,

6 security tips for property managers

Demand for premium apartment buildings in the UK is rising, meaning the property manager role is more important than ever before.

The London property landscape is dominated by apartments, with 43% of Londoners living in a flat, the most of any region in the UK. Ensuring residents are happy and safe in their homes is crucial, and in serviced apartment buildings, it’s the property manager who needs to ensure everything is running smoothly.

What is the role of a property manager?

A residential property manager can be described as the brains behind the building. Sometimes un-seen by residents, the property manager is responsible for keeping the building running.

Here are some of the main duties of a property manager:

  • Communicate with owners
  • Maintenance and repairs
  • Liaise with residents

In response to this demand for premium residential apartment blocks, residential concierges are fast becoming a ‘must-have’ in the property industry. More and more prospective buyers and renters see an in-house concierge as an essential when on the hunt for a new home and they can be an attractive solution for property managers in need of premium security services.

The 2020 Build to Rent report found that an apartment block was rated better by residents if there was a concierge, with 10% of those surveyed claiming they felt safer and more secure thanks to the presence of a concierge.

The addition of a concierge can provide much-needed reassurance to property managers who need to ensure the seamless running of their residential building. Concierge services extend beyond typical security responsibilities, to include operational support which is invaluable to busy property managers.

What does a concierge do?

A concierge is the first point of contact within an apartment building for both residents and visitors alike. Concierge services range from welcoming residents and visitors, resolving maintenance issues, accepting post and packages and ensuring the building is safe.

What are the duties of a concierge?

  • Working at reception – welcoming residents and guests
  • Receiving post or packages
  • Organising and resolving maintenance works
  • Giving advice or recommendations
  • Acting as a general point of assistance
  • Security services

While a residential concierge has many duties, being able to guarantee the safety of residents is a top priority.

Trained concierges are experts in ensuring the safety of their residents. Whether that be handling a potential intruder or fire safety issue, concierge services centre around being informed and alert to anything that could put a resident’s safety at risk.

Here are six security tips for residential concierges to help make sure they keep everything running safely:

1.    Security training

Training is an essential first step to ensuring an apartment building is as safe as possible for residents.

A concierge should know exactly what to do in the every-day, when something goes wrong, or if something seems suspicious.

While making sure residents receive their post and packages on time is important, it’s crucial that concierge representatives know the steps to follow if something out of the ordinary happens, such as an intruder or a fire.

Well-trained security personnel should be well versed in calmly and safely handling challenging or threatening situations, knowing what to do in case of:

  • Intruder
  • Fire
  • Bomb threat
  • Extreme or adverse weather

Concierges must be alert to all possible eventualities within a residential environment and know the right procedure for ensuring the safety of residents and anyone else on site.

2.    Conduct regular patrols of the property

Mobile patrols throughout the property act as a visual deterrent against any potential crimes, and ensure concierges are alert to the various goings-on and habits of the residents and any visitors.

Regular walkthroughs mean any possible threats or incidents are identified and handled quickly and efficiently, ensuring the safety of residents, guests and staff.

Some key areas in which to conduct regular patrols include:

  • Fire exits
  • Reception area
  • Staircases and walkways
  • Car parks
  • Hallways

3.    Ensure top-quality customer service

The on shift concierge is the go-to person within a residential property, relied upon for the safety of residents and their possessions and providing invaluable peace of mind.

High-quality customer service not only makes residents feel secure within their home, as they know and get on with the person who sits at reception, but it also acts as an effective deterrent to potential threats.

By welcoming and greeting residents and their guests as they enter the building, concierges will quickly get to know regular faces. If an unknown individual is noted in the building, the concierge will be able to recognise this and be on the alert for any suspicious activity.

Concierges are also responsible for handling or escalating any maintenance issues. Whether it be a leaking pipe, a broken oven or a clogged toilet, a concierge is on hand 24/7 to handle any issues.

Ensuring a concierge is well trained to handle all eventualities is instrumental in making sure residents feel safe in their homes, knowing that someone is always on site and able to help in case of emergencies.

4.    Implement security signage

Placing signage inside and outside of your apartment building will act as a deterrent to any potential threats, as it’s clear there is an active security presence on site.

Security signage can include:

  • Notice of active security systems – e.g.: smile, you’re on CCTV
  • Security guards on patrol
  • This is a neighbourhood watch area
  • Guard dogs

Signs like the above help reassure those living in the apartment building that there’s an active security presence, while discouraging prospective criminals.

5.    Stay alert

While it may seem simple, one of the best ways a concierge can ensure their apartment block is secure is to stay alert.

Concierges should always be aware of anyone entering or exiting the property, as well as anyone loitering outside or in communal areas such as courtyards carparks. They should also be alert to any potential causes of disruption, such as deliveries, maintenance works, and even things like extreme weather warnings.

A concierge’s primary responsibility is knowing exactly what’s going on inside and outside the building at all times to ensure the safety of those inside.

6.    Consider trained professionals

Ensuring the safety of residents, visitors and staff is a trained security professional’s bread and butter.

By undergoing strict training, trained security officers have the skillsets required to adequately protect apartment buildings and their residents – acting as a visual deterrent to potential criminals, quickly identifying and handling suspicious activity and should be quick to react to emergency situations.

Investing in trained security officers will give residents invaluable peace of mind that they’re safe at home, while ensuring all those working in the building – maintenance workers, cleaners and receptionists – feel protected in the workplace.

Concierge services at CDX Security Group

Our security officers undergo strict training to ensure they’ve got the capabilities to respond to any given situation, be it an intruder, a fire or even a bomb threat.

With years of experience in security services, we recently scored in the top five percent of UK security firms, following a successful audit from the Security Industry Authority (SIA).

Our security officers and concierge are well-trained, personable, professional, and dedicated to protecting people – making them a perfect fit for apartment buildings.

Get in touch to find out how we can support in making your apartment building safe.