Condo builders offer a variety of security features to help keep you safe, but as a resident you’ve got an important role to play, too.

Lauretta Kaechele, president of the South Alberta Chapter of the Canadian Condominium Institute, is concerned about condo owners letting strangers into their buildings. “I always say this over and over to different boards, and when I’m at meetings. I can walk in behind anyone. Rarely has anyone ever said to me, ‘Do you live here?’ ”
It’s really common sense. If you know the person, and you know he or she lives in your building, then certainly you can enter together. But, if it’s someone you don’t know, don’t let them in. And all visitors should have to buzz a resident in order to enter.

“Our buildings are designed to eliminate lollygaggers,” says Marc Wener, sales associate for Century Park Club & Residences, a high-end condo community being built on the site of the former Heritage Mall in south Edmonton. When complete the complex will consist of stacked townhouses as well as mid-rise and high-rise buildings.

“It will be key fob technology—keyless entry,” Wener explains, “so you’ll need a key fob to get into entryways and the underground parkade, to make the elevators work, and to access the stairwells.” This means that if someone follows you inside—into a building lobby, for example—they won’t be able to go any further unless they have a key fob.
Key fobs and access cards are the way most condos are going. Unlike traditional keys, they can be deactivated. So, if you lose yours, or if they’re stolen, let your security management company know right away. 

At Century Park Club & Residences, the entry system is even wired to control visitor access. If you buzz a visitor in, the elevator will go directly to your floor, not allowing your visitors access to any others.

Some condos—more so in downtown neighbourhoods—also employ security guards. At Churchill Estates, an upscale high-rise in Eau Claire, one is on duty 16 hours a day, seven days a week. In addition, there are closed circuit cameras in the front and rear entryways, as well as in the underground parkade.

“Only residents have access to underground parking,” says Judy Hunt, sales representative for Churchill Estates. “The visitor lot is outside on the ground level. And when you are going in and out of the underground parkade,” she adds, “you should pause and wait until the door comes down.” This way you can make sure that no one sneaks in before the door closes, and as she points out, “it could be someone trying to drive in or walk in.”

In terms of alarm systems, every condo building or complex handles this differently. At Churchill Estates, “the first two floors are hard-wired for alarm systems,” says Hunt. “Owners hire the monitoring service themselves.”

At Century Park, “all the main-floor suites are given free alarm systems,” says Wener, adding, “All of the other suites are hard-wired for alarm systems.” The cost is $1,000 at the time of contract to have a system installed before moving in, or owners can shop around after they move in, for a security company of their choice.  
It’s also up to owners in any condo to install their own bars on basement windows or put lights on timers when they’re away. And consider putting your television and stereo on timers too, so that it sounds like someone is home, the experts advise.

“The biggest problem I see is that people assume that their building is secure because it has locks on the doors and the different security features. Maybe they have an alarm, that type of thing, but generally security starts right with the person,” says Kaechele.

“It’s really being aware of your surroundings,” she points out. “If you notice a light’s burnt out, let your board or management company know.”
Wener recommends also getting to know your neighbours “to create that ‘Block Parent Community’ feel.”

But not everyone who lives in a condo wants to be best buddies with everyone on their floor, notes Hunt. “You know, I think that anonymity is one of the things that people enjoy about downtown apartment living.”

Either way, keeping your eyes and ears open is a must.

Kaechele says the bottom line is, “if somebody is going to take security for granted, that puts everybody at risk.”

So, the pros will tell you, while you should take advantage of the electronic security systems available, the best safeguard is always common sense when it comes to dealing with the things security systems can’t.