71% of apartment renters want better security — Is your building prepared?

How are tenants feeling about their apartment’s security? Not good.

In a new survey on multifamily security, the team at Deep Sentinel talked to over 1000 apartment renters across the U.S. Their message was clear: Tenant safety is a pressing issue that can't be ignored.

As security threats evolve, property managers must adapt by implementing up-to-date strategies and technology — and tenants know it. To feel safe in their own homes, tenants are calling for stronger security solutions from their property managers.

The survey revealed that 71% of renters think property managers should do more to improve security.

Despite the presence of security measures like door access control and alarm systems in many complexes, only half of respondents felt these measures effectively prevent crime.

And even more concerning: although nearly 70% are aware of at least one crime occurring on property, 28% reported that their apartments did not provide any security solutions at all.

Plus, 60% of renters don’t feel fully safe in their apartments — including many whose property does offer some kind of security measures.

36% of tenants whose apartments have traditional security measures in place don't feel they effectively deter crime.

Are traditional security measures, like on-site guards and alarm systems, still enough? Not according to tenants. The presence of traditional security measures didn’t necessarily correlate with a stronger feeling of safety.

What does this signal for the future of multi-family security?

As crimes become bolder and more sophisticated, it seems that traditional security solutions might not be as effective as they once were. In 2023, the FBI reported a total of 6.4 million property crimes, with total estimated losses amounting to over $280 billion.

This data points to a clear conclusion: there is an urgent need for a new approach to security in multifamily housing.

How should property managers adapt?

One standout finding from the survey: tenants feel safer when their complexes use monitored surveillance cameras. Of the tenants living in complexes with these cameras, 70% felt they were effective in preventing crime.

But traditional monitored cameras come with their drawbacks — they can be costly and are prone to human error. This is where modern, AI-enabled surveillance systems provide an effective solution. These systems analyze live video footage in real-time, reducing the risk of human error and improving response time to potential threats.

Download the full survey report to get a closer look at the insights to help keep your property safe (and meet your tenants’ expectations.)

Get the step-by-step guidance you need to secure your multi-family property.

To help multi-family property managers put together a solid security plan that doesn’t compromise ROI, the security pros at Deep Sentinel developed a new guide specially for property owners and managers.

Here’s what you’ll get when you download the guide:

An overview of how to fulfill your legal responsibility to security
Step-by-step guidance on how to create and implement your security plan
A list of the most common problems with traditional multi-family security approaches (and how to solve them)
Tips for adding tech-enabled tools to your security plan without blowing your budget