Top 3 Gated Community Access Control Systems & How They Work

 

 

From multifamily properties to commercial spaces, gates provide maximum security for residents and tenants. They prevent trespassers and other unwanted visitors from entering the property. But to maintain security while managing property access, you need gated community access control.

There are many solutions to control gate access at a community entrance gate, from intercoms for gates to vehicle detection systems. Read on to learn more about gated community access control, how it works, and why you need it.

In this guide, we explain:

• Top 3 gated community access control systems
• How does a gated community work?
• Benefits of gated community access control
• Gated community access control FAQs

 

Top 3 gated community access control systems

Here are the top three gated community access control systems on the market:

1. ButterflyMX
2. DoorBird
3. LiftMaster

 

1. ButterflyMX

With over 40,000 five-star reviews, ButterflyMX is a top-rated access control company that ensures a safe, convenient property experience for your residents. What’s more, ButterflyMX’s robust Access Control System offers greater security and more features, including a keyless entry experience that takes advantage of employees’ and residents’ phones.

ButterflyMX is the best choice for successful gated property access because:

• Security Cameras. By adding ButterflyMX’s Bullet or Dome Cameras to your gated community security suite, you can gain insight into gated entry actions. Our Security Cameras seamlessly integrate with our Access Control suite, giving you a unified security solution. Additionally, you can easily learn about the activity occurring within your community no matter where you are.
• Gate Video Intercom System. ButterflyMX is at the forefront of IP video intercom technology. What’s more, ButterflyMX’s smartphone gate entry system is a convenient smartphone gate opener that allows residents to use their smartphones to open gates and grant access with the tap of a finger.
• Remote management and monitoring. From a web-based dashboard, property staff can view an audit trail of gate releases and virtual key uses. ButterflyMX also integrates seamlessly with property management software.
• Virtual keys. On top of smartphone-based video communication, ButterflyMX makes visitor access simple with virtual keys, also known as Visitor Passes. These temporary keys can be configured for single or recurring use, ensuring visitor access while maintaining security.
• Vehicle gate access control systems. Vehicle Readers and Windshield Tags allow seamless, hands-free vehicle access in gated communities, making them one of the best HOA gate access systems for HOAs and condos.

 

Watch how ButterflyMX works in gated communities: 

 

2. DoorBird

DoorBird’s wireless intercom offers a number of features, such as low-light vision and motion detection.

More DoorBird features include:

• Integration with smart home systems. DoorBird’s wireless intercom systems are compatible with popular smart home platforms, enabling integration with other connected devices and home automation technology.
• Camera. The camera on each DoorBird IP video door station allows residents to see who’s requesting property access. DoorBird intercom cameras may also record video of entry events and motion sensor activity.
• Multiple user support. DoorBird allows different members of a household to access and control the intercom system.
  Remote firmware updates. The DoorBird wireless video intercom supports over-the-air firmware updates, which ensures that the system remains updated with the latest features and security enhancements.

Read our DoorBird intercom review >>

 

3. LiftMaster

LiftMaster offers gated community access control solutions, including smart gate operators, keypads, and cloud-based software. Their systems are designed to allow residents to manage access via smartphone apps while property managers can monitor and control entries remotely.

LiftMaster gated community access control includes:

• Community security gate systems. Security gate systems with safety features like sensors and loop detectors prevent accidents and ensure proper gate operation.
• Commercial gate operators. From barrier gate operators to automated swinging and sliding gates, LiftMaster offers a variety of security gates for communities.
• Solar solutions for gates. Solar-powered gates help reduce energy consumption for residential communities.
• Heavy-duty commercial gate openers. Heavy gate operators with durable hardware and speed control are great for moving day-to-day traffic. So, they’re ideal for industrial buildings and warehouses.

Read our LiftMaster gate opener review >>

 

How does a gated community work?

A gated community is any property with controlled access using gates or other physical barriers. Some communities have booths with security staff to manually check each person’s identification before allowing them through the access gate. Others have an automatic gate that opens when a resident scans their access card or fob.

Here are three ways visitors access a gated community:

• Through a gate intercom or telephone entry system. Visitors can request access by calling a tenant through either a gate intercom or telephone entry system. These systems have a directory of current tenants that visitors can scroll through to find a specific resident.
• By requesting access from a gate attendant. If there’s no entry system at the gate, an attendant at the entrance checks visitors’ credentials and calls tenants to confirm the guest.
• By using an access control system. Gated community access control systems require anyone seeking property access to verify their identity using a PIN, key fob/card, or mobile app to enter. The system then cross-references the person’s credentials with its database, and if the credential matches an authorized user, the system allows the gate to open.

 

Benefits of gated community access control

Now that we’ve gone over what gated communities are and how their access control systems work let’s discuss the benefits of gated community access systems.

Placing an access control system at your gated property can help you retain renters year after year and attract new tenants to fill vacancies quickly. Also, residential properties in gated communities are valued at nearly $30,000 higher than non-gated properties.

Here are some benefits of gated community access control:

• Frees up property staff’s time. An access control system at your gated community frees your property staff from overnight security shifts. As a result, you’ll reduce expenses. During the day, the property staff can allocate their time to addressing more urgent requests from residents, which keeps them happy.
• Ease of access for residential and commercial tenants. If you install a smartphone-based access control system – such as an IP gate intercom – residents can open the gate from their phones. Residents can grant themselves or guests access from anywhere with just a tap. Their gated community gate opener is right under their fingertips as a mobile app.
• Prevents traffic congestion. The last thing tenants want to do when entering and exiting the gated community is to sit in traffic. A gated community without an efficient access control system may take five minutes to verify each vehicle or visitor before allowing them access. However, tenants and authorized visitors can request access within seconds with effective access control. This streamlines traffic flow and prevents cars from stacking up at the gate entrance.
• Reduces and eliminates tailgating. In this context, tailgating refers to an unauthorized vehicle following a tenant or other authorized vehicle so closely that it can pass through the gate while it remains open. Installing a gate intercom system with cameras as your access control solution captures video of those unauthorized vehicles or guests. Then, you can immediately address the unwanted visitor and have them vacate the premises. A robust and secure community gate system prevents potential intruders from even trying to enter.

 

Gated community access control FAQs

Here are the answers to your frequently asked questions about gated community access control:

• What does gated access mean?
• Is there a universal gate code for gated communities?
• Are gated communities worth it?
• How do you secure a gated community?
• Do gated communities have less crime?

 

What does gated access mean?

Gated access means a physical barrier restricts access to a gated residential or commercial property. Consequently, only authorized tenants, staff, and visitors will have the necessary credentials to enter the property or premises.

 

Is there a universal gate code for gated communities?

No, there is no universal gate code for gated communities. Having a universal access code defeats a gated community’s purpose of protecting tenants from unauthorized and unwanted visitors. Therefore, every gated community has a different access control system that designates authorized people who can enter.

 

Are gated communities worth it?

There are various benefits of gated communities that make them worth it. For one, the gates give tenants peace of mind. Residential gated communities help residents feel confident that only authorized people can access the property. Also, they add an extra layer of security for families with young children by providing a secure space for them to play. Residential gate access control systems facilitate access into and out of those multifamily communities.

The same goes for schools, college dorms, nursing homes and hospitals. Gated communities are a great way to keep tenants safe by preventing unauthorized visitors.

 

How do you secure a gated community?

Installing an access control system is the best way to secure a gated community. Gated community access control includes anything that manages access into and out of a gated property. An HOA or gate access control system is a device that ensures tenants and authorized guests can enter your property while preventing unauthorized personnel from entering. Gated access is a great way to keep your property and community safe.

 

Do gated communities have less crime?

Yes. Statistically, gated communities have fewer crimes than non-gated communities. A 2013 study in The Oxford Handbook of Environmental Criminology found that gated communities experience 33% fewer burglaries than non-gated communities. Although crime statistics vary with the types of gates and access control systems a property has installed, access gates typically do a good job of keeping crime rates low in communities.

To maximize security even further, residents or property owners can install additional security systems – such as smart locks and video intercoms – at the entrances of individual units. Especially in gated multifamily communities, you should purchase systems that seamlessly integrate with your property’s HOA gate access control system.