According to the National Crime Prevention Council, apartments are 85% more likely to be burglarized than single-family homes. Multifamily rental property owners and operators must focus on building safer communities – and Rently can help!
Multifamily security is complex. It involves elements of physical on-site security, resident security, package security, cybersecurity, and vehicle security. Multifamily property owners can address safety concerns with a multipronged approach including manual and technological solutions.
One of the biggest challenges faced at apartment building is that residents and their visitors come and go. This makes it hard for property managers to know and recognize every single person moving about their communities. So how do property managers determine a suspicious person or identify criminal activity in-progress?
The answer is a video surveillance system. This system should be connected to an access control solution and smart home devices within their vacant units.
In this blog, we outline five easy steps to help multifamily owners and operators build safer communities with the use of security cameras.
Step 1: Deploy Video Surveillance
Security cameras strategically positioned throughout multifamily communities are a must for owners/operators. They should also post public-facing signs indicating the area is under video surveillance, and “No Trespassing” signage to further deter criminal behavior.
To strengthen security, Rently suggests installing security cameras throughout rental communities. Operators should install cameras at front entrances and exits, foyers, walk-paths, hallways/corridors, elevators, parking areas, mail-rooms/package delivery areas, recreational areas, laundry rooms, and storage areas.
Benefits of security cameras:
- Crime Deterrence: Video surveillance has proven to deter crime, making burglars think twice.
- Evidence Collection: In the unfortunate event of a crime or lease violation, video footage is priceless. It also helps law enforcement with valuable leads.
- Attracting Residents: Modernized security solutions makes properties more appealing to potential renters.
- Resident Satisfaction: Residents feel safer knowing video surveillance is taking place in common hallways, parking lots, and shared facilities.
- Resident Behavior Monitoring: Residents tend to adhere to property rules more conscientiously when they know video surveillance is being used.
- Maintenance/Hazard Monitoring: The use of cameras helps property management keep common areas well-mead nd free from hazards. It also helps reduce graffiti and mis-use of common areas.
- Vehicle Safety: Cameras in parking lots deter car thefts and break-ins. They also make your residents feel safer, especially late at night.
- Dispute Resolution: In case of disagreements or claims, video surveillance provides unbiased evidence.
- Maintain Compliance: Security cameras in common areas can help property managers ensure their properties adhere to their local safety and security regulations.
Step 2: Picking the Most Useful Security Cameras
Rently has partnered with Uniview, a leading global manufacturer of IP video surveillance equipment, to bring our customers security cameras that are seamlessly interconnected to Rently Solutions, making it easier for our customers to use just one platform to monitor and control their communities.
With Rently, customers are able to build safer communities with security cameras that can connect directly to their Rently access control and smart home solution.
Rently’s Uniview line of security cameras seamlessly integrate with the access control functionality in the Smart Home Manager Portal. For access entry points protected by Rently’s Access Panel with intercom, property managers or security personnel can view video playback directly from the property’s Activity Log.
Here’s an example of how it works: Rently’s Access Panel records an entry at 4:10 PM at the front gate. The property manager simply clicks on the “video playback” icon for that entry activity to view the video clip associated with that entry event right from their Rently portal.
Most competitive security monitoring solutions require you to open an additional software platform, do a search to find the right camera, then do another search to find the right time stamped video. It’s a process – making it a bit cumbersome to find the right video clip associated with each entry activity.
Step 3: Protecting Your Community with Perimeter Security Cameras
Rently offers Uniview’s 8MP ColorHunter turret Camera, an indoor/outdoor perimeter camera that captures full color images, even at night. Turret cameras are often called eyeball cameras as they use a ball and socket design to face the camera in any direction at installation.
It offers intelligent perimeter protection, including cross line, intrusion, enter area, leave area detection and ‘Smart Intrusion’ prevention which reduces false alarms. a network video recorder (NVR) and hard drive is required for audio and video recording.
Rently Uniview ColorHunter Camera vs. Competitive Cameras
Perimeter Camera Features
- 4k HD Intelligent ColorHunter Fixed Eyeball Network Camera
- Uniview model #: IPC3638SE-ADF28KWLI0
- High quality image with 8MP, 1/1.8″CMOS sensor
- 8MP (3840*2160)@ 30(AI off)/25fps; 5.3MP (3072*1728)@ 30/25fps; 3.6MP (2560*1440) @30/25fps; 2MP (1920*1080) @30/25fps; 720P (1280*720), Max 30/25fps;
- Ultra 265, H.265, H.264, MJPEG
- ColorHunter technology ensures 24-hour recording of full-color images, even at night
- Smart intrusion prevention, include cross line, intrusion, enter area, leave area detection
- Based on target classification, smart intrusion prevention significantly reduces false alarms caused by leaves, birds and lights, as it accurately focuses on humans, vehicles and non-motorized vehicles
- Intelligent People Flow Counting and Crowd Density Monitoring
- F1.0 Super aperture
- 120dB true WDR technology enables clear image in strong light scene
- Support 9:16 corridor Mode
- Alarm:1 in/1 out, Audio: 1 in/1 out
- Supports 256GB micro SD card
- IK10 vandal resistant and IP67 protection
- Dimensions: 5.1” D x 4.3” H
- Weight: 1.4 lbs
- Certifications: CE, FCC, UL, RoHS, WEEE
Step 4: Easily Manage Vehicle Access with License Plate Recognition Cameras
License Plate Recognition cameras, often referred to as LPR cameras, offer an unprecedented level of surveillance and access control capabilities. This type of camera reads and stores data from license plates to provide seamless monitoring and access control over vehicular movement. LPR cameras are revolutionizing apartment vehicle access control.
Uniview’s LPR camera can read an approaching or exiting vehicle’s license plate, check to see if that plate number is listed as a valid resident and automatically open a gate providing the ultimate “ease of use” experience for your renters, and one that is secure. If the license plate is not on the “Approved Residents List” that vehicle will not be able to enter the secured parking area (i.e. the vehicle gate will not open).
A Rently solution can also enhance visitor management. Visitors and delivery personnel can gain access by utilizing the intercom functionality directly from Rently’s access control panel located at the gate by scanning the QR-code to connect via a “FaceTime-like” call experience with their selected resident to request access. Residents are able to answer these calls and open the gate or decline the request right from their mobile device.
LPR cameras also help apartments complexes increase security and enhance public safety as information collected can be used as evidence in criminal investigations. Compared to traditional long range RFID reader vehicle access control solutions, Rently’s LPR camera is a much more cost effective option, about 50% less in cost and installation fees.
Uniview’s LPR camera can help communities better manage vehicle entry and exits. Uniview’s intelligent lighting camera delivers unmatched image quality, making license plate recognition (LPR) more accurate than ever and stores all plates in a database.
This camera supports LPR (license plate recognition), LPD (license plate detection), and auto tracking functions.
License Plate Camera Features:
- Uniview Model #: PKC2640@Z28-IR-P Short range (Long range available upon request)
- Sensor: 1/1.8” 4MP CMOS, Focal length: 2.8 to 12mm, motorized zoom
- Resolution: Mainstream: 2688*1520, 1080P (default), 720P, D1
- Video compression: H.264 (default), H.265
- ROI: Supports up to 8 regions
- Video OSD: Supports 8 overlay areas and allows contents including date, time, date&time, zoom ratio, custom contents
- Image OSD: Supports 8 overlay areas and allows contents including time, license plate number, device ID, camera ID, allow list, image authentication ID, custom contents (3 items), location
- Application scenario: Vehicle speed ≤80km/h Supports simultaneous application to road and entry/exit scenes without switching
- List configuration: Supports allow list and block list configuration, each list allows 20,000 items; supports import, export, add, and delete operations
- Audio interface: 1 × audio input, 1 × audio output
- Power supply: DC12V + 25% – 10% Max. power consumption: 20W Supports PoE
- Operating environment: -40°C to 60°C, ≤90% RH
- Ingress protection: IP67 & IK10
- Power supply: DC12V + 25% – 10% Max. power consumption: 20W Supports PoE (802.3at, class 4)
- Dimensions (L×W×H): 16” x 5” x 5.1”
- Weight: 4.6 lbs
- Certifications: CE, FCC, UL, RoHS, WEEE
Step 5: Protect Entrance Areas/Gates with Security Cameras and Access Panels for Stronger Security and Enhanced Visitor Management
Rently’s newest dual-purpose device, Access Panel with Intercom is a secure access control solution with a built-in intercom for stronger security and enhanced visitor management at your community entrances. Or you can use it as a secure access control panel/reader at your common area amenities and elevators.
Along with perimeter cameras to provide video surveillance across the complex and LPR cameras at vehicle entrances, adding a controlled access solution to front gates and common areas enables your site teams to easily monitor and mange everything remotely, providing flexibility and a safer community for all. Your residents are able to renter their community through strategically placed access panels giving them the option to enter via mobile, PIN code, or fob credentials.
For vehicle access entry points protected by both Rently’s LPR cameras and Access Panel with Intercom, property managers or security personnel can view the security camera video playback directly from the Property’s Activity Log.
Rently’s Access Panel with Intercom is the ultimate multifunctional access control solution for shared spaces. It combines an E-Ink access control panel, credential reader/keypad, QR-code interaction for intercom communication, and a contact sensor—all with no hub required or additional access controller for lower installation cost.
Access Panel with Intercom Features:
-
- Access via code, app, or fob
- Connect with Wi-Fi, cellular, or Ethernet
- Power-efficient, dynamic E-Ink display
- Simple setup—no hub required
- One/two-way video calling
- Define business hours restrictions and create a customized access schedule
- Activate passage mode to disable auto-lock during specific times
- Easily manage reservations for selected amenities
- Residents can reserve common areas directly from the smart home app
- Dimensions: 8.39″ x 4.13″ x 1.22″ (213 x 105 x 31mm)
- Weight: 1.86 lbs
- Codes & Fob Capacity: 2,000
- Power input: 12-24VDC or 12-24VAC, 24W min
- Certifications: UL294; IP65 for indoor or outdoor use
By implementing Rently’s access control at your communities, your residents can control their own access, and your security or leasing staff are able to keep track of access activity more easily.
Your community gains:
- Stronger security
- More convenient, modernized access
- Simpler access management
- Access entry data insights
- Reduction in physical key cost
- Ability to offer amenity reservations as a resident option
One Complete Security Solution from Rently
Rently is the leader in property touring and smart home technology. We provide leasing automation solutions to help property managers lease faster, streamline operations, and increase NOI—with one login for one platform.
Whether you’re seeking to increase security, enhance your visitor management experience, reduce operating costs, or increase rental revenue, Rently has a tailored solution for you.
Want to learn more about Rently, schedule a quick 15-minute intro call with a Rently representative today!
