Given the size of the average apartment community, there are plenty of doors on the property, and even more important, plenty of locks to go along with these doors. Managing these locks is important, but it is important to mention that it can be a challenging task. To stay organized and to keep your property and your tenants safe, learn about some of the practices you should adopt within your community.
Invest in No-Duplicate Keys
None of your tenants should have the ability to make duplicate keys for their units. When you give tenants this ability, you always open the door to problems. Not only can the tenant give non-residents access, but they may even have the opportunity to gain access to the property even after their lease has ended. All the keys you assign to each tenant should be no-duplicate keys. A locksmith will never duplicate a key with this label.
Consider Smart Locks
Speak with a locksmith about installing smart locks for the common areas of your property, such as a fitness center or business center. Smart locks are especially beneficial for apartment communities because they offer the property manager the opportunity to limit access when necessary. For example, if a tenant is evicted from the property, you can deactivate their lock code so that they no longer have access to the amenity centers onsite.
Create an Accountability Sheet
Keep an up-to-date record of who has which key and when. In terms of your staff, whether it is a storage closet or other locked area, property managers and facilities personnel should be required to sign for a key, so that in the event of an issue, you know exactly who to contact. In terms of your residents, if they need to access special areas, such as a clubhouse space, they should also sign out the key.
Replace Locks Regularly
Make it a point to replace locks on your property regularly, not just when the lock has failed. Regular replacement is an excellent way to deter theft around the property. One reason for this problem is that the more worn a lock, the easier it is to break into. Routine lock replacement keeps the locks strong and durable, which makes it harder for an intruder to access them. A locksmith can help you determine how often to replace your locks.
Remember, a locksmith can work with you to help you to meet all your lock needs and to help you keep your apartment community safer. Reach out to a commercial locksmith service today to learn more.
Share24 July 2020
Letting your tween stay home alone for the first time may be an exciting experience for them, but it likely makes you a little worried. To give yourself some peace of mind and to help protect your tween while home alone, it’s a good idea to create a safety kit and store it in a safe place that can be accessed from outside of the house, like in a locked box in the garage, that can be used in case of emergencies. The kit should include first-aid items, emergency phone numbers, and even a prepaid cell phone. You should also have your locksmith change all of the locks for a fresh start and make two copies of the new keys for your tween – one to keep with them at all times, and one to hide outside in case the first is lost.
