Apartment gate security and entry management is the process of controlling who enters an apartment community. Primarily, these solutions prevent unauthorized entry – keeping communities safe and their residents happy. But the benefits don’t stop there. Gate security systems minimize crime, reduce tenant turnover, and increase property value. As a result, for many property managers and landlords investing in modern gate access control and security has helped them save time and money, annually.
In this guide, we’ll explore the benefits of gate access control, the important components you’ll need, how much gate security systems cost, and more.
In this Guide
- What is Apartment Gate Security?
- What’s a Gate Security System?
- What are the Benefits?
- Bad Security = The Waste
- Types of Apartment Gate Security
- Components
- Pricing and Contracts
What is Apartment Gate Security and Entry Management?
Apartment gate security and entry management is like the velvet rope at a VIP club – except the “club” is your apartment complex, and the goal is keeping out package thieves, random solicitors, and that one guy who always tries to tailgate in. It’s the invisible bouncer that decides who gets access, tracks who’s coming and going, and ensures your residents feel like they’re living somewhere exclusive…without needing a wristband.
Apartment gate systems help monitor foot traffic and protect common areas such as:
- Parking lots
- Lobbies
- Mailrooms
- Elevators
- Patios
- Fitness rooms
- Pools
Entry management may be as simple as a single security agent or as complex as installing a commercial gate security system.
What’s a Gate Security System?
Some apartment managers will augment their in-person security with automated security technology. One of these technologies is a gate security system.
A gate security system is a combination of gates, locks, access control solutions, and credentials (i.e., key cards, keypads, etc.). These solutions can be customized with AI-integrated visitor management, video surveillance cameras, intercoms, and more.
In today’s environment, landlords and apartment management teams can select from many different technologies to find the perfect fit for their security needs. We’ll explore these later, but for now, let’s look at the benefits of apartment gate security systems.
What are the Benefits of Gate Security Systems?
Apartment security matters. It’s not only important for your tenants, but it can negatively or positively impact your bottom line. How? We’re glad you asked.
| Benefits of Apartment Gate Security and Entry Management | Tenant Benefits | Management Benefits |
| Privacy | ✓ | |
| Tenant Satisfaction | ✓ | ✓ |
| Resident Safety | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reputation | | ✓ |
| Crime Prevention | ✓ | ✓ |
| Reduced Tenant Turnover | | ✓ |
| Increased Property Value | ✓ *for owners | ✓ |
Better Resident Safety
Apartment safety is a major consideration for renters and owners. In a survey of 1,000 tenants, 71% wanted their apartment management teams to be more proactive when addressing apartment security. Even more alarming, sixty percent said they did not feel completely safe in their homes.
This is a huge problem. When tenants feel unsafe, lease renewals drop and complaints rise. Fewer renewed leases means higher resident turnover. Higher turnover means you’ll be spending more time and money searching for new tenants.
Crime Prevention
Preventing crime is a significant benefit of implementing a modern gate security solution. Gated communities reduce burglaries by as much as 33%. This becomes particularly important when considering that renters are nearly twice as likely as homeowners to experience a burglary.
According to Brinks, the U.S. averaged 117.3 burglaries per 100,000 households, with multifamily properties often presenting greater risk. Lower-level units were especially vulnerable because of foot traffic and shared access.
Apartment gate security solutions reduce crime by mitigating unwanted foot traffic. By deploying gate access control or entry management system, only residents and their guests will be granted access to the community. Additionally, crime like auto theft, vandalism, and property crime can be deterred.
Get an in-depth look at the latest technology in residential and commercial security, and discover how simple SafeTouch makes installing your next system.
Tenant Satisfaction
Nobody wants to deal with unsatisfied customers. If tenants feel unsafe in their homes, chances are you’re going to have to spend time managing complaints, handling turnover, and addressing negative reviews. So why not skip the hassle?
Tenant satisfaction hinges on a sense of security. When residents feel protected, they’re more likely to renew leases, recommend the property, and treat it with care. People who don’t feel safe at home, often neglect their living environment. This can lead to damaged apartments and more resident turnover. A secure environment doesn’t just protect your tenants, it protects your reputation and bottom line.
Increased Property Value
Safe neighborhoods give people a sense of security and comfort. They enable individuals and families to live optimal lives without the stress of crime. As a result, tenants will pay top price to live in apartments that prioritize safety and up-to-date security, increasing the property value for landlords and management companies
How Do Gate Security Systems Increase Property Value?
- More Secure– Tenants feel more secure and will be less likely to leave
- Boost Demand– More demand means your apartments always stay full
- Better Reputation– Grow your business by maintaining a good reputation
Apartment communities with up-to-date gate security solutions have higher occupancy rates. So management spends less on maintenance and advertising while, at the same time, raising the property value.
Bad Security = Waste
You get home from work, grab a drink from the fridge, and kick back on the couch for a relaxing night. But just as you crack open your beverage, it starts raining IN YOUR LIVING ROOM! You look up. Your ceiling is gone. You hear the fridge door open. Your neighbor, Bill, has sauntered into your home. He’s now rummaging through your fridge like a racoon at an overflowing dumpster. It’s then you see your walls have disappeared. So much for the relaxing evening.
An apartment without gate security is like a home without walls and a roof – anything can get in, at any time. Tenant privacy and safety get compromised, theft and vandalism occur, and the next thing you know, you’re out a tenant. Neglecting apartment security leads to poor tenant satisfaction and higher tenant turnover. Do you like spending time and money? Because you’re about to be forking out a lot.
Look at All the Waste!
Landlords and management companies who neglect apartment security pay more and spend more time.
- Higher tenant turnover- You’ll spend more time finding new tenants, filling out paperwork, and updating your apartments
- Background and credit checks- New tenants mean more background and credit checks.
- Repairs and cleaning– Stained carpet? Damaged blinds? You’ll spend more money paying for frequent repairs and cleaning with high renter turnover.
- Advertising– Landlords and apartment management must market and advertise more often, when trying to attract new tenants.
- Empty Apartments– Empty apartments are like stores with empty shelves – they’re great for collecting dust, terrible for your bottom line.
Types of Gate Access Control for Communities
“Ok, so I’m convinced gate access control is important. But where do I begin? How do you build the system that’s right for me?”
Several types of systems exist and determining the best choice for your apartment complex can be difficult. It can be especially helpful to consult an industry expert before beginning your shopping journey.
Below are a few popular styles of gate access control systems. These benefits and drawbacks will help you make an informed purchase.
RFID access gate systems
These use RFID signals (radio frequency identification) to verify credentials. With these access control systems, a tenant gains access using a keycard or digital credential on their smartphone. For example, when your tenant, Bob, arrives at the closed gate, he can gain access by showing the digital ID stored on his smartphone. Once he scans his ID at the nearby credential reader, the system will verify his permissions and the gate will open.
An added benefit of RFID access control is that your tenants may be able to store their keys digitally, on their phones. It adds convenience and a little bit of “cool” to the entry process. (Not to mention that it makes your facility feel more modern.)
Pros: Convenient, greater security than metal keys, Bluetooth and NFC options, remote distribution to tenants
Cons: Licenses are often based on the number of users. If you exceed the number of users, then you’ll be paying a higher premium
Keypad Gate Security Systems
Gate entry keypads are one of the most popular, and budget-friendly, gate access control systems available. They’re simple, cost-effective, and easy to install. Visitors and tenants simply punch in a passcode and voilà, access granted! But there’s a catch: if everyone shares the same PIN, your security starts to look more like a suggestion than a safeguard.
Using a keypad gate access system with a single shared code is a bit like handing out one key to the entire building. Sure, it’s convenient, but it also means you have no idea who’s coming and going. Want to tighten security? You could assign each user a unique PIN.
So while gate entry keypads are a solid start, they work best when combined with smarter access control strategies—especially for large apartment complexes or sprawling gated communities.
Pros: Fairly secure, tenants don’t have to carry keys
Cons: Managing hundreds of passcodes can be cumbersome and a security risk, a single code may not provide sufficient security
Video Intercom Systems
Intercom security never kept Kramer out of Jerry’s apartment on Seinfeld. Luckily, residential intercom systems have come a long way since the 1990s.
Video intercom systems provide a way to visually verify a guest and remotely let them through the gate. When a visitor pulls up to the apartment gate, they can buzz in using the intercom to call their host. It’s kind of like saying, “Hey, I’m downstairs!” If you’ve purchased a video intercom system, the host will be able to visually verify who’s outside of the gate. Cloud-based access control makes the process even easier by empowering tenants and property management with the ability to remotely open the gate.
Pros: Two-way communication, video surveillance features, unlock the gate remotely
Cons: With audio-only intercoms, there is no way to verify who else may be entering the complex
Telephone Entry Systems
Telephone entry systems have long been the norm in small to medium-sized gated communities. When a visitor rolls up to the gate, they simply scroll through a directory of apartment addresses until they find the host’s. Then, they tap the corresponding key and the resident’s phone number is dialed. When the resident answers their phone, they can verify the visitor and buzz them in.
Pros: Two-way voice communication, between visitor and resident, unlock the game remotely, familiar to most people
Cons: No visual confirmation, not ideal for high security environments
As you can see, many choices exist when it comes to gate entry systems. Believe it or not, this isn’t even an exhaustive list! So make sure you contact one of SafeTouch’s industry experts to discover all your options.
Building Your Gate Security System: The Components
After selecting your gate security system, you’ll have many customization options. Therefore, it’s important to understand your specific short- and long-term goals.
You can choose from many different security technologies including:
- Access control systems
- Surveillance cameras
- Video management systems
- Alarms and sensors
Let’s check out these components in a bit more detail.
Surveillance Cameras
Surveillance cameras are perhaps the most important additional component of a highly secure apartment gate entry system. There are many security camera manufacturers, and of course, each claims their cameras have the “most unprecedented” features.
They can be cloud-based or PoE (Power over Ethernet), include AI-enhanced facial recognition or just simply record video, integrate with access control or have standalone VMS software. The choices may seem endless, so be prepared to ask questions.
In general, it’s a good idea to consider installing surveillance cameras because they:
- Deter crime
- Provide evidence if a crime occurs
- Make monitoring parking lots, common areas, and entrances easier
These advantages can greatly improve the surveillance infrastructure. Integration of modern access control software with live video monitoring can enhance security surveillance, allowing for more comprehensive coverage. Providers like SafeTouch offer high-definition video cameras, giving residents peace of mind.
Access Control and Intercom Systems
As mentioned earlier, intercom systems make it easy to remotely greet visitors, delivery people, and more. Video intercoms allow tenants to visual verify anybody requesting access – right from their smartphone.
Property managers also benefit from an API-integrated intercom system. If integrated with a cloud-based access control, property teams can get automatic alerts when a gate alarm occurs, monitor entrances from afar, and maintain access logs.
These systems play a crucial role in managing visitor entry and ensuring the safety of residents.
Additionally, this integration may allow you to grant virtual mobile keys to visitors. Some companies even allow you to set temporary keys that automatically expire after a set time period.
Sensors and Alarms for Apartment Security
While keypads and intercoms manage who gets in, sensors and alarms handle the “what ifs.” For instance, if someone tries to tailgate, force open a gate, or sneak in after hours, sensors alert your team. Motion detectors, magnetic gate sensors, and tamper alarms provide real-time alerts to property managers or security teams when something suspicious happens.
Not only do these systems help deter unauthorized access, but they also give residents peace of mind and help maintain the integrity of the gate access control system. In short, they turn a passive gate into an active line of defense.
Pricing and Contracts
It’s essential to consider pricing and contract terms when choosing a security provider. Providers of apartment gate security solutions should ensure pricing and contract terms are transparent. Make sure you find a trustworthy security team that cares about more than making a sale. Pricing and contract terms vary tremendously depending on the equipment you need and whether you’re investing in a cloud-based, on-premises, or hybrid system.
SafeTouch offers affordable equipment and expert installation. Considering the pricing and contract terms can help you find a security solution that fits your budget while still providing the level of security you need.
Smart security. Satisfied residents. Stronger ROI.
What’s better than a new gate security system? One that is expertly installed and monitored 24/7 by in-house security agents who respond in 45 seconds or less, guaranteed.
With over 30 years of experience, SafeTouch will help you confidently purchase, install, and monitor your apartment security. Our custom systems have wireless and wired options – perfect for any residential community setup imaginable. We will integrate your system with HD surveillance cameras, alarms, sensors, and more.
Ready to learn more about apartment and community security? Contact a SafeTouch expert today!
FAQ
Apartment gate security systems provide enhanced safety, prevent crime, and increase property value for residents.
Gate access control systems include keypad entry, RFID card access, and smartphone-based access control systems, offering a range of options for controlling access to your property.
Apartment gate security requires surveillance cameras, intercom systems, and access control software for effective protection of the premises.
To customize your apartment gate security solution, assess your property’s requirements, integrate with existing security systems, and ensure ongoing maintenance and support for a comprehensive solution.
When choosing a security provider, consider their experience, expertise, customer reviews, testimonials, and transparent pricing and contract terms. These factors can help you make an informed decision