Living in a strata building can present a unique challenge to security for residents. Particularly in larger buildings, you may not know all, or many, of the other residents, so it can be hard to tell if someone has permission to be in the building or not. Even in smaller complexes, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to recognise all the visitors who may legitimately be coming into the building. And potential thieves are often attracted to apartment buildings, as it’s easier to go unnoticed, and there are many cars, storage cages and apartments to target.
There’s no doubt that security in strata buildings can sometimes be problematic. Even when good security measures have been put in place, these can be quickly jeopardised by the poor security habits of building residents. The whole building can be put at risk by careless or inattentive residents.
Using common sense, care for others and vigilance are highly effective in reducing crime and keeping your apartment safe and secure. Try these strategies – and ensure other residents of your building know about them too. These could even be coded into by-laws or recommendations during committee meetings so that all residents are on the same page about what behaviour is expected of them in terms of building security.
Help secure your apartment by:
- Knowing your neighbour. This is highly important, as good neighbours can keep an eye out for each other and will be aware of suspicious behaviour or activities that aren’t normal.
- Knowing your building manager. Keep your manager’s number somewhere handy so you can easily contact them in case of an emergency.
- Don’t let strangers enter behind you if you are accessing the building. Legitimate residents will have their own access key.
- Make sure you always close communal doors, and never leave them propped or jammed open. This is just inviting unauthorised people to enter.
- Similarly, check that the garage door is properly closed behind you, and make sure no-one sneaks in after you.
- If someone you don’t know requests entry through the intercom system, don’t just allow them in. Contact the building manager. Often, the threat of calling someone in to verify their presence is enough to deter most criminals; and if they are legitimate callers there shouldn’t be an issue.
- Notify your neighbours when you’ll be away, and for how long you’ll be away. They can keep an eye out for any activity in your apartment. Let them know if someone will be coming to feed your pets etc., so they won’t be alarmed at the sight of strangers in your apartment.
- Move valuables in your storage cage and car (if you’re leaving it behind) into your apartment before going away on holidays. You don’t want to make it easy for thieves to access your belongings, or put temptation in their path.
- Even if you live high up in an apartment building, don’t store valuables on your balcony and assume no-one will be able to access them. Intruders have ways of accessing places you’d never think they could. As well, lock your balcony door when
you’re inside or when you go out, to prevent intruders from gaining easy access to your home.
- Don’t lend your keys to anyone, no matter how legitimate they seem.
- Never store valuables in your garage storage area, as this is too easy for criminals to access.
- Likewise, never leave valuables in your car, even when it’s stored in a garage. Always make sure your car is locked and the windows wound up.
- Lock your bike with a padlock, wherever you store it, and engrave it with your name or other identifying details.
- Don’t write your apartment number on your key. You don’t want to make it easy for criminals if you happen to lose your keys.
Be aware
Keep your eyes open and be aware of any suspicious behaviour you might notice, such as:
- People you don’t know loitering around access points to apartment buildings. This is a big red flag, as residents to the building will have no reason to loiter around outside. People who do loiter around are usually looking for an opportunity to find a way in, so be wary.
- Drivers tailgating other drivers into apartment car parks. If your car park is gated, drivers should not be trying to slip in unauthorised, particularly if you don’t recognise them.
- Damage to common property, which may indicate people trying to gain access.
- Strangers examining storage cages.
- Doors that have been jammed or propped open, for any reason at all.
Report any suspicious behaviour to the police, as it’s better to be safe than sorry. Sometimes a visible police presence is enough to deter would-be criminals, who will look to find somewhere less risky to target.
Long-term security options to consider
A combination of real and dummy security cameras on common property. Signs notifying of these cameras can also act as a deterrent.
- ‘Screechers’ can be installed in main access doors to stop people leaving them open.
- Automating lights or putting lights on a timer in common areas to make it look like people are present.
- Start a Facebook page for all the residents of your building so you can get to know and look out for each other, and share anything that seems suspicious.
- Make sure mailboxes are in high traffic, visible areas such as apartment foyers. Mailboxes can be an easy target for thieves, and are a great way for them to steal people’s identities.
- Clear the areas around the ground floor of the apartment building, and don’t allow trees, shrubs or debris to provide cover for burglars. Visibility is a strong deterrent for criminals, so make sure it’s easy to spot suspicious behaviour by maintaining clear lines of sight.
- It’s important for lot owners to think about security from a whole building perspective, rather than just the security of their own apartment. Each owner has invested in their community, so each one shares the responsibility for the security of both their private and the common property. This will go a long way towards creating a safe space that everyone feels comfortable in, and is free to enjoy unhindered.
For more information on security in strata schemes, contact the leaders in body corporate management in Brisbane here.
For more tips on how to outsmart burglars, click here:
