5 Reasons Why Property Managers Hire Condo Security Guards

Managing a condominium is no small task. In addition to maintaining smooth building operations, property managers are tasked with balancing resident satisfaction, safety, budgets, and compliance. Security is a key component of this balancing act. Many property managers seek residential security services for peace of mind and hands-on support, along with the safety it provides. 

If you're a property manager or owner who's curious to learn more about the benefits of residential security, this blog is for you. The five key reasons why property managers hire condo security guards discussed here go beyond crime prevention and address the day-to-day challenges property managers face.

1. Mitigating Legal and Financial Liability

One of the biggest concerns for any condo property manager is liability. If a crime, accident, or other security incident occurs on-site, property managers or owners may be liable. Without safeguards, this could lead to lawsuits and insurance claims.

Security guards reduce this risk in three key ways:

Trained Response

Incidents can quickly escalate without the help of trained professionals. Residents may attempt to handle incidents such as trespassing and forced entry themselves, putting their safety at risk. Relying solely on law enforcement is also less than ideal. Police can take several minutes to respond to non-life-threatening calls, often allowing thieves, vandals, and intruders to escape long after they have committed the crime. 

Security guards receive training in safety protocols and conflict resolution to manage all types of incidents that may take place in a residential environment. As guards are present on the property, they can respond instantly to incidents. Having a designated, trained professional on hand to manage incidents minimizes both safety risks for residents and legal risks for property managers. 

Detailed Reporting

Security guards document and report every incident, providing a record for property managers and police when needed. A guard's reporting extends beyond security incidents, however. They also report maintenance issues, medical emergencies, suspicious activity, property damage, and more. Regular reporting provides condo managers with an overview of their site on a day-to-day basis. 

2. Enhancing Resident Safety and Retention

Safety is a top priority for residential security guards. Residents who feel unsafe are more likely to move, resulting in higher turnover rates and increased complaints for property managers to address. Here's how security guards improve safety and satisfaction:

Visible Deterrence

Condo security guards wear a distinctive uniform to identify them as security personnel. This visibility provides both reassurance to residents and an element of deterrence to potential trespassers, vandals, and other criminals. For example, the presence of a concierge security guard at the front desk of your condo building signals to potential criminals that your building is actively monitored. As a result, they're less likely to commit a crime on your property due to the high risk of being caught. 

Access Control and Visitor Logging

A concierge guard's front desk station gives them a clear view of the primary entrance. They're able to spot any unfamiliar faces or people behaving suspiciously as soon as they enter the building and ask them to register at the front desk. Concierge guards also monitor live CCTV feeds, maintaining a remote view over all areas of the condo while at the front desk.

Learn more about how condo security guards respond to trespassers and intruders in our previous blog, Trespassers and Intruders: What Condo Security Guards Should Do. 

Resident Support

When you hire a condo security team, the same guards will be assigned to work at your building daily. This consistency allows guards to build rapport and familiarity with residents, ultimately providing a safe resource to request help and report concerns. A friendly relationship with guards improves the living experience of residents and enhances their overall satisfaction. 

 Incident Response

Security guards respond to all incidents as they arise. In addition to trespassing, common residential security incidents can include vagrancy, loitering, conflicts between residents, and vandalism. Having an on-site security guard ensures that your property is protected in the event of trouble.

Maintenance Response

In the previous section, we mentioned that guards report maintenance issues, providing visibility to property managers. However, they also respond to maintenance issues, helping to keep residents away from hazards such as broken glass, water spills, and dangerous litter. Guards can post caution signs in the area or contact the building's maintenance teams directly, depending on your preference.

In the event of serious maintenance issues, such as broken pipes, security guards will quickly and safely evacuate affected residents. We covered this particular type of incident in our blog, How Do Security Guards Respond to Condominium Floods?. 

3. Reduced Workload for Property Managers

One of the most frustrating parts of property management is mediating disputes between residents and enforcing building rules. Between noise complaints, parking violations, disputes, and safety concerns, responding to issues can consume hours of a property manager's time per week. If you're a property manager, you may not live in the condo you manage, which adds travel to your responsibilities. 

Here's how security guards help:

Common Area Oversight and Rule Enforcement

While on patrol, particularly during overnight hours, guards monitor the usage of common areas and amenities to ensure residents and guests are following building rules. Rule enforcement might include ensuring the gym is empty after hours, stairwells are free from loiterers, and lounges are being used appropriately. If your guard finds anyone breaking the rules, they will immediately resolve the situation professionally.

Parking Management

Guards monitor parking lots for theft and trespassing, but they also ensure vehicles follow parking rules. They may issue warnings or coordinate with towing companies in response, depending on your building's protocols.

Noise Complaint Response

Noise complaints are a common source of conflict between neighbours. Rather than contacting their property manager, residents can submit complaints directly to security guards, who can respond immediately. Prompt action improves resident satisfaction, as their complaint is taken seriously and addressed quickly, and saves property managers time and effort. 

Check out our article, How Condo Security Guards Respond to Noise Complaints to learn more about this process.

4. Emergency Response

While minor issues, such as those discussed above, can add unnecessary time to daily management duties, emergencies can pose a significant obstacle and source of stress for property managers. Emergencies can occur at any time, and as a property manager, you may not always be on site to respond immediately. 

The assurance of a rapid, professional, trained response is what makes having a security presence at your condo so valuable.

Fire Alarms and Floods

Guards will respond to fire alarms and floods by immediately evacuating residents, enacting building protocols, and coordinating with first responders. Having trained professionals on hand to manage and reassure panicked residents can prevent distressing situations from escalating into full-blown panic. 

Guards also ensure that first responders are contacted immediately and can access the building upon arrival. They will also contact property managers to inform them of the situation and maintain communication until the incident is resolved.

Medical Emergencies

Many condo security guards receive first aid training, enabling them to help with medical incidents until first responders arrive. Similar to fire alarm responses, the on-site presence of a condo security guard ensures that there is always someone ready to call 911 for help. This immediate response buys precious minutes and often makes a significant difference in the outcome of the individual.

5. Increasing Property Value and Curb Appeal

Security adds measurable, real value to your property. A condominium with a visible, professional security presence feels safer and more welcoming than one without, making it more attractive to current and prospective residents. Here are the benefits:

Increased Rental and Resale Value

Adding a security team to your condominium is an immediate way to enhance the property's value. Prospective tenants or buyers will feel more comfortable knowing the property is professionally protected, especially at properties located in downtown areas of cities like Vancouver and Toronto. 

Higher Retention and Occupancy

As we've discussed, a safer condo environment contributes to greater resident retention. The benefit of retention is lower vacancy and greater financial stability. 

Stronger Reputation

A safe, well-managed property is far more likely to be viewed favourably by the market. Investing in security elevates your property's reputation and positions it as an ideal place to live within the community. 

The Blackbird Difference: Premium Condominium Security Services

Condo security is one of our primary areas of expertise at Blackbird Security. We've had the privilege of safeguarding several high-profile residences across Canada, and our years of experience contribute to an excellent client experience. Here's how:

Advanced In-House Training

Each of our guards undergoes advanced training through our in-house training program, Blackbird Academy. Beyond the standard training required to earn a security guard license, our program covers key topics relevant to condominium security, including fire safety, customer service, peaceful de-escalation, first aid, and report writing. 

This training ensures that our guards have a strong foundation of knowledge, even before stepping onto the field, enabling them to provide top-level service to you and your residents.

Comprehensive Reporting

Our guards use TrackTik for all reporting. As the gold standard in security reporting software, TrackTik provides everything we and our clients need to maintain a complete, real-time overview of the properties we protect. Through our TrackTik portal, you'll have live access to reports and guard locations, providing you with as much insight into your property as you need. 

Partner With Blackbird for Condo Security

Security is one of the most important investments a property manager, owner, or condominium decision-maker can make. At Blackbird Security, we understand the unique challenges associated with managing condominiums. Contact us today to find out how we can protect your property and residents.

If you'd like to learn more about condo security, check out our Definitive Guide to Condominium Security. We cover everything you need to know about the field and provide pointers to help you choose the right company for your property.