An apartment block, strata complex or multi-tenant office has a different security problem from a single home. Many people come and go through the same entrances, each tenant needs access to their own space, and the building manager needs to change who can enter without replacing every lock. Access control is designed for exactly this situation. This guide explains how it works in shared buildings and what to consider before choosing a system.

What Is An Apartment Or Strata Intercom System, And How Is It Different From A Standard Door Intercom?

An apartment or strata intercom system lets a visitor call through from a shared building entry to a specific unit. A standard home intercom connects one front door to one household. A multi-tenant intercom links a single communal entry point to many individual units, often with a directory of resident names or unit numbers. Modern versions add video, so residents can see who is calling before they grant entry. Many can also be paired with a mobile app, so a resident can answer and unlock the door from anywhere.

In most apartment buildings, the intercom is also connected to the base building’s lift access control. When a resident lets a visitor in, the system opens the entry door and gives the visitor access to that resident’s floor only, usually for two to five minutes. For example, a guest calling an apartment on level 5 is let through the front door and can take the lift to level 5, but no other floor. Lift integration like this is now very common in apartment buildings, and it keeps visitors out of floors they have no reason to visit.

For a building with a lot of foot traffic, this is usually the first point where access control makes a visible difference. Visitors are directed to the right unit, and the entry point is no longer an open door for anyone who follows someone through.

How Does Visitor Management Work In An Apartment Building Or Multi-Tenant Office?

Visitor management is about making it easy for the right people to get into a shared building, whether that’s a guest, a tradesperson, a courier or a food delivery. Without it, residents often have to take the lift down 20 or 30 floors just to let someone in. With an intercom, the resident answers the call from their unit or phone and lets the visitor in from wherever they are. In a more integrated setup, a resident or staff member can also issue a temporary access code, a one-time fob or a mobile pass that expires after a set time. In commercial buildings, reception sign-in or a visitor pass system can be added on top for extra control.

Can One Access Control System Manage A Building With Many Tenants Or Unit Owners?

Yes. A well-designed system can be set up so that each tenant or unit has access to their own space and to shared areas such as the main entry, lifts, the car park or a gym. The building manager or body corporate keeps overall administrative control. Individual tenants generally cannot see or change another tenant’s access settings.

This layered approach is one of the main advantages over shared physical keys. Access can be added, changed or removed for one unit without affecting anyone else in the building. Protec’s business access control page covers this kind of multi-tenant permission structure in more depth.

What Is Building Access Control, And Why Do Multi-Tenant Properties Need It?

Building access control covers the hardware and software used to manage who can enter a property and which areas they can reach. That includes fobs, keypads, swipe cards, intercoms and mobile credentials. In a multi-tenant property, a single building has to serve many tenants, owners or businesses at once, each with different needs and different hours. Access control lets the building manager set and adjust permissions per tenant, review entry activity, and remove access quickly when a lease ends or a resident moves out. This avoids changing locks or reissuing physical keys to everyone else. Protec’s guide to how door access control systems work explains the technology behind it, and the access control systems page covers the full range of hardware and software options.

What Access Methods Work Best For Shared Buildings?

Most multi-tenant buildings use a combination of methods rather than one. The right mix depends on how many entry points the building has and how much traffic passes through each one. Common choices include:

• Fobs or swipe cards for residents and staff at main entries, car parks and lifts, because they are quick to use and durable.
• Keypads for shared or lower-security areas, where a code is easier to manage than a card.
• Video intercoms at the main street entry, so residents can see and speak with visitors before letting them in.
• Mobile credentials, where residents answer the intercom and unlock doors through a phone app, even when they are away from the unit.

For guidance on the intercom side of this, see Protec Security’s intercom systems page.

How Is Access Control Kept Up To Date As Tenants And Residents Move In And Out?

One of the practical benefits of access control in a multi-tenant building is that access can be updated centrally. When a tenant moves out, their fob, card or mobile credential can be deactivated without affecting any other resident. When a new tenant moves in, they can be issued a new credential, with permissions matched to their unit and to the shared areas they are entitled to use. The system also keeps a record of who holds current access, which makes the building easier to manage over time.

If you are weighing up options before deciding, Protec’s guide on how to choose the right access control system for your business walks through the decision in more detail. If you manage an apartment block, strata complex or multi-tenant office and want a tailored recommendation, contact Protec Security.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is An Apartment Or Strata Intercom System?

An apartment or strata intercom system lets visitors call a specific unit from a shared building entry. Modern versions often include video and a mobile app, so residents can grant entry remotely.

How Does Visitor Management Work In An Apartment Building?

Visitor management makes it easy for guests, trades, couriers and deliveries to get into a shared building without residents having to come down to the entry. Residents can let visitors in through the intercom or phone app, or issue temporary codes, one-time fobs or mobile passes that expire after a set time.

Can An Apartment Intercom Give Visitors Access To The Lift?

Yes. In most apartment buildings the intercom is connected to lift access control, so when a resident lets a visitor in, the visitor can only travel to that resident’s floor, usually for two to five minutes.

Can One Access Control System Manage Many Tenants?

Yes. Each tenant can be given access to their own unit and to approved shared areas, while the building manager keeps overall control. Access for one unit can be changed without affecting the others.

How Is Access Kept Up To Date When Residents Move?

Access can be updated centrally. Credentials for a departing resident can be deactivated, and new credentials can be issued with the right permissions for an incoming resident.