Top 10 Reasons Why Multi-Family Properties Deploy Electronic Access Control Solutions

As the demand for smart building solutions grows, multi-family properties are increasingly adopting electronic access control systems. These solutions, which encompass various types such as apartment visitor management systems, building entry systems, and door access systems, not only enhance safety and operational efficiency but also provide numerous other benefits that appeal to property managers, residents, and staff alike. Here are the top 10 reasons why multi-family properties deploy electronic access control solutions:

1. Meeting the Expectations of Residents and On-Site Property Staff

   A primary driver for adopting access control solutions is to meet the evolving expectations of both residents and property staff, including property managers, leasing agents, and maintenance personnel. For example, residents expect seamless, keyless entry and enhanced security. Property managers benefit from systems that simplify access management and reduce the manual effort required to both control and monitor access points and the issuance of access devices.

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   Enhancing Community Safety and Security

   Safety is a top priority for multi-family properties, and electronic access control systems significantly enhance community security. By restricting unauthorized access, reducing the sharing of physical keys and digital access codes, and thus providing a more secure environment, these systems, including multi-family residential gate security solutions, help promote a sense of safety among residents, which is crucial for tenant satisfaction and retention.

3. Remote Access for Maintenance Staff and Contractors

   Property managers often need to provide access to maintenance staff and contractors without being physically present. Electronic access control systems, that can be controlled via an app or a cloud-based portal, allow for easy remote access and administration. This makes it simpler to manage repairs and maintenance efficiently while maintaining security.

4. Minimizing Key Replacement Costs

   Traditional keys can be easily lost, stolen, or copied, leading to significant replacement costs, the need for rekeying doors, and general security concerns. Solutions like multifamily smartphone access—particularly for visitors to the property—eliminate the need for physical keys, thereby reducing associated costs and security risks.

5. Tracking Contractors and Other Workers

   With systems like multi-family gate intercoms and multi-family intercom systems and the use of digital virtual keys, properties can track the entry and exit of contractors and other workers digitally, with video streaming upon access request, photos taken on all access attempts and digital records of entry dates and times. This not only improves security but also provides a clear audit trail, which can be invaluable for managing access and ensuring accountability.

6. Supporting Self-Guided Tours for Prospective Residents

   Self-guided tours have become increasingly popular, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Electronic access control systems facilitate these tours by allowing prospective residents to view available units at their convenience using a temporary digital credentials, enhancing the leasing process and reducing the workload on leasing staff.

7. Centralized Leasing Support

   Centralized leasing is a growing trend in multi-family properties, and electronic access control systems play a critical role in supporting this business model. By streamlining access management across multiple properties or units – by utilizing a cloud-based security administrative system or a smartphone app that allows for remote administration—these systems make it easier for leasing teams to manage multiple sites from a central location, eliminating the need for an on-site property manager at every physical location.

8. Improving Operational Efficiency

   Beyond security, electronic access control systems contribute significantly to operational efficiency. By automating access management and integrating with other property management software systems, these solutions help streamline operations and reduce the manual workload of having to perform dual entry in multiple systems when tracking and monitoring access control for tenants, staff and contractors.

9. Enhancing Resident Satisfaction

   Resident satisfaction is a key metric for measuring the effectiveness of electronic access control systems. By providing secure, modern, convenient, and flexible access options like video intercom systems for apartment buildings with app-based control for residents, and the ability for residents to issue their own virtual keys to visitors, these systems help improve the overall resident experience, which is crucial for long-term tenant retention.

10. Cost Savings and Impact on Net Operating Income

    Electronic access control systems also offer long-term financial benefits. They help reduce costs related to security staffing, key management, and potential losses from unauthorized access. In addition, the most modern and feature-rich electronic access control systems typically operate on a cellular or ethernet network. With the rising costs of maintaining older landline-based systems now being passed on to their users, monthly cellular and ethernet costs can be lower than with a landline-based system. Moreover, by enhancing the property’s appeal through improved security features, these systems can also positively impact the property’s Net Operating Income (NOI).

Deploying electronic access control solutions, including advanced systems like CellGate’s Watchman® and OmniPoint®, is not just about enhancing security—it’s about providing a better living experience, improving operational efficiency, and adding value to the property. As technology continues to evolve, these systems are set to become an even more integral part of multi-family property management.