Increasing Your Comdominium Security
Condominium security is more complex than securing one’s private home. A condominium calls for security around every corner. A condominium is a building or complex of buildings containing a number of individually owned apartments or houses as well as other communal areas and facilities. Often this calls for more security than a single standing home as there are many areas in a condominium and one does not always have control over everyone who enters and has access to the property. There may be numerous visitors entering daily and condominium security should be every resident’s responsibility.
Often condominium security is approached by hiring a security agency to monitor who enters and leaves the condominium. Usually there is a security gate and guards on duty but a condominium often has an apartment building, laundry rooms, vehicle parking areas, common areas and recreational areas such as a pool which all require a level of security.
There are a few ways in which you can increase your safety in each of these areas of your condominium:
1) Your Apartment
- Re-key your apartment prior to moving in. Therefore, previous owners will not have access to the building
- Make sure your locks are kept in good condition
- Install a “peephole” in your front door so that you can identify the person before opening
- Have a lock on your door and a security gate to enhance the security of your apartment
- Ensure there is good interior and exterior lighting – this illumination facilitates recognition at a safe distance
- Lock all your doors and windows when leaving the apartment
- Never leave a key hidden outside of your apartment
- Install an alarm system to your apartment
- Never leave valuables near windows where they may tempt by passers
2) The Laundry Room
- Good lighting is essential here as well. This allows increased visibility
- Routes to the laundry room should also be illuminated and bushes should be trimmed along the route
- There should be specific operating hours for the laundry room (this controls for theft and abuse of the facility)
- The laundry room should have keycard access. Therefore only residents with a keycard can gain access to the facility.
3) Parking Areas
- Good illumination is essential in order to ensure visibility and prevent burglars lurking and hiding in the dark
- Parking bay numbers should not correspond with home numbers – therefore burglars cannot keep track of when you are home and when you are out
- Visible valuables should never be left in the car
- Your vehicle should always be locked and the windows should not be left open
- Your keys should not be left in the car
4) Recreational and Common Areas
- Valuables should not be left lying around the communal areas
- You should report strange people loitering around
- Access should be restricted to tenants and invited guests only
- There should be certain hours stipulated for use of these areas
5) General Tips
- Familiarize yourself with your neighbors so that you can recognize them and report suspicious circumstances to the security guards/ local law enforcement agency
- Alert the security guards when you will be away for an extended period of time
- Ensure all your doors and windows can close and lock
These are a few simple ways in which you can enhance your condominium security and ensure that there is security around every corner. If you are interested in hiring a professional security company for your condominium contact us today to receive a free consultation.
