How to Assess the Security Risks of an Apartment Building
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Some people feel property ownership is an integral part of the American Dream, while others are staunch advocates for the flexibility and convenience that comes along with renting.
But one thing that apartment dwellers and home buyers have in common, though, is an interest in determining the security risks of a property before moving in. Here’s what to consider before you sign on the dotted line:
Apartment Security Checklist
How secure is the parking area? Dedicated parking for the apartment complex is an advantage, but if an intruder can simply waltz in on foot, it’s not very secure parking. Underground parking may be better, but the same rule applies. And, if you have to walk through an underground garage before getting to an elevator or stairwell, you might ask whether there is a security guard to help ensure your safety.
How long of a walk is it from the parking area to the front door? And what are the potential threats along the way? It’s a good idea to check during the day and at night, as you might discover things that escaped your notice the first time. Look for darkened walkways or blind spots, dense shrubbery or courtyards that are accessible to the public. (Trespassers are curiously undeterred by “no trespassing” signs.)
How far into the building can you get without a key? If the lobby has a security door that can only be entered with a key or pass code, that’s a good thing. On the other hand, if it’s easy to catch the door as someone else leaves, a pass code is worthless. Also, find out if there is a guard on duty and if security cameras are installed (real ones, not empty boxes with blinking lights!). With security cameras becoming more affordable, there is no excuse for an apartment building not to have them—at the very minimum—in the lobby.
Is the apartment entry a steel door with a deadbolt? Wood doors with a quaint, old-fashioned chain and a button-lock on the knob are no match for a determined crook. Ask the landlord whether the locks have been changed and request to see a receipt for it, if possible.
Can window latches – particularly on first-floor apartments – be defeated using the ‘ole credit card trick? If there is a balcony, can it be accessed from the ground by shimmying up the railing or from another neighbor’s balcony? This is why sliding glass doors should have high quality locking mechanisms.
Look for fire alarms and sprinklers. New apartment buildings are required to have them, but if you’re considering an old building, make sure these items have been updated. A security alarm system is advantageous, but if there isn’t one, ask the landlord what the rules are for installing one for your own apartment.
Is the storage facility or garage secure? Or, is it accessible by the next tenant over? Also, carefully peruse amenities such as laundry areas, workout rooms and the swimming pool to ensure they don’t allow access to outsiders.
Who can see into your apartment? Look out the windows of the same unit you’re considering and determine who can see into your apartment (including other units within the complex) and who can monitor the property from outside. Remember that apartment security concerns include other residents, as well as outsiders. And it goes without saying that you should always secure your personal belongings.
It may sound strange, but when assessing your apartment, you should try putting yourself in the mindset of a criminal. Ask yourself, “If I was a (burglar, mugger, predator, peeping tom, etc.), how would I take action?”
It may feel silly initially, but you’ll quickly understand: The point of considering the security risks of an apartment is not to indulge in paranoia, but to sleep well at night, knowing you’ve already put your safety first.
Frank Rivera is the director of digital marketing for ADT Security Systems.
You might also like:
- 5 Social Media Strategies to Deter Burglary, Theft
- Disaster Preparedness Tips for Renters
- 5 Things to Know About a Neighborhood Before You Buy a Home
Being prepared as a renter includes securing proper Renters Insurance to protect your stuff if stolen or damaged.
Author Information
Owned and operated apartment bldgs. for many years. Screening tenants is a top priority. No place is 100% safe from intruders. Smaller units cannot afford security guards. However gated locked entries are helpful. An alert apartment manager is also beneficial.
You forgot question #1: “Has this building ever been found to have bedbugs?”
If so…..run away fast. Really, once in they are impossible ever to eradicate short of radical measures such as using dry steam to elevate the temperature in the building to over 120 degrees.
Should ask if there is mold in the walls or interior of apartment. This can be hazardous to one’s health. Then the renter should ask him/herself if the landlord is telling the truth.
Why would you put an apostrophe before ole? Since it is a stylized contraction of old, it would make more sense at the end. Any, ole is good enough, as in Ole Miss.
oh for heaven’s sake!
LOL!
Don’t forget to inquire if the building is rat infested…
If you expect security from a rental, you should hire a body guard. Residents are responsible for their own safety and security is a myth. Gates, locks, doors fail… often and only keep honest people out. Having a security guard is expensive and it’s ridiculous how renters think they pay a fee for a housing and think the landlord is responsible for everything that happens to them.
I believe the landlord CAN in fact make the area safer by providing adequate lighting, and making sure the bulbs are lit, instead of burned out all the time. I believe a landlord can make wiser choises as to the people rented to. You do background checks for this, but at the prospect of getting another rent check, I am pretty sure the money wins over the character of the new neighbor and their own guests. A landlord can also provide followup to the regulations they have written in their leases…ie: trash, dogs, parking violations should be kept up on and follow up on complaints as needed. If the lease states no children under 12 in the excersize room, that means no children in the room by themselves, and as landlord or manager, this should be regulated. The landlord can request regular drive thrus by the police as well. The landlord can and should keep the fences in good repair, keeping the area clean and well kept and repaired is actually a deterrant to unwelcome tresspass. People pay huge rent in this area, and I don’t think this landlord appreciates a good tenant from a bad one.
Hey, Linda, keep in mind that the “crazy landlady” is probably a slumlord. Anyone who conducts proper tenant screening and only lets in established tenants is not usually the kind of person who bucks at the idea of bending over backwards to ensure tenants are secure and safe.
I was a landlord for a while. Bad tenants invariably cause at least $2,500 worth of damage before they can be evicted, as well as stealing your appliances during “midnight moveouts”…which is 3-9 months AFTER they’ve stopped paying. Unless you’re specializing in Section 8′s and running a slum, no sane landlord takes a bad tenant just for a quick upfront check. I left units empty for 6-9 months using various excuses when a credible tenant couldn’t be found.
o_O Damn Northerners, you scary. We don’t have half of that **** [text edited by admin] in Florida, and we don’t have any of the problems those measures are intended to avoid….
What exactly are you talking about, NoJuan?
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