Need advice for video monitoring at apartment complex

Need advice for video monitoring at apartment complex

Member since 2023 · 47 posts · 23 votes

We recently purchased a 6 unit complex that was full and had "good paying tenants."  Unfortunately we have discovered that the guests of a couple of tenants were not being upstanding citizens and got themselves in trouble with the law.  

One of the tenants we have already started eviction proceedings against due to non payment of rent and the other one we are giving 30 day notice to because they had someone living with them that was not listed on their lease and this person was involved with some shady things so since it was a lease violation, she gets a 30 move out notice.   

We want to put up signs and get cameras set up around our perimeter and inside the common areas for added piece of mind for us and the remaining tenants.  Our question is, has anyone had issues like this?  What type of system did y'all have installed?  Any thoughts on which way to go because we don't need the break in alarm but we definitely want video cameras to try and encourage the people doing rotten things to stay away.  

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  • Member since 2024 · 9 posts · 5 votes
    1y

    Hi @Dennis O'Loughlin, sorry that you had this experience. It can be difficult when situations like these have to introduce new protocols. The cameras are not a bad idea especially because the trust has been shaken with the tenants. I would suggest a sit down talk about this to give the others in the unit a heads up of the coming changes. Enforce this in the new leases. Also, remind them this is coming from a safety measure for everyone wellbeing due to the climate of crime near our homes. 

  • Investor · Memphis, TN · Member since 2014 · 16 posts · 9 votes
    1y

    I use a couple of Lorex systems as well as some Lorex cameras with a Blue Iris server. Probably 33 cameras in all. The system is completely DIY. I don't know if it's better or best technology. And I don't really know how the price of what I've done stacks up against other offerings (including professional installations). What I do know is that the cameras are an absolute treasure for deterrence and problem identification and resolution. Not sufficient for individuals' identification always, though. So of limited use for prosecution. But In combination with fences and automatic gates it makes for a pretty secure-feeling place. However, in my experience, the MOST important factor in the safety, security and property protection is tenant selection.  I also find, as you do, it is often the guests who cause many of the problems. To help deal with that we try to push responsibility for guests' behavior back onto our tenant. For that to work, one must know which tenant the guests were visiting. And for that, there's nothing better than video.

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