Real Estate Security


 

Why should a real estate building be concerned with setting up its security measures?


Setting up a real estate security system will help your property management business protect both people and property. It is, therefore, no wonder that real estate owners and brokers rarely rely on apartment security systems organized by individual tenants. More often, they need an integrated solution to safeguard the whole building.

Having people in the apartments provides limited protection. Dangers to a real estate property can come from internal and external sources. As much as busy buildings make security for real estate seem obsolete, most buildings are almost never full. Vacant apartments are inviting for theft of people’s personal possessions or for damaging the property. When there is no one around to keep an eye on a building, regardless of how big or small it is, vandals and thieves find ways to destroy walls, doors and windows. They can steal wiring, woodwork and lobby accessories. This is why real estate security measures are also investments in maintenance.

If you are in the middle of a construction process, workmen can guard the property during working hours, but won’t stick around 24/7. A detailed background check is not an absolute proof of someone’s character, even if you do your work and check the hired people.

Owners of large residential property buildings and condominiums have an additional concern.

Even when tenants take care of the individual apartment security systems, as a manager, the property perimeter security, joint spaces, parking lots, parks and recreational areas fall within your domain of responsibilities. Safe properties raise prices on real estate markets. Agents use this factor as one of the key benefits when selling a property. “How safe is this property and this area?” is one of the first questions buyers and renters ask when searching for a new home.

 
 

Given the circumstances of real estate buildings, what is the ideal security arrangement for a real estate building?


Apartment buildings get a mix of visitors daily. Multi-floor building layouts have vertical and horizontal frequency. This is why you won't be able to rely on security guards only. Real estate security solutions for larger property management businesses almost always need to include integrated video surveillance and electronic access control. A basic mechanical lock and key solution and one person to monitor the entrance are simply not enough.

Although security for real estate areas must be always tailored to the concrete needs, some risks are shared. Having installed cameras at the main doors and running an automatic visitor management system will let you keep records of all people who get in and out, be it permanent residents or delivery persons. It's easy to issue and set one card to access the lobby area and leave it to the tenants to organize the apartment security system as they need.

What are some of the unique points a real estate building should take note when setting up its security process?

 
 

What are some of the unique points a real estate building should take note when setting up its security process?


Many government authorities don't leave security for real estate to the total freedom of owners. Real estate security is often treated as a public good. As a property manager, you might have some leeway in how you handle maintenance and budget spending. Property taxes and arrangements for contractors are a different story, though. Officials are heavily interested in keeping things in these areas to the book.

Since you must meet many property management standards, keep in mind the apartment security systems as you buy, build or refurbish and existing property. Repairs and maintenance are easily managed and cost-effective if you tackle the wiring, the new electronic door installation and the setup for the access system at one go.

Residents can be negligent. Access cards are easily lost or borrowed to another person. Duplicates are not only costly, but also unsafe. Due to the frequency of visitors, you will keep your mind free of extra headache if you decide to use smartphones instead of access cards.

For forward-looking real estate managers, electronic access control enables integration of smart buildings within smart cities. As a long-term investment, the immediate investment in areas with such potential will have additional payoffs in the future.