Best Apartment Security Camera System for Your Multifamily Property

Choosing the right apartment security camera system is one of the most important decisions you can make. Simultaneously, choosing a great apartment security camera helps ensure the safety of your residents and plays an important role in securing your multifamily property’s assets.

For that reason, we’ve put this guide together to showcase the top apartment security camera systems for your multifamily building. Additionally, we detail what to consider when making a decision on a system, the types of camera models available, and how you’ll benefit.

In this post, we cover:

• Types of security cameras for apartment buildings
• Considerations for apartment security camera systems
• Your choice for an apartment security camera system
• Benefits of a security system for apartment buildings
• Apartment security camera FAQs

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Types of security cameras for apartment buildings

An apartment security camera captures all activity and allows you to easily access video feeds of your multifamily property to provide real-time apartment video monitoring. Additionally, the best apartment security cameras offer cloud-based video storage so you can readily access older footage.

But what is the best security camera for an apartment?

Here are the most common types of apartment security cameras:

• Dome cameras. Recognized by their transparent dome housing, dome cameras are discreet and easily blend into the environment. They are ideal for capturing footage in large, open spaces due to their range of motion and wide field of view.
• Bullet cameras. Bullet cameras have a long, cylindrical shape and are known for their range and clarity, suitable for monitoring long corridors, large outdoor areas, and far distances.
• PTZ cameras. PTZ or Pan-Tilt-Zoom cameras offer flexibility for apartment monitoring because they allow you to remotely control the movement of the camera. As a result, these cameras allow you to capture every detail.
• Fisheye cameras. These cameras provide a 360° panoramic view, which is useful for covering large areas with a single camera.
• Turret cameras. Also known as eyeball cameras, turret cameras are highly versatile and offer easy adjustments, which helps them provide clear images with minimal infrared reflections.
• License plate reader cameras. LPR cameras are designed to capture and recognize license plate information, allowing vehicles to enter and exit a property seamlessly.
• Thermal cameras. Thermal cameras capture images using heat detection technology, making them ideal for low-light environments.

Considerations for apartment security camera systems

As a property manager, selecting the right security system for your apartment complex is a critical decision. You need a solution that enhances security without creating unnecessary headaches for you or your tenants.

Below we address key property manager considerations and help you choose a system that meets your multifamily property’s needs:

1. How can I ensure a hassle-free installation and ongoing maintenance?
2. Will this system grow with my property portfolio?
3. Can this system do more than just record footage?
4. How do I know if I’m choosing a reliable security provider?
5. Will this system work with my existing property technology?
6. Will my tenants’ safety concerns be met?

1. How can I ensure a hassle-free installation and ongoing maintenance?

To avoid issues with your camera, you should partner with a provider that offers installation, regular system health checks, software updates, and on-demand troubleshooting to minimize downtime and reduce the need for hands-on management.

What’s more, choosing a security provider that offers professional installation ensures cameras are positioned correctly, avoiding blind spots and legal concerns about resident privacy.

Once installed, ongoing maintenance is crucial to keeping your security system fully operational. The last thing you want is for a critical camera to go offline without your knowledge.

2. Will this system grow with my property portfolio?

If you plan to expand your multifamily property portfolio, your security system should scale with you. A common mistake property managers make is choosing a system that works for their current building but lacks the flexibility to accommodate future growth.

To avoid costly replacements down the road, opt for a cloud-based camera system solution that supports additional cameras, remote monitoring capabilities, and cloud storage expansions. Scalable solutions allow you to seamlessly add new buildings and units without needing to overhaul your entire security infrastructure.

3. Can this system do more than just record footage?

Security cameras provide valuable footage, but they don’t actively control access to your building. As a property manager, you need a system that helps you prevent unauthorized entry.

Look for a security camera that also integrates with access control, so you can:

• Control who enters the building through mobile credentials or keypads.
• Monitor entry events in real-time by linking access logs with camera footage.
• Remotely manage access for tenants, guests, and service providers.

By integrating security cameras with an access control system, you can create a proactive security strategy that keeps residents safe while reducing the burden on your management team.

4. How do I know if I’m choosing a reliable security provider?

The best way to vet a security provider is by checking customer reviews and industry reputation to see what other property managers say about their experience with an apartment security camera.

For instance:

• Are there case studies or testimonials from multi-unit properties similar to yours?
• Does the company have industry certifications or awards backing its credibility?
• How is the product and company written about on forums and review pages?

Additionally, reach out to your network of other property owners and managers for recommendations. A multifamily security provider that is trusted by professionals in your industry is more likely to deliver long-term reliability.

5. Will this system work with my existing property technology?

A security system should make your job easier, not more complicated. If your cameras don’t integrate with your multifamily property management software, alarm system, or smart building technology, you’ll be stuck juggling multiple platforms and workflows.

To streamline your operations, choose a system that integrates with:

• Property management platforms to sync tenant access permissions automatically.
• Smart building technology for improved automation and energy efficiency.
• Alarm systems so that security alerts trigger immediate responses.

By investing in an integrated system, you’ll save time, reduce errors, and create a more seamless security operation for your apartment complex.

6. Will my tenants’ safety concerns be met?

Tenants expect their apartment building to be a safe and secure place to live. When implementing a security system, it’s important to address their biggest concerns while maintaining transparency about how the system operates.

Here’s how you can ensure your security system meets tenant safety expectations:

• Visibility. A well-placed multi-camera system setup can serve as a deterrent to crime, making tenants feel safer in shared spaces like parking lots, hallways, and entrances.
• Clear communication. Residents should know where cameras are installed, who has access to footage, and how security measures are being used to protect them. Providing an open line of communication helps build trust and alleviates privacy concerns.
• Access control. Combining security cameras with an access control system ensures that only authorized individuals can enter the building. Mobile-based access and video intercom systems allow tenants to verify visitors before granting them entry, reducing the risk of unauthorized access.

Discover how ButterflyMX works:

Your choice for an apartment security camera system

ButterflyMX offers Dome and Bullet Security Cameras packed with features designed to provide more visibility into your multifamily property’s operations. Most importantly, our Security Cameras integrate seamlessly with all of our other products including ButterflyMX Video Intercoms, Access Control, Smart Locks, Elevator Controls, which allows you to create a unified security system.

When looking to gain insight into your multifamily property, ButterflyMX’s Dome and Bullet cameras are perfectly suited for the job. The Dome Security Camera easily blends into your multifamily property and captures activity in large, open spaces. Meanwhile, the Bullet Security Camera is great for focusing on entryways, exits, and long distances.

How ButterflyMX meets your considerations

• Hassle-free installation. Our Dome and Bullet Cameras only require a single Power over Ethernet (PoE) cable connection to the Gateway, allowing for a quick and easy installation setup. Additionally, cloud-based updates keep your system running smoothly with minimal intervention.
• Scalability for growing properties. ButterflyMX’s cloud-based platform makes it easy to add new buildings, units, and access points as your multifamily property portfolio expands.
• Video & integrations. ButterflyMX Security Cameras record 24/7 in high-definition video that captures the moments that matter the most. What’s more, our cameras work in tandem with the Video Intercom, allowing tenants to grant access to guests from anywhere.
• Reliable and industry-trusted. ButterflyMX has been trusted by property managers across thousands of multifamily buildings, with strong reviews and case studies to back our reputation.
• Use your own ONVIF-compatible cameras. Already have cameras? No problem. ButterflyMX’s OS and Gateway support Open Network Video Interface Forum (ONVIF)-compatible cameras. In other words, connect your ONVIF cameras to our Gateway to integrate them into ButterflyMX’s OS, enabling centralized management.
• Safety-focused. ButterflyMX cameras help enhance property visibility, improve situational awareness, and increase resident confidence in security measures. Additionally, audit trails help increase your ability to maintain tenant safety through date-and time-stamped photos for up to a week.

Benefits of a security system for apartment buildings

Integrating video security cameras with access control systems provides a comprehensive apartment security system that enhances property management.

Here are a few benefits of installing security cameras integrated with access control at your multifamily building:

• Increased security. Integrated security cameras and access control systems allow you to monitor and review all suspicious activity at your property with video footage linked to access events. This way, you can correlate entries and exits with video evidence, ensuring heightened security.
• Tenant retention. Security cameras integrated with access control systems help boost resident retention by making tenants feel safer. Knowing that the property is monitored and access is controlled provides peace of mind and increases tenant satisfaction.
• Improved property monitoring. Security camera systems with 24/7 recording and integrated access control ensure you always know who is entering and exiting your building. Additionally, they allow you to easily view live video feeds and access logs remotely, enhancing your ability to manage and secure the property effectively.

Apartment security camera FAQs

• Can you put security cameras in your apartment?
• Can you put a camera in an apartment hallway?
• How long do apartment security cameras keep footage?
• Are apartments required to have security cameras?

Can you put security cameras in your apartment?

In most cases, yes. Residents can install their own security cameras in their apartments. Of course, you should always review your lease agreement to ensure there are no restrictions or specific requirements for installing such devices.

Can you put a camera in an apartment hallway?

Generally, property owners and managers can install cameras in public areas of an apartment building. Nonetheless, it’s best to consult your local laws and regulations before proceeding.

How long do apartment security cameras keep footage?

It depends on the apartment and the security camera system used. Some systems store footage for only a few days, whereas others store it for months or even years.

Are apartments required to have security cameras?

No, apartment buildings are not required to have security cameras. However, installing security cameras can significantly improve security and safety, providing peace of mind for both you and your tenants.

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