How to Maximize Security at Your Rental Property or Community – Part 1: Where To Start
While most people look for certain amenities when considering which apartment communities or housing rentals interest them, those who have already chosen to call such properties home truly are the heart of rentals. And just as homeowners are comforted by the idea of security and have a realistic belief that their premises are safe, renters want to feel the same way.
Property managers or owners have the duty and responsibility to provide security measures designed to guard residents from threats like trespassers or loiterers, apartment or vehicle break-ins, and theft or assault.
The best way to attract and keep great tenants, as well as protect the business interests of having housing for rent, is to offer a place where everyone feels safe. Now is the time to elevate the security there, and the capabilities and professionalism of the security system, monitoring service, and guards that keep watch over not only your property, but also those who have chosen to call it “home”.
Where to Start
The easiest and fastest way to get started on your mission to provide a safe place for your renters is to complete any needed repairs to all apartments (especially doors, windows, outside stairs, and the like), clean community and common areas, ensure all outside lighting is in good working order and provides sufficient brightness, check all gates and locking mechanisms for proper operation, handle maintenance requests in a timely fashion, and other similar projects that may be unique to your property (depending on layout, amenities, etc). Other than your security system (which will be addressed later in this article), in many situations, your staff may be the first line of defense as they go about their normal responsibilities at work. For this reason, providing them with some information on what to look for may enable them to help prevent criminal activity or alleviate an issue detrimental to the community’s safety. Orlando Police Department Officer Derwin Bradley said, “Train your employees how to spot crime and report crime. They should be looking out for people who don’t belong in the community, and making sure the people who do live there are following the rules.”
You can, and should, manage and correct anything in disrepair or disarray in the apartment community. These variables have an impact on security, and unlike many others that also do, are completely within your control. If you project the image that your property is well taken care of, according to the “broken windows theory”, you are not contributing to having an environment where crime can thrive. For example, in addition to fixing literally broken windows, you should regularly remove trash and signs of vandalism, and tend to the upkeep on decorative and functional items around the grounds, including the parking lot. Paying attention to these things and caring for the apartment community or building helps to prevent crime and other security concerns, and it also makes a great impression (on both current tenants and prospective renters, but also your insurance provider).
In individual units, as well as the previously mentioned repairs and timely completion of requests for them, maintenance checks on doors and window locks should be completed. Door viewers that provide a 180-degree field will help occupants feel safer when they hear someone knocking. It’s also a good idea to inspire tenants to meet each other, which can be done through regularly scheduled community-wide events like a barbeque by the pool, mixer held in the lobby or other spot fit for gathering, or movie night. The options are endless! Hopefully, meeting leads to them getting to know each other. It would foster more confidence and comfort in your residents, plus if they know each other and become familiar, they are more apt to look out for their neighbors and detect potential security concerns (such as unusual activity, trespassers, and loiterers). Safety and being aware of what goes on at the property is everyone’s responsibility. Officer Bradley concurs, having stated, “You need active participation with your residents. The more you engage your residents, and remind them it’s part of their responsibility to keep an eye on things, the better and safer your community will be.”
While we know our integrated security solutions offer the best protection for your apartment community or housing rental property, when they are used in conjunction with the above, your residents will feel even safer and more secure. Be sure to catch our future newsletters for more information on this topic!
