Security guards at apartment buildings have several important responsibilities, some familiar and others more unique to apartment complexes. These can include:

• Watch for suspicious behavior and threats, particularly at entry points to the apartment building
• Log guests into the apartment properly according to required check-in procedures, and prevent unauthorized or unwanted guests from entering when necessary (this also involves familiarity with the apartment’s check-in system, which may use unique or proprietary software)
• Monitor and manage the apartment’s security system, which may include a variety of sensors, cams, duress alarms, and more
• Respond to emergency situations: This can be anything from checking out triggered alarms, deescalating fights or aggressive behavior outside the apartment building, keeping people away from an accident or medical emergency, or answering a specific call for help from a tenant
• Contact the dispatch center or law enforcement as necessary for specific situations
• Liaise with law enforcement when necessary, for searches, arrests, and investigations
• Report any incidents that occur as required

In general, apartment security guards are not expected to deal with property management details, such as serving eviction notices or collecting rent payments. This is a very different type of security service.

Yes. Apartment security should always conduct periodic patrols of the apartment premises and parking lot to look for any potential problems and deter any unwanted acts (the apartment owner may also have specific guidelines for this). The larger the complex, the more work goes into patrolling, and since security guard presence may also be required at access points during this team, security teams are frequently used – though not always necessary. For especially large complexes, vehicles may also be required.

This can vary. Most often, the firm will work with property management companies that are looking for professional security services to manage specific properties. This is an advantage for security firms because a property management company that is satisfied with security is more likely to hire the firm for additional properties.

In other cases, individual landlords, owners, and investors may want to hire security guards themselves, especially if incidents recently occurred at their properties.

It certainly can be, but this can vary greatly. There is the potential for a number of dangerous situations for apartment security, involving anything from aggressive individuals trying to enter the building to domestic disputes and fights inside – as well as preventing assault on the premises. Apartment guards need the proper experience and training to handle their responsibilities – and when things go wrong, security guards that aren’t ready can make mistakes. Your security firm already has a built-in advantage by guaranteeing properly licensed and credentialed guards that are able to handle dangerous situations appropriately, just the sort of thing property management companies are looking for.