Multi-dwelling units or MDUs are on the rise today. While a lot of these buildings still use conventional locks and keys, electronic access control systems can offer many benefits, from security to enhanced residential experience.
Multi-dwelling units or MDUs are on the rise today. While a lot of these buildings still use conventional locks and keys, electronic
access control systems can offer many benefits, from security to enhanced residential experience. This article takes a deeper look.
Different from individual houses, MDUs are residential buildings with multiple living units for different households. Apartments, co-ops and condominiums are examples of MDUs. More and more, MDUs are on the rise, with the US National Association of Realtor citing that there are more multifamily than single-family units under construction, and that 893,000 units in buildings with five units or more compared to 800,000 single-family units were under construction in September 2022.
Mechanical locks and physical keys are still used in a lot of MDUs. According to a whitepaper by Parks Associates, access control solutions have historically been considered a premium amenity for luxury communities, with the organization citing its own survey as suggesting access control technology is more commonly adopted in communities that charge higher monthly rents compared to those with lower rents. Yet Parks Associates said this trend is expected to change as progress in access control technology drives down deployment costs.
Access control solutions for MDUs
Access control solutions for MDUs can be quite diverse and generally include the following:
Keycards/fobs/reader: The resident taps their keycard/fob against the reader to gain entry; this is typically found at the main entrance of the MDU and inside the elevator;
Smart lock: An electronic locking device that is usually deployed at each residential unit in the MDU and can support keyfobs, passcodes and biometrics;
Intercoms: A callbox placed at the main entrance with which the visitor can call the resident they are visiting;
Mobile credentials: The resident taps their smart device against the reader and gain entry; this is relatively new but is set to become more widespread.
Benefits of using access control
Benefits of using electronic access control systems at MDUs are manifold. This note lists four of them, which are described as follows.
Security
Of the benefits access control can offer to MDUs, security tops the list. Physical keys that are still used in a lot of MDUs can be lost, stolen or copied; hiding the key underneath a mattress is invitation for burglars. Electronic access control, on the other hand, is more secure and can be set up to keep an audit trail of every door event; audit trails kept in the cloud can be viewed from anywhere. This gives MDU residents more peace of mind.
Enhanced user experience
It’s always a hassle to bring a large set of keys, each for a specific door or area. Conversely, if you’re locked out of your apartment, not bringing any keys will get you nowhere except sending for a locksmith. Not so with access control or smart lock, where you can always open a door with a passcode or biometric. With mobile credentials, things even get easier since people tend to carry their mobile device at all time.
Cost savings
Cost savings are another major benefit. This is especially the case for MDU superintendents and managers, for whom various costs can be saved, for example the cost to rekey or replace keys. “Property manager and staff benefits include reduced need to rekey locks, elimination of physical keys management, improved cost savings by reducing need for 24/7 on-site staff, the ability to offer self-guided tours of units during off-hours, improved efficiency of maintenance staff and other workers by making it easier to enter units, and reduced liability and increased visibility by keeping access logs of people entering or leaving the property,” the Parks Associates whitepaper said.
Improved visitor management
Finally, another benefit for using access control at MDUs is better management of visitors and delivery persons. Visitor entry can be pre-scheduled, while the resident can also send a QR code to their guest, who can enter the building upon scanning the QR code.
According to Parks Associates, access control also solves a key pain point in package and mail delivery. “Multiple delivery drivers may need daily access to the property, and without a streamlined solution for secure access, many communities resort to writing down gate codes on callboxes or waving drivers through without confirming their identities. Communities with tighter security risk having deliveries or appointments missed, which can introduce new problems and potentially upset residents,” the whitepaper said. “Increasing the overall safety and security of communities can be a more straightforward solution than creating a specialized package management service, reducing the risk of theft.”