Property managers are charged with the safety and integrity of their buildings. As such, they can be liable for injuries or crimes that occur in common areas, such as courtyards, lobbies and hallways.
With numerous tenants and multiple properties, fulfilling this duty can seem a bit overwhelming. Luckily, available technology solutions simplify security so tenants and property managers alike can rest easy.
Introducing access control for residential complexes: The safe and easy way to let tenants and guests in, and keep criminals out.
What is Access Control?
From the parking garage to individual suites, access control makes sure that only authorized persons are able to gain entry to your building and specific areas within it.
Best vendors will walk through your access control options to tailor a system that best suits your property management needs. Commonly used technologies include:
- Biometric readers
- Key fobs
- Access cards with pictures
Access Control Use Cases
For Tenants:
Property managers can designate areas of the building tenants can access.
For example, they may be able to enter main building doors, individual apartments and shared common areas like the gym, whereas be unauthorized to enter maintenance or IT rooms, management offices or restricted areas.
Time parameters can also be established. For example, for amenities like pools and workout rooms, access control solutions can be set to only allow entry during hours of operation.
For Guests:
Access control solutions can also help monitor guests and guard against unknown persons from entering the building. Options range in sophistication from front desk check-in to intercom systems to video surveillance monitoring, depending on your property’s needs.
For Employees:
Similar to how they manage tenants, property managers can control what areas of the building employees can access—and when.
For instance, maintenance personnel may have 24/7 access to the building, basement and maintenance closet; however, only temporary access to individual suites. This way, they can only enter residences when maintenance requests are submitted.
Access Control Considerations
To discourage a lackadaisical approach to keeping individual passkeys safe, we recommend placing a fine on any lost key.
Those reported lost or stolen should be stripped of access abilities. When a tenant moves out, associated passkeys should also be reclaimed. The property manager can then terminate the credential in the access software and reprogram them for the next tenant.
Integrated Access Control
Access control solutions provide even more security when paired with other technologies, such as video surveillance. For example, with integrated systems, property managers can ensure that those granted specific key passes are the ones using them by cross-referencing entry log data against video surveillance footage.
How do you control access to your properties? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Image Source: Lydia via Flickr
