After renters size up the price of a unit, their next thought is simple: Will I feel safe here? And they're not kidding around — "66% of renters won't even consider a property if the security feels sketchy."
For property managers, that means security isn't just a line item — it's a make-or-break factor in occupancy and reputation. And let's be clear: securing multifamily properties is no small feat. Shared access points, heavy foot traffic, constant deliveries, and rising incidents mean old-school, piecemeal security just won't cut it. The modern answer? A unified multifamily security strategy that ties everything together.
Once you've built the walls, you need sharp eyes and ears. Cameras, alarms, and access control sensors form the second line of defense. High-res cameras in lobbies, garages, elevators, and hallways keep a crisp record of what really went down. Forced-door or propped-door alerts get instant verification with nearby camera footage — staff can tell if it's a resident being forgetful or a real breach. Cloud-based monitoring lets staff verify alerts or live-stream footage straight from their phone, cutting false alarms and wasted dispatches.
When you unify cloud access control and cloud video surveillance, efficiency skyrockets. Every swipe, tap, or PIN entry at a door is automatically linked to a matching video clip — credential, place, and time all synced. Want to know who slipped into the pool after hours? Search "pool entries after 9 p.m." and jump straight to the clips. No more scrubbing through hours of tape.
High-security locks, turnstiles, access-controlled elevators — these are your guardrails. But when tied into a unified system, the magic happens: a forced door instantly triggers an alarm and pulls up the exact video. Your team doesn't just get a beep — they get the full picture.
When emergencies hit, speed is everything. A unified security platform gives your staff instant alerts and matching video clips on mobile. One person can lock shared entry points, verify what's happening, and send video evidence to law enforcement within seconds. This isn't reaction — it's rapid resolution.
For larger properties or multi-site portfolios, on-site staff can't be everywhere. That's where central monitoring and security-as-a-service providers add serious value. With unified cloud systems, they get one clean timeline of events across properties. A forced-door alarm at one site? Operators instantly pull the video, lock down entries, and alert the right authorities.
Here's where the system goes from powerful to unstoppable. By syncing your security platform directly with your core property management software — think Yardi, RealPage, or Entrata — the resident's security identity becomes tied to the master rent roll. The moment a lease is signed, credentials are issued automatically across every access point. And when a lease expires? Access is revoked everywhere instantly, from the front gate to the gym to the package room. No more "forgotten" badges floating around, no lag between move-out and deactivation.
Security is now a top priority for renters. One misstep, one bad incident, and your occupancy and reputation take a hit. The only way forward is unified security — cloud access control plus cloud video — delivered by a partner who knows multifamily inside out. Kastle has decades of experience and the tech to back it up.