The role and responsibilities of a property manager are changing because of COVID-19. Solutions that are more health-conscious and touchless are in demand, which is leading to the increase in adopting new technology. Tenants want peace of mind and convenience and to feel like they are a priority to property managers. And property managers are tasked with balancing how to deliver a high-quality tenant experience while achieving business goals.
Now, post-COVID, new problems and challenges are emerging for property managers. Read on as we discuss the biggest issues property managers face along with how modern access control technology is providing safe, secure solutions to increase the tenant experience, retention, and safety.
Table of contents
Also, read
- Guide to Touchless Access Control Systems
- Product Overview: Swiftlane Apartment Intercom
- Maximizing NOI with Smart Apartment Building Security
- Best Package Management Solutions for Multifamily Buildings
4 Immediate Problems and Solutions for Property Managers
1. Package Theft and Vandalism
The Problem
As people have embraced social distancing as a way to slow the spread of the pandemic, there has naturally been a drop-off in brick-and-mortar shopping. With ecommerce at an all-time high, package theft is increasingly becoming a problem. A recent survey shows 1 in 5 Americans reported being victims of porch piracy amid the coronavirus crisis with 18% having had a package or delivery stolen since March 2020.
The Solution
Remote door unlock allows tenants to manage visitors and deliveries from anywhere straight from their mobile phone or browser. Single-use pins and temporary access offer safe solutions for secure package delivery and visitor access.
Video intercom systems also make life easier for property managers and building owners. With remote access capabilities, they too can grant authorized access to delivery vendors, maintenance staff, and personnel. This saves them time and money on overhead costs associated with legacy systems and physical staff. The best video intercom systems for apartment buildings incorporate this level of security, flexibility, and intuitive technology.
2. Visitor Management
The Problem
Visitor management is one of the biggest challenges for keeping buildings safe and secure. Theft, vandalism, and other threats increase when unauthorized entry is an ongoing issue. Traditional visitor management systems that involve front desk staff, paper sign-ins, doormen, or two-way audio buzzers are becoming outdated and insecure in the post-COVID environment.
The Solution
In an increasingly touchless world, video intercom is reimagining how we safely enter buildings with a smarter visitor management solution. Two-way video intercom lets tenants pick up calls from anywhere to visually verify and communicate with whoever is at the front entrance. Remote door unlock allows tenants to grant access to visitors or deliveries from anywhere without requiring them to be home and eliminating the need for close contact.
For tenants who want touchless access options, the ability to use a mobile phone or face recognition unlock for access to the building, common areas, or residence, mean not worrying about carrying physical keys or — more importantly — needing to touch high-use surfaces that increase the spread of germs.
3. Operational Costs
The Problem
With people getting laid off or furloughed, property managers are looking for cost effective solution that can decrease operational costs, which increases the ability to grant more leniency when it comes to rent deferment and forgiveness. Property managers are primarily focused on growing revenue while decreasing operating costs, which is especially critical during times of crisis.
Also, when a tenant moves out in a multi-tenant building, getting back key cards or changing locks can be a challenge — and expensive.
3 Issues With Key Card Systems:
- Most key cards systems run inside the building only, which means you would need to go into to the building to revoke the card or fob access
- You need to arrange for the pickup of the card from the tenant, or pay for additional cards instead
- High costs for shipping cards back to the property manager or leasing office
The Solution
Technology that is hosted in off-site servers — aka the cloud — allow property managers to authorize or revoke access permissions remotely and instantly from anywhere. A cloud-hosted door entry system is also able to handle permissions for multiple buildings, as many property managers are responsible for many sites and buildings. With the cloud, maintenance and software updates are easy and automatic and don’t require extra time and money. This means less tenants will face far fewer access issues as well.
4. Business Continuity
The Problem
Business continuity during the pandemic is super important. With social distancing and the need for contactless solutions, virtual showings are becoming more and more popular. However, for those that still want to see the property in person, self-guided tours need to be an option and property managers are looking for a solution to do that safely and securely.
The Solution
In a remote first world, it’s critical to be able to securely manage access from anywhere, without needing to be on-site at the building. A cloud-based system that allows for easy remote management will help keep property managers, tenants, and visitors safe. Cloud-based dashboards can offer easy issuing of temporary pins that can be use one time or multiple times. Video intercom offers an extra layer of protection to visually verify who is entering and leaving a building. A real-time audit will mitigate theft, vandalism, and unauthorized entry systems.
How Do You Choose the Best Video Intercom System for Your Building?
The Future of Property Management
Since the pandemic, the insecurities of outdated access control technology and systems have increasingly become a concern. In order to increase safety and mitigate the current health crisis, touchless access control technology is taking the lead not only in security but in physical health as well. Companies like Swiftlane are offering all-in-one access control solutions that provide the modern features necessary to increase building security and tenant experience.
What Does Swiftlane Offer?
- Two-way audio and video intercom calling
- Access control built in
- Pick up calls from your phone or browser
- Release door lock remotely from mobile app
- Works for single office, multi-tenant commercial, and residential buildings
- Centrally manage multiple doors and buildings
- Sleek, beautifully designed hardware that elevates the aesthetic in any building
Watch below to see how Swiftlane works for residential buildings.
Swiftlane Video Intercom
The concept of smart buildings has been around for a long time, but it’s growing in demand because of the current environment. Ultimately, implementing new access control technologies can lead to satisfied tenants, increased tenancy rates, and decreased turnover.
Questions?
Tell us about your building and our team will reach out with more details.
