Apartment living brings many benefits, from convenience to a sense of community, but shared buildings also come with shared security risks. Doors propped open, lost keys and unfamiliar visitors can all weaken protection. Strata committees hold the responsibility, and the ability, to make a real difference.

Know your building’s risks

Start with an honest assessment. Walk the property at different times of the day, including at night, and note entry points, car parks, stairwells, lifts, storage cages and common areas. Look for poor lighting, hidden corners and doors that do not latch properly.

Ask residents about their experiences too. They often know about problems the committee has never heard of, such as strangers following people through the gate or packages going missing from the lobby. Their observations are a valuable starting point.

Consider asking a security professional to carry out a formal assessment. An outside perspective often notices weaknesses that residents have become used to, and the written report supports funding decisions.

Review access control first

Controlling who enters the building is the foundation of security. Check that front doors, garage gates and fire exits close and lock reliably, and that intercoms and key fobs work as intended.

Keep a clear record of who holds keys and fobs, and deactivate those belonging to former residents, contractors and cleaners who no longer work at the property. Lost or unaccounted-for keys are among the most common causes of unauthorised entry.

Replace worn locks and faulty door closers promptly. A door that fails to latch properly is an open invitation, and the repair is usually inexpensive compared with the cost of a break-in.

Improve lighting and sightlines

Well-lit spaces discourage unwelcome behaviour. Make sure entrances, car parks, walkways and stairwells are brightly and evenly lit, and replace failing lights quickly. Motion-activated lighting can save energy while still deterring intruders.

Trim overgrown shrubs and move clutter that blocks sightlines. When residents and passers-by can see clearly into and around the building, there are fewer places to hide, and it becomes easier for people to notice anything unusual.

Use alarms and monitoring wisely

Shared areas such as car parks, plant rooms and lobbies benefit from professional protection. A provider specialising in strata security in Perth can tailor systems to the layout and needs of multi-unit buildings, including monitored alarms and tamper alerts.

Monitoring means that someone responds when an alarm is triggered, even if no one is home. For apartment blocks with many absent residents during the day, that constant coverage offers reassurance that individual alarms alone cannot.

Test alarms and sensors on a regular schedule, and keep maintenance records. Equipment that has not been checked in years may fail when it is needed most, which defeats the purpose of installing it.

Consider cameras carefully

Cameras can deter crime and provide evidence if something happens. Place them at entrances, in car parks and in lifts, positioned to capture faces and licence plates clearly without intruding on residents’ private spaces such as balconies or windows.

Strata schemes must follow privacy rules, so display signs, restrict who can view footage and store recordings securely. Discuss the proposal openly with owners before installing, because transparency builds support and avoids disputes later.

Communicate clearly with residents

Security depends on behaviour as much as equipment. Remind residents not to let strangers follow them in, not to prop doors open and to report faults promptly. Notices in lifts, newsletters and emails all help reinforce the message.

Make reporting easy. A clear contact for the strata manager, a simple online form or a dedicated email address encourages people to speak up, and it ensures that small issues are fixed before they become serious.

Welcome new residents with a short security guide explaining how entry systems work and what to report. Starting good habits early helps the whole building maintain high standards.

Keep records and share information

Maintain a log of incidents, repairs and maintenance. Patterns often emerge, such as repeated break-ins in a particular car park, and the log gives the committee evidence to justify spending.

Sharing information about the building’s improvements also builds community confidence. Residents who see the committee acting on their concerns are more likely to cooperate and to take security seriously themselves.

Look at budgets and funding

Security upgrades require money, and committees need to plan carefully. Use the sinking fund where appropriate, obtain several quotes and weigh the long-term benefit of each option against its cost.

Researching providers and comparing options is easier with trusted resources, and a good directory such as Weblist can point you towards established Australian businesses. Check licences, insurance and references before engaging any contractor.

Break larger projects into stages if funds are limited. Tackling the highest risks first, such as entry doors and lighting, delivers benefits sooner while spreading the cost over several budget periods.

Plan for emergencies

Security is not only about crime. Make sure fire exits are clear, emergency lighting works and residents know the evacuation plan. Keep emergency contact details visible and up to date.

Run a brief annual review of procedures with the strata manager and, where possible, local emergency services. A well-prepared building responds faster and more calmly when something unexpected happens.

Keep contact details for locksmiths, electricians and security providers in one place. When a lock fails or a door is damaged after hours, quick access to the right person limits the period of exposure.

Make security an ongoing priority

Good security is never finished. Equipment ages, residents change and risks evolve. Schedule regular inspections, put security on the agenda of committee meetings and revisit your plans at least once a year.

With careful assessment, practical upgrades and engaged residents, a strata committee can create a building that feels safe and welcoming. That sense of security is one of the most valuable things a shared home can offer.

Celebrate improvements too. When incidents decline or residents report feeling safer, share the news, because positive feedback keeps people engaged and supports future investment.