Being responsible for a building of tenants requires attention to their safety and security. There are several ways to help protect the residents before they even get inside their housing units. Here are some important things you can do to prevent accidents and injuries in your apartment complex.
Secure Entry
In addition to ensuring each apartment or housing unit has its own locking system, it is a good idea to make each building accessible only to residents rather than the public at large. You can keep solicitors and vandals away by installing a main entrance security system that works only for those who live there. There are numerous options to choose from, including a regular master key, a digital lock with a code, or a bio-sensor for checking ID through scanning a body part like a person’s eye or fingerprint.
Parking Safety
Unless the residents park on the street, any private parking areas or lots should be kept safe and free of debris. In the winter, snow removal is especially important to provide residents with cleared parking spaces that can be accessed despite heavy snowfall or freezing rain. You may want to line up someone who can plow the parking lot before cold weather sets in. That way, you know they will be available when needed before snow piles high. The ability to park without having to deal with obstacles, including snow and ice, is a tenant’s right.
Security Lighting
For night-time safety when entering or leaving the building, install lighting at the entrance, along all walkways, and around the parking lot. Outdoor lighting helps to prevent tripping and falling, and it discourages anyone trying to assault a resident or rob them. Lights around the parking area make it safer to negotiate at night as well. You may want to invest in pole lights or start with ground-level solar lights to see if that will be adequate. Motion detector lights mounted on the building can be helpful in detecting intruders who get too close.
Locked Mailboxes
Many multi-unit buildings include locked mailboxes, with each resident given a key to their specific box. Some mailboxes are inside the building in the general hallway while others are grouped outside in a designated mail area. Keeping the mailboxes secure and functional is another role of the building supervisor.
A safe outdoor area leading to the housing itself is an attractive draw for many renters. Keep your building’s exterior secure so that residents will be comfortable in their comings and goings.
