Apartment Security – What to Expect

The Houston multi-family living market has surged since the end of 2017. Families displaced from their homes because of Hurricane Harvey and significant job growth in the city in the fourth quarter contributed to the spike.

High occupancy rates lead to hundreds of tenants residing within a single property. That, plus guests coming on-property, means security is of utmost importance. When looking for an apartment, you want to find a place with the latest in security technology as well as an obvious commitment to safety of the residents. 

Perimeter Fences and Access Control Systems

While a fence on its own is unlikely to prevent crime at a property, it should be a minimum requirement. Especially for complexes on a busy street, fencing or a high wall around the full perimeter can slow down a potential criminal. 

Be sure any property you look at has both locked pedestrian gates and electronic vehicular gates. Residents can use an access card, key fob or app on their phone to gain access via the gates. For the vehicle gate, many communities have implemented Transcore reader technology. This system reads an electronic tag (like a toll tag) inside your vehicle and then opens the gate. Your visitors will rely on a phone entry system to contact you to open the gate remotely.

Apartments with a lobby and internal hallways instead of direct outside access for each unit should require gate access to the parking area and have locked exterior doors. Lobby visitors should not have direct access to interior hallways.

Locked gates to the pool and other amenities also prevents non-residents from coming on the property to use these facilities.

Employee Confidence

Property managers should implement a background check process for all employees working on site. Contractors and service providers should also be carefully vetted and meet minimum requirements for licensing and insurance coverage.

When looking at an apartment community, ask who has access to enter your unit and what kind of notification and/or consent is required. No one should be allowed to enter your apartment without your permission or advanced notification (i.e. pest control).  If leasing agents cannot answer these questions or seem evasive, this isn’t the place for you.

Private Security Patrols

Apartment management can show their commitment to safety for the property and residents by hiring a private security patrol. Just the sight of private security is often enough to deter potential criminals. And if a burglar breaks into the premises, there’s a greater chance of them getting caught if security is patrolling the area.

Video Surveillance

Look for video cameras around the property, especially at all entrances and in common areas. Pools, play areas, clubhouses and parking areas should all be included in the video plan. When visiting an apartment community, ask them how the video cameras are viewed. Are they primarily used for reviewing video after the fact or does someone actively watch the property? Ideally, they will be monitored live and action will be taken right away if needed. 

Everyone Plays a Part

Tenants have their part to play in keeping the community safe and secure. Knowing your neighbors and recognizing and reporting unusual people or activity add a layer of security.  Even if the locked gates and doors seem like an inconvenience, they serve a greater purpose. Don’t give out codes or keys to non-residents and don’t allow access for people you don’t know. 

In addition:

• Don’t prop doors or gates open
• Be alert if someone seems to be loitering around the property (including the parking garage or lot) and call security or the police
• Arrange to have packages picked up by someone or held if away
• Keep doors and windows locked, even on upper floors when not home or asleep — many a burglar has climbed from one balcony to another to gain access to an unlocked apartment

Cultris Security Systems works with many local Houston apartment and townhome communities. Contact us for assistance with the property or for your individual unit.

Call us at 281-506-8466 or visit us online today!