Multi-residential or “multifamily” housing is changing. New tenant expectations and smart digital technologies are promoting rapid growth and disrupting long-standing business models. This is now Europe’s second-largest real-estate sector. For investors and property managers, choosing the right access solutions can boost ROI while making daily living more convenient for residents.
According to a recent whitepaper from ASSA ABLOY, the digitalization of access brings a range of security and convenience benefits to multifamily housing. With a smart, connected access system in place, the apartment door can integrate securely and efficiently with the rest of a smart home. Renters and homeowners see the daily benefits of this ‘connected living’, in both convenience and energy efficiency performance.
In addition, deploying mobile access technology facilitates a freer, keyless life. Residents unlock their front door remotely, for visitors or their children. When their personal system is connected to the building, they can let couriers access a specific parcel delivery area – saving time and reducing theft risk.
Smarter living – and management – for the digital residence
In an apartment block, the digital access experience can begin at the building entrance. Here, the security benefits and broad compatibility of the DoorBird smart intercom system, for example – with functions including HD video, night vision and remote opening – helps property developers, owners and managers meet or exceed the growing expectations of their tenants.
Another key area is improving the day-to-day management of on-site service providers. For facilities teams, managing plumbers, HVAC technicians and many other types of contractor presents a challenge. How to get them in and out – securely and efficiently – without creating unnecessary workload or compromising security?
A digital access solution can shoulder some of the burden. With a digital solution, service providers carry access credentials which fit their precise time-period and location requirements. Access may be issued for multiple premises, if they need it. For example, cleaners may be admitted 5 days each week, but only between 6am and 9am. Their programmable credentials only unlock site doors during this window. Electrical contractors may be issued with smart cards which are valid around-the-clock for 4 days for a refurbishment job. These automatically expire after the agreed period.
Any lost credential is quickly deleted from the system: It won’t unlock doors, cabinets or any other access-controlled openings.
In Wiesbaden, Germany, housing provider GWW chose eCLIQ, part of the suite of Digital Access Solutions from ASSA ABLOY. This programmable key-based digital locking system offers modern management and full flexibility, characterized by robust, reliable build with durable and secure components. For users, it’s familiar – working just like a traditional lock and key. All eCLIQ cylinders are wireless. Power is supplied by the battery in the key. Thus, doors with CLIQ cylinders can always unlock without their own power supply.
Another major factor in GWW’s choice was that authorizations can be set and changed flexibly in the CLIQ Web Manager, accessible from anywhere with an internet connection. Lost keys can be deactivated immediately. Time and room restrictions can also be defined, to grant cleaning staff access at specific times, for example.
GWW issues different eCLIQ keys depending on user requirements. For example, the eCLIQ Connect® key can receive new access authorizations remotely and at short notice: the keyholder simply updates their own key by making a Bluetooth connection between it and their Connect mobile app.
Improving resident convenience and management cost control
When tenants or homeowners choose a multi-residential property, they place trust in its building managers to deliver security without hassle or worry. Increasingly, however, they also seek convenience benefits in their daily routines. There remains a place for traditional security. Mechanical lock-and-key solutions deliver familiarity, reliability and cost-effectiveness.
But in competitive urban and build-to-rent markets, or where housing providers seek to attract a young demographic, an innovative digital solution can generate attention. It becomes an aspirational part of the marketing mix, not just a security system.
When connected with digital access, home automation solutions can also offer benefits such as smarter energy usage and real-time security notifications. The right digital access solution can even help enable multi-residences to go completely (or substantially) keyless. Out-the-box solutions like ASSA ABLOY SMARTair® include battery-powered cylinders and other devices to lock almost any opening, from high-traffic entrances and mailboxes to front doors for homes. Building users gain access via cards, fobs, badges or their mobile phone. Facilities managers stay in control of their property – a handful of doors or thousands – from a web portal or via the Openow app.
This connected solution was deployed by Becorp, in Barcelona, at a site with around 3,000 doors. Residents gain access with mobile keys stored on their phone. This innovative approach has helped them to manage a large site more efficiently.
“Physical key management for any large development puts severe pressure on operational costs,” explains Becorp’s Xavier Casals. “Choosing SMARTair wireless locks and mobile management via the Openow app helps us to minimize them.”
A recent whitepaper, “Multi-residential access management and security solutions: The move to digital”, explores this sector’s trends and challenges. Download a free copy at www.assaabloy.com/group/emeia/solutions/industries/residential/multi-residential