Residential & Apartment Building Access Control Systems
Upgrade to a contemporary access control system for condo and multifamily apartment buildings. Secure your spaces with options including mobile, gate entry, fob, and card access.
Currently, about 35% of U.S. residents live in rented housing, and the demand for apartments and multi-tenant housing is rising, particularly in densely populated cities. Besides location, space, and amenities, security is a top priority for tenants. However, balancing convenience and safety can be challenging for property owners.
Modern property managers and residential building owners have numerous access control products and solutions to choose from when designing and implementing reliable multifamily security systems. The objective is to ensure a safe environment for tenants with access control systems that are convenient, reliable, and secure.
From touchless entry and remote management to visitor access and broader security integrations, this guide will help condo, apartment complex, and multi-tenant property owners understand how to select effective residential access control systems for enhanced convenience and security.
What is a Multifamily Apartment Access Control System?
While traditional apartments often rely on mechanical locks and keys, modern access control systems use technology to ensure the safety of residents and property. Apartment access control refers to a system of automated devices that manage property access for tenants, staff, and guests using a combination of software and hardware. These systems come in various styles and configurations but all aim to simplify building access and enhance on-site security.
In these systems, access control readers are installed to secure main entrances, exits, and communal facilities. Some systems extend this technology to individual residential units, requiring approved credentials to unlock doors across the property.
How Does Multifamily Access Control Work?
Typically, apartment complex and multifamily door entry systems consist of four main components designed to grant residents access to communal areas and sometimes their own units, while preventing intruders from accessing private locations. By implementing these systems, tenants can control their own access, and security staff can monitor the premises more easily.
Residents scan credentials at each door of the controlled access building. The system authorizes the user’s information in a central database and triggers an electronic response to unlock the door if approved. Common user credentials include:
- Key cards
- Portable fobs
- PINs or passcodes
- App-based digital keys
Configurations for access control systems vary depending on the building’s size, number of residents, and security needs. These systems often limit access to the front doors so only residents and staff can enter. Modern buildings with amenities like pools, fitness centers, and mailrooms also require secure access, with readers installed at these entry points. Additional secured areas may include parking garages, elevators, server rooms, and equipment areas.
A final consideration is whether to include individual units in the same configuration. Installing individual readers at each apartment door can be costly, so many property owners use wireless locks for apartment access control. Wireless locks operate on battery power, offering a more secure and easier-to-manage alternative to traditional keys.
Types of Access Control Systems for Apartments and Condo Buildings
Property managers and security teams must assess tenants’ needs and property requirements to develop an effective access control system. Popular choices include:
- Cloud-based or On-Premise Systems: On-premise systems require physical space for data servers and offer full control to property staff. Cloud-based systems store data in virtual cloud storage, managed by hosting companies, allowing staff to grant access and manage credentials remotely.
- Keypad Controlled Access: Simple and inexpensive, keypad readers secure both exterior and interior doors using PIN codes. However, the risk of unauthorized access through guessed or stolen PINs is high.
- Proximity Card Systems: Using RFID or NFC technology, these systems issue key cards or fobs with unique credentials. Easy to manage and monitor, they are a popular choice but can be compromised if cards or fobs are lost or misused.
- Mobile Controlled Access: Mobile access systems send credentials to smartphones, allowing various ways to gain access. These systems are convenient, eliminate the need for physical keys, and offer features like multi-factor authentication and in-app integrations.
- Multifamily Access Control Intercoms: Modern intercoms combine communication with access control, enabling residents to communicate with visitors and unlock doors from their smartphones.
Benefits of Residential Apartment Access Control Systems
- Reduce Crime: Encrypted credentials and electronic locks deter potential intruders.
- Convenient Resident Access: Touchless systems allow residents to move freely without multiple physical keys.
- Improved Visitor Management: Managed systems enable residents to issue temporary credentials to guests and delivery personnel.
- Credential Monitoring and Access Logs: Time- and date-stamped logs of access events help improve incident response times.
- Wider Security Integrations: Integrations with surveillance cameras, motion sensors, and alarms enhance overall security.
Why Invest in Smart Access Control Systems? Implementing residential access control systems provides tenants with convenient and secure building access, making properties more desirable. When choosing a system, property owners and security teams must consider residents’ needs and existing security infrastructure. A well-designed system, taking future expansions into account, can create a safer and more intuitive living environment.