As more people seek apartment living, multifamily property managers become increasingly focused on creating secure, convenient, and efficient environments for their tenants. One of the most important aspects of managing a multifamily property is ensuring that access to the building and individual units is safe, easy to control, and adaptable to modern needs.
Enter modernized access control systems.
Property managers now have access to a wide array of innovative security solutions that make it easier to manage access points, monitor activity, and enhance the overall experience for tenants. In this blog, we will explore the key features and benefits of modern access control systems in multifamily properties.
What is an Access Control System?
Access control systems are the technology used to regulate who can enter specific areas within a building, such as a front door or front gate, common areas and even individual apartments. Modernized systems replace traditional keys or mechanical locks with digital or electronic solutions that can be easily managed, monitored, and customized.
For multifamily properties, access control systems typically involve hardware like access control panels with keypads, card readers, and mobile apps. These systems are designed to grant or deny access based on factors like identity, time of day, and the individual’s access rights. Unlike traditional locks, modern systems allow property managers to remotely control access points and adjust permissions as needed.
Why Modernize Your Access Control?
In the past, managing access in multifamily properties has been cumbersome. Traditional systems require tenants to manage and safeguard physical keys, while managers struggle with the logistics of rekeying locks when keys are lost or tenants move out. Now, modern access control systems offer a wealth of benefits that simplify access, enhance security, and improve the overall rental experience.
1. Improved Security
The most important reason for upgrading to a modern access control system is security. Traditional keys can be easily copied, lost, or stolen, leaving properties vulnerable to unauthorized entry. In contrast, modern systems offer multiple layers of security:
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- Access to Public Entrances: With real-time activity logs and visitor photos, managers can know who’s coming and going from their community and when. Modern access control systems help manage secure entry for guests and deliveries. They can easily facilitate communication between your residents and their visitors, by giving your residents the control to grant access right from their smartphones.
- Smart Locks: These eliminate the need for traditional keys, reducing the risk of lost or stolen keys. Smart locks can be programmed to grant access based on a tenant’s status or time of day.
- Mobile Access: Many modern systems allow tenants to use their smartphones as virtual keys. This eliminates the need for physical cards or fobs, and most mobile systems use encryption for added security.
- Real-Time Monitoring: Property managers can track who enters and exits the building in real time, with logs that can be easily reviewed if an incident occurs. They can also set alerts to notify them of suspicious activities.
2. Enhanced Convenience for Residents
In today’s fast-paced world, convenience is king. Modern access control systems make it easier for residents to access their communities, common areas, and homes. Instead of fumbling with physical keys or waiting for someone to buzz them in, residents can enjoy:
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- Keyless Entry: With mobile apps, access codes, keycards, or Bluetooth-enabled devices, tenants can access their units with a simple tap of their phone or a wave of a card. This also eliminates the hassle of carrying around keys or worrying about losing them.
- Easy Guest Access: Residents can easily grant access to visitors, service personnel, or delivery drivers via built-in intercoms. Many systems allow residents to send temporary access codes via email, text message, or intercom call, giving guests entry for a specific time window.
- Remote Access Control: Property managers can remotely manage access for both tenants and visitors, adjusting permissions and granting temporary access when needed. This is especially useful for managing move-ins, maintenance, or emergency situations.
3. Streamlined Property Management
Modern access control systems also offer significant benefits to property managers, making it easier to handle security and tenant requests. Key features include:
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- Centralized Management: Property managers can access and manage the entire building’s security system from a central platform, allowing for easier updates and access monitoring across all units.
- Remote Unlocking: If tenants forget their keys or lock themselves out, property managers can unlock doors remotely, providing a quick resolution without requiring a physical visit.
- Automated Access Rights: Access can be easily updated or revoked when tenants move in or out. Similarly, if an employee or contractor no longer needs access to the building, their credentials can be quickly deactivated.
- Access Activity Tracking: Modern access control systems provide user-level access control and keep a log of every entry, which traditional keys can’t do. Audit trails can be extremely valuable. You will gain complete visibility and control over your community, with an activity log, unique user codes, and special permissions.
4. Integration with Other Systems
Another benefit of modern access control is its ability to integrate with other building systems, making property management more efficient. For example:
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- Visitor Management: Many modern access systems work in tandem with visitor management platforms, which help track guests and contractors and ensure they are authorized to enter.
- Package Delivery: Integration with package lockers or delivery systems allows tenants to receive packages without the risk of theft.
- Building Automation: Access control systems can be integrated with HVAC, lighting, and security systems for an optimized building experience. For instance, access could trigger certain environmental settings, like adjusting the temperature when a tenant enters.
- Elevator Access: Some access control systems also enable secure, floor-specific access management for residents. Floor groups can be configured to grant or restrict access, enabling remote unlocking for designated floors.
- Parking Management: Modern access control systems can also assist with vehicle access control for enhanced security while providing convenient access via an RFID Reader or License Plate Recognition (LPR) cameras. Vehicles that have RFID tags or a license plate number that is approved in the community database can seamlessly enter and exit through designated access points without manual intervention. The system ensures secure, real-time monitoring of vehicle activity, streamline traffic flow, and maintain a reliable record of vehicle movement.
Features of A Modern Access Control System
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- Access Panels/Readers: Devices like access panels give residents, guests, staff, and vendors a choice of how to enter the community—mobile phone or app, PIN code, card, or fob credentials. This provides flexibility while eliminating physical keys and also extra convenience for your residents.
- Access Control Panels with Built-in Intercoms: For multifamily buildings with entryways or gates, modern intercom systems are essential. They allow residents to remotely communicate with visitors and grant access directly from their phones or other devices.
- Security Cameras: Security cameras strategically positioned throughout multifamily communities are a must for owners/operators. Installing 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 help address safety concerns and provide video surveillance that deters criminal behavior.
- Elevator Controls: Add safeguards and convenience while maintaining your building’s security by streamlining elevator access.
- Smart Locks: Smart locks offer enhanced security by providing keyless entry, remote access control, activity monitoring, and the ability to easily manage resident access. Reducing the need for physical keys also streamlines move-in/move-out, and can increase renter satisfaction.
- Parking Management: Enable your residents with the ability to open gates & garages without having to click a remote, scan a fob, or take their hands off the steering wheel. License plate recognition (LPR) cameras or RFID readers can provide quick and convenient access for authorized vehicles.
- Mobile Access Solutions: Using smartphones as keys has become one of the most popular and convenient methods for multifamily residents. Tenants can download an app that works via Bluetooth, NFC, or QR code scanning to unlock doors.
- Property Manager Dashboards & App: Many access control systems are now cloud-based, which provides greater flexibility and scalability. Cloud-based platforms allow property managers to monitor and manage access from anywhere, even if they’re off-site.
- Integrated Self-Guided Tours: Extend controlled access across your community when prospective renters are taking self-guided tours. Show off your community, while still providing the best renter experience, one that is also secure. Modern access control systems ensure all prospective renters pass stringent identification and location protocols before touring on their own.
The Future of Access Control in Multifamily Properties
As technology continues to evolve, we can expect even more innovations in access control for multifamily properties. The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning will likely enable even smarter security systems that can predict and respond to security threats before they happen. In addition, we might see more widespread use of integrated, fully automated building systems that can manage not only access, but lighting, temperature, and energy efficiency—all from a single interface.
Conclusion
Modernized access control systems offer significant advantages to both property managers and tenants in multifamily rental properties. With better security, improved convenience, and more streamlined management, these systems are transforming how we think about building access. Whether you’re a property manager looking to increase security, or a tenant looking for more convenient access to your home, modern access control systems are the key to a safer, more efficient future for multifamily living.
By adopting these systems, multifamily properties can enhance their reputation, improve tenant satisfaction, and increase overall security.
Are you ready to modernize your community? Let Rently help! Schedule a free consultation demo today.
