The previous"Various apartment crime cases"Next, we will explain the measures being taken to strengthen security in the apartment building.

When choosing an apartment to rent, many people place importance on whether or not the property has adequate security measures.
As a landlord, you would love to meet these expectations, but depending on the content of the security measures, some of the costs can be high.
This time, we will provide a thorough explanation of security measures for apartment buildings, including the average costs.

5 ways to strengthen security in apartment buildings

It is no exaggeration to say that the newer the apartment building, the more likely it is that security equipment will be standard.
In particular, if an apartment building is located in an alley with little foot traffic or a dimly lit alley, crime prevention measures will have a significant impact on occupancy rates.
Some of these systems require a large investment in equipment, but it may be worth considering installing one to provide peace of mind to your residents.

Apply security film

Security film is a film that is applied to windows to make them harder to break.
Burglars don't like things that take a long time or make a lot of noise to break into. If you apply security film, your windows won't break even if you swing a metal bat at full force, and you'll have to make a lot of noise and bang on the glass multiple times to get inside.
It is a good idea to apply film even to first-floor apartments facing the road.

The average cost is 20,000 to 25,000 yen per square meter.

Install security cameras

An increasing number of apartment buildings are installing security cameras in entrances and other locations that are difficult to see from the outside and may be potential break-ins.
Images captured by security cameras are transmitted via wired or Wi-Fi internet connection and stored on a server, etc.
Therefore, you must choose the most suitable security camera depending on the location of the power source and the internet line.
If you are unsure, have the installer inspect the site to check whether wiring is present, the installation method, and the type of security camera that can be installed.
Dummy cameras are cheap and can be installed anywhere, but there are doubts about how effective they are.

You can assume that the average cost will be between 50,000 and 100,000 yen per unit, including installation costs.

Install a sensor light

A sensor light is a light that has a motion sensor that turns on when someone approaches, preventing intruders from entering the building.
It is not effective during the day, but it can help to show that your apartment building has strong crime prevention measures.
Although outlet-operated lights tend to provide more illumination and are therefore more effective, battery-operated lights may also be installed depending on the wiring situation.

The cost is around 10,000 to 15,000 yen per unit, including installation.

Installing barriers and fences

Apartments that have bicycle parking areas accessible from the outside or have gaps next to the side of the service entrance doors are problematic in terms of crime prevention. Measures such as installing fences to prevent people from entering from the outside and installing additional fences on top of low walls are necessary.
Materials include the typical mesh fence, as well as privacy fences made of several thin sheets of aluminum lined up.

The average cost varies depending on the materials, number of posts, foundation work, etc., but for a mesh type it is around 7,000 to 15,000 yen per metre, and for a privacy aluminium or steel type it is around 25,000 to 40,000 yen per metre.

Install a monitor intercom

Previously, monitor-equipped intercoms were only found in luxury family-type rental apartments, but due to increased awareness of crime prevention, they are now being installed in an increasing number of one-room apartments in recent years.

Since parcels and food deliveries are often left at the door, women in particular will often look for an apartment with a monitored intercom as a condition.
If you install an intercom as an add-on, it will be a large-scale project as it will have to be done for every household at once.
It seems that in many cases people also change to an intercom with a monitor when retrofitting an auto-lock at the entrance.

The cost varies depending on the size of the apartment building, but it is usually around 100,000 to 150,000 yen per unit, and the cost tends to be cheaper the more units you install.

Install a home security system

Although it will be quite expensive, you could also contract with a security company to install a home security system.

Sensors are installed on doors, windows, etc., and a system is in place to respond immediately if an abnormality is detected, so this can be said to be the highest level of quality in terms of crime prevention.
However, it may be difficult financially to implement the system for every household.
In the case of apartment buildings, installation is possible on a unit-by-unit basis, so why not propose this as an option when tenants move in?

The initial cost is 50,000 to 100,000 yen, and monthly costs are around 5,000 to 10,000 yen.

Promoting an apartment building with high crime prevention awareness

It may be difficult to prevent crimes in apartment buildings 100%, but it is possible to keep criminals away by promoting your apartment as being crime-conscious. Burglars will find it difficult to break into apartment buildings where the common areas are well-maintained and lighting and security cameras are properly installed.

Strengthening security can also lead to improved occupancy rates. If you feel that the security of your property is insufficient, take this opportunity to review it.