The United States multifamily market remains strong despite high interest rates, buoyed by new development and resilient renter demand. CBRE forecasts vacancy will remain low at 4.9% through the end of 2025, with rent growth holding steady at 2.6%. 

With the evolving market comes an increase in renter expectations. Residents want amenities that seamlessly fit into their daily lives and reduce friction. At the same time, property managers are under pressure to do more with less.

Despite this growth, one area continues to fall behind: physical security infrastructure. Many properties still rely on brass keys, manual processes, and disconnected digital tools, all of which appear functional but quietly create operational drag. These inefficiencies, often invisible on a balance sheet, erode profitability, frustrate residents, and increase liability, creating a burden known as security debt.

As operating costs rise, outdated solutions only amplify staffing strain. Every rekeyed lock, lost credential, or manual guest entry adds friction. Meanwhile, safety remains a concern for residents. Security must be viewed not as a one-time capital expense, but as an ongoing, strategic investment that directly impacts experience, efficiency, and long-term value.

From Physical Keys to Full Visibility: The Evolution of Multifamily Access

Security in multifamily isn’t just evolving for technology’s sake, it’s advancing to solve real operational pain points, enhance visibility, and give operators greater control over every entry point, from sidewalk to unit door. Each phase of this evolution represents a strategic improvement in how properties protect people, spaces, and peace of mind.

Brass Keys: A Legacy Liability

Traditional locks are still common, but they come at a high cost, placing a heavy operational burden on property teams — on top of well-known security risks. Brass keys are easily duplicated and offer no audit trail, leaving properties exposed and maintenance teams scrambling to keep up. Rekeying after move-outs or lost keys is standard practice, but it's time-consuming and reactive.

That was the case at a luxury complex in Manhattan, where management dealt with constant lost key incidents, escalating rekeying costs, and frustrated tenants. Each unit turnover became a time-consuming risk, highlighting the need for smarter, more secure solutions. 

Electronic Access Control: A Smarter First Step 

The first major leap came with electronic access control (EAC) systems — fobs, PINs, and mobile credentials — initially deployed on exterior doors. These solutions allowed teams to remotely manage credentials, automate access permissions, and monitor entry activity in real time. For many properties, this upgrade delivered immediate benefits: reduced rekeying, stronger perimeter control, and faster response times.

Now, that same EAC functionality has moved deeper into the building. When applied to unit doors, it provides full-property visibility — from the sidewalk to the suite — and gives operators confidence that only the right people have access, at the right times. It’s more than convenience; it’s a strategic layer of control and accountability.

The Proptech Shift: Built for Multifamily’s Reality

Early access control tools were often borrowed from commercial or single-family solutions, but they weren’t built to scale for multifamily’s unique needs. Proptech changed that. Today’s purpose-built platforms deliver access control, video, package management, and resident services designed specifically for apartment communities.

By adopting these tools, properties can move beyond point solutions to gain portfolio-wide visibility, automate manual tasks, and deliver a better experience for residents. But not every operator has made the leap. Those who have are already seeing the payoff: less friction, fewer vulnerabilities, and a competitive edge in a market where expectations are only rising.

The catch? Many operators implement new tools in isolation. Smart locks. Cameras. Intercoms. Guest apps. But none of them talk to each other.

This fragmentation creates operational drag. Staff must toggle between them and residents must juggle multiple apps. Training and troubleshooting multiply and oversight suffers.

Why Centralized, Cloud-Based Platforms Are the Future of Multifamily Security

Today’s leading operators are turning to centralized, cloud-based platforms that unify access control, video surveillance, guest management, and analytics across entire portfolios. These systems offer remote access management, real-time visibility, searchable audit trails, and mobile credentialing for staff and residents, streamlining everything from visitor entry to maintenance workflows.

The business case is equally strong: centralized systems reduce maintenance overhead, enable self-guided tours, and allow teams to manage access across properties from anywhere. As one operator put it, “We have 100 properties — and 50 different technologies.” That level of fragmentation isn’t just inefficient — it’s unsustainable.

Take VITA, a multifamily property in Tennessee, which transitioned to a centralized solution and saw faster leasing, reduced maintenance hours, and consistently higher tenant satisfaction. This kind of upgrade fosters a greater sense of safety and community while delivering measurable business value.

The Hidden Cost of Holding On

And the cost of sticking with outdated systems? It’s steep. According to the National Apartment Association, properties using legacy tools face increased OpEx tied to maintenance and access complaints, along with more tenant frustration — often reflected in poor reviews. With 76% of multifamily pros still using brass keys and rekeying costs ranging from $80 to $150 per unit, the financial toll on net operating income is both real and rising. 

Future-Proofing at Your Own Pace

The good news is that modern platforms are modular. Properties can scale gradually, upgrading building by building, while maintaining control of legacy systems in the interim.

Plus, the insights they deliver, like amenity usage patterns, can help operators make smarter design, staffing, and investment decisions.

Security Is a Strategic Advantage

Security is no longer a sunk cost. It’s a lever for retention, reputation, and revenue. Modernization doesn’t just protect buildings; it transforms how they operate. Now is the time to audit your systems. Identify inefficiencies. Rethink outdated processes. And build a roadmap to a unified, cloud-first future.

The longer you wait, the more costly and complicated it becomes. But the reward is clear: operational freedom, elevated resident experiences, and a stronger bottom line.