Tenants. Guests. Vendors. Vandals. Prospects. Rent. Late rent. Ongoing maintenance. Emergencies. Emergency maintenance. And so on and so on. The last thing you need to worry about as a property manager is whether your security systems are firing on all cylinders. Hiring a certified professional will give you both proficiency and peace of mind. But don’t settle for the first name in the phone book. Keep the following three security vendor qualities in mind during your search.
- Experience: It should go without saying, but finding the right security vendor for your properties means finding a knowledgeable security vendor. There are plenty of fly-by-night outfits that can string together surveillance cameras and rig an entry system or two for a price that looks too good to be true. And guess what? It is. On the flip side, signing with a huge (and impersonal) company that has a big name but approaches security in a traditional, proprietary fashion isn’t the answer either. When searching for a great security vendor, it is imperative to find someone with a team that has logged the miles and, in doing so, has developed new ways to think outside of the box while staying current with all industry regulations and standards.
- Response time: Because property management is a 24/7 job, you need security that offers responsive, 24-hour customer service and the ability to address concerns at a moment’s notice. You cannot afford to have your vendor go MIA at any time, on any given day. What’s more, find a professional who installs systems accessible via a user-intuitive interface that can be accessed from anywhere in the world on just about any Internet-connected device. This gives you the added peace of mind that you can check in on any of your properties at any time with just a few clicks.
- Integrity: The ideal security vendor will do what they say they are going to do. It’s that simple. OK, maybe one iota more: they will do it well. Perhaps the pinnacle of all security vendor qualities is that deep-seated sense of trust, responsibility, and knowing at the end of the day that they have your best interests – as well as those of your buildings and your residents – at heart.
As a property manager in need of a new security system, time – as always – is of the essence. Make the most of it. Before launching a full-scale search, make a list of important questions to ask when interviewing prospects. Or cut to the chase and call Secom, LLC – we have the answers you’re looking for, and none of our clients have ever waited more than 24 hours for a service call.