature, present unique security challenges. They often have multiple entry points, shared common areas, and diverse groups of residents. These vulnerabilities can make them attractive targets for criminal activities, including burglary, vandalism, and unauthorized access. Without adequate security measures in place, property, and residents are at risk.
Security in apartment buildings is not a luxury but a fundamental necessity. It serves to help protect the safety of residents, deter criminal activity, safeguard property, reduce legal liability, improve tenant retention, manage the building’s reputation, and promote community well-being.
By prioritizing security measures and educating residents about safety practices, property owners and management companies can create a thriving and secure living environment that benefits everyone involved.
Best Practices for Resident Security
The key to an effective multifamily residential security program is one with multiple layers. Security involves a multitude of tools and actions to take. However, here are the top four that can cover a lot of ground.
Well-lit common areas
Have you ever walked alone in a dark or dimly lit parking lot? How does it feel? Most likely, not very comfortable. That’s why a well-lit environment can be a strong deterrent to criminal activity. It’s highly recommended to have a security professional review the lighting in common areas such as hallways, parking lots, and entry and exit points. The right kind of lighting minimizes hiding spots for potential intruders and helps residents feel safer after dark.
Access control systems
Considering many people live in the building, no one can know them all. Residents aren’t likely to know who lives there and who doesn’t. This is why adding a robust access control system is critical for resident security. These systems may include secure entry and exit points, electronic key cards, app access, and intercoms.
Limiting access to the building and monitoring who enters and exits helps prevent unauthorized individuals from gaining entry. However, access control systems can’t do it alone. There’s nothing to stop a resident from holding the door open for a stranger. This is where video cameras can help close the gap.
Video surveillance with remote monitoring
A remote video surveillance system helps avert criminal activities and catch problems early before anything happens. Security cameras strategically placed around the property on the inside and outside make it possible to monitor the entire property at all hours.
The remote monitoring part of the equation typically involves human operators and technology such as video analytics and artificial intelligence. To maximize security, you should opt for both. Each has its advantages.
Can you imagine watching cameras for hours on end? It’s tedious. This is where video analytics thrive. They ease the monitoring operators’ load by searching for a match in any one of its many preprogrammed scenarios.
When video analytics detects a match, it can alert the human operator. The operator checks out what’s happening. If it’s a real problem, then the trained monitoring operator can respond appropriately to the situation.
Video surveillance with monitoring can include an onsite speaker that allows the operator to warn the intruder.
If people come and go, it could give unauthorized individuals the opportunity to walk in by tailgating or piggybacking. These require educating residents, which would be part of the training. However, they may not always remember.
Thus, remote video surveillance can watch for tailgating and piggybacking, safety hazards, and lighting problems. This is more effective than having to walk the entire property every day to check the lights. All it takes is one broken light to put the property at risk for problems.
The monitoring operator — located elsewhere away from the community — won’t have the awkwardness of being there in person. So, it’s easy for them to help deter someone since their lives aren’t in danger. Everything the cameras see can be saved as recordings. These provide evidence for liability claims and anything that happens. They can also help prevent package theft.
Security education for residents
As stated before, humans are the weakest link in security. That’s why it’s essential to educate residents about security and safety practices.
Teaching Strategies for Educating Residents About Security
Empowering residents with knowledge on how to protect themselves and their neighbors can make a huge difference in overall building security. Here are some strategies.
Provide new resident orientation
Start educating residents about security from the day they move in. During the orientation process, give them a welcome pack with information about building security protocols, emergency contacts, and safety tips. This sets a positive tone and emphasizes the importance of safety from day one.
Hold workshops and seminars
Organize regular security workshops and seminars. Cover topics such as emergency evacuation procedures, recognizing and reporting suspicious activity, and personal safety strategies. Invite local law enforcement to speak and share their insights.
List online resources and apps
Devote a section on the property’s website or app with links to online resources and mobile apps related to security and building safety. This section can have safety guides, emergency contact information, and regular security updates.
Establish a neighborhood watch program
Facilitate the creation of neighborhood watch programs within the multifamily residential community. These programs promote a sense of community, encourage residents to look out for each other, and provide a channel for reporting security concerns.
Run emergency drills
Randomly conduct emergency drills to help residents learn and remember what to do in an emergency. These drills should be well-organized, with clear instructions and designated meeting points. Provide documentation of the process on the community’s website or app security resource.
Communication channels
Make it easy for residents to find information on how to report security concerns or suspicious activity. It may help to have an anonymous reporting system in case residents are worried about retaliation or fear for their safety.
Teaching residents about security can empower them to take an active role in their safety and the safety of their neighbors. By following these strategies and emphasizing the importance of security, property owners and management companies can fulfill their legal and ethical responsibilities while providing residents with the peace of mind they deserve. As a bonus, it could maximize multifamily net operating income.
To learn more about security for multifamily residential properties, check out this free guide on monetizing security while balancing access, safety and profitability. To learn more about remote video surveillance and access control systems, please contact us.
Texas Private Security License Number: B14187
California Alarm Operator License Number: ACO7876
Florida Alarm System Contractor I License Number: EF20001598
Tennessee Alarm Contracting Company License Number: 2294
Virginia Private Security Services Business License Number: 11-19499
Alabama Electronic Security License # 002116
Canada TSBC License: LEL0200704
