As a father, I would do anything to make sure my children are safe. But I know there’s a limit to what I can do. One day, each of my children will grow up and start lives of their own, and I can only hope that wherever they move will be safe and secure so I won’t have to lose sleep at night.
Luckily, we live in a day and age when residential security has become an impressive industry. That’s good news for fathers like me and important news for multifamily owners like you. My oldest daughter wants to move to Los Angeles when it comes time to fly the coop, and I can tell you that unless the apartment building she chooses takes security seriously, she won’t be moving in – no matter how many awesome amenities they’re offering.
It’s Time to Make Security a Priority
Los Angeles might be the City of Angels, but it has more than its fair share of sinners. Anyone who’s spent significant time in LA knows that it’s a city of contradictions. For instance, you can walk by the historic Orpheum Theatre and the increasingly popular Broad Museum… and right into Skid Row, which is known for its vicious crime.
Back in 2014, the violent crime index for LA was rated at 277.3, which is much higher than the national average of 202.6. It’s easy to get caught up in the Hollywood magic, but numbers like this are a stark reminder that big-city living can be dangerous.
Robbery is a real threat to everyone in LA. Statistics show that renters are just as likely to get robbed as homeowners and buildings without security systems are 300% more likely to get hit. As a property owner, adding top-of-the-line security features to your building will set you apart from the pack so you can attract a bigger slice of the potential tenant pool. And if you prove that you can keep your building safe, renters are more likely to stick around long-term rather than setting out for more secure quarters.
Surveillance Upgrades
Today’s technology allows for properties to be monitored by video cameras and motion detectors – even in the dark! – which can serve as a huge crime deterrent. The sight of cameras sends a strong message to potential robbers and offers a sense of security to residents who know that the complex is under watch. And with cloud technology getting better every day, it’s becoming easier and easier for building managers to keep tabs on the footage, spot any suspicious activity, and store incoming footage.
If something does happen, cameras and audio will also be instrumental in gathering evidence and can help with legal scenarios when eyewitnesses may have forgotten certain details of specific events. One caveat: cameras should only be installed at entrances and in other public spaces to avoid privacy concerns.
Go Keyless
Why risk someone picking or forcing your tenant’s lock when you don’t have to? It’s the 21st century and we’ve come a long way from the traditional lock and key. Now there’s an entire world of touchscreen interface systems, electronic cards, and key fobs.
Aside from the obvious advantage of convenience, keyless door entries such as key fobs or touchscreen interfaces are much harder to bypass than traditional knob locks and lever handle locks. In the case of knob locks, the lock is actually located inside the knob itself instead of the door, meaning any resourceful crook with a hammer or a pair of pliers can bypass the lock entirely. Lever handle locks are similarly easy to force if enough pressure is applied to the handle.
With an electronic system, not only will break-ins be less likely, there will also be a record of every entry and exit. But maybe most importantly, key fobs have alert buttons so your tenants can notify police in the event of an emergency, such as being followed into the building by a suspicious person.
Security Upgrades Can Boost Your Bottom Line
At the end of the day, all of this has to offer a good ROI, right? Well, rest assured that adding powerful security systems will pay off in the long run:.
- You’ll be able to provide your renters with peace of mind, knowing their homes are secured 24/7. This means occupancy should go up and turnover should decrease.
- Curb appeal will get a boost because not only will your equipment look great, it will also deter those with malicious intent. Security features also prove to potential renters that it’s a tenant-centric property.
- You can raise rents because state-of-the-art security is an amenity that renters are willing to pay extra for.
- Strong security will protect you from costly potential lawsuits that might stem from a break-in or other security breach.
How REIG Can Help
Yes, we’re the most trusted name in property renovation in Southern California – but I’m also a father who understands the need to provide a safe place for people to live. That’s why we’re ready to help you take your multifamily to the next level with next-generation security upgrades. We can manage the project from start to finish – from helping you create a plan to the final installation – so you can trust we’ll finish on time and on budget. We have over 120 years of experience in this business and we’re ready to put that experience to work for you. So call us today and let’s start this project together!