Quick Navigation

• The Security Challenge in Multifamily Buildings
• How Smart Intercom Systems Enhance Building Security
• Visual Verification: See Before You Let Anyone In
• Remote Access Control: Security from Anywhere
• Deterrent Effect: Cameras Stop Crime Before It Starts
• Temporary and Time-Bound Access for Contractors
• Eliminating Tailgating and Unauthorized Entry
• Digital Credentials vs. Traditional Keys
• Audit Trails and Activity Logs
• Package Theft Prevention
• Integration with Broader Security Ecosystems
• Why FARHD Is a Trusted Partner for Multifamily Security
• Frequently Asked Questions

The Security Challenge in Multifamily Buildings

Multifamily properties face unique security challenges that single-family homes simply don’t encounter. High resident density, frequent turnover, shared amenities, and multiple entry points create vulnerabilities that traditional lock-and-key systems cannot adequately address.

Consider these sobering statistics:

• Apartment residents are 34.1% more likely to experience package theft than homeowners
• 71% of apartment renters want stronger security measures from management
• Multi-factor authentication and audit trails can reduce apartment crime incidents by up to 85%
• 71% of organizations experience physical breaches from tailgating

Property managers must balance safety with convenience while ensuring scalability across diverse housing formats. This is where smart intercom systems come in.

Multifamily properties are rapidly adopting smart building solutions, with 70% having access control systems and 92% equipped with intercoms in at least one property. And the demand is only growing—90% of multi-dwelling unit owners in the U.S. were planning to deploy, upgrade, or replace a smart building solution in 2025.

How Smart Intercom Systems Enhance Building Security

A smart intercom system is far more than a digital doorbell. It’s a comprehensive security platform that transforms how multifamily buildings manage access, verify visitors, and protect residents.

Modern IP-based video intercoms have evolved from simple communication devices into comprehensive security systems. They offer:

Security Feature	How It Improves Security
HD Video Verification	Residents see who’s at the door before granting access
Remote Access Control	Unlock doors from anywhere via smartphone
Digital Credentials	Eliminate lost/copied keys; instantly revoke access
Audit Trails	Every access event is logged with timestamps
Two-Way Communication	Speak with visitors without opening the door
Integration Capabilities	Connect with CCTV, elevators, and access control systems

Let’s explore each of these security benefits in detail.

Visual Verification: See Before You Let Anyone In

The most fundamental security improvement a smart intercom provides is visual verification. With a video intercom, residents can visually confirm who’s at the door before letting anyone in—delivery drivers, contractors, friends—no one slips in unnoticed.

This is a dramatic leap from audio-only systems, where residents had no way to verify a visitor’s identity before buzzing them in. Video intercoms provide an additional layer of security by allowing residents and building managers to visually verify visitors before granting access, reducing the risk of unauthorized entry and enhancing overall building safety.

In practice: When someone calls from any entrance, residents can see them, talk to them, and verify their identity before unlocking the door. The video streaming feature ensures users can always know who’s at their door, providing an added layer of security for apartment living.

The latest IP intercoms offer HD video and audio quality—a dramatic leap from the grainy 0.3-megapixel images of older systems to crisp 2, 5, or even 8-megapixel resolution. This enhancement transforms intercoms into effective video surveillance endpoints, capturing clear facial details and clothing descriptions at entry points.

Remote Access Control: Security from Anywhere

Remote access is another game-changing security feature. Residents can answer calls, visually verify visitors, and grant access remotely from anywhere in the world.

Imagine this scenario: a resident is out of town, but the dog-walker shows up. Or a cleaner needs in. Or a delivery comes when the resident’s at work. With a modern video intercom, residents just open the app, see the visitor, and buzz them in—wherever they are.

Security benefit: Remote access doesn’t sacrifice security for convenience—it enhances both simultaneously by providing flexible access management with complete audit trails. Residents can grant time-bound access to specific individuals and revoke it instantly when no longer needed.

Mobile-based access control systems are the fastest growing segment in multifamily security, with smartphones increasingly becoming the favored credential for building entry.

Deterrent Effect: Cameras Stop Crime Before It Starts

A camera at every perimeter door is more than just a tool—it’s a message. Criminals see it and think twice. A video intercom acts as a passive deterrent. Intruders looking to sneak in realize their every move will be captured and logged.

The presence of visible and robust video intercoms acts as a deterrent to potential intrusion, criminal, or anti-social activity. In apartment buildings and condominiums, smart intercoms serve as digital gatekeepers—their presence alone deters crime.

Nine times out of ten, would-be intruders will walk away before testing the door when they see a camera. And if something ever does go wrong? You’ve got high-quality, time-stamped footage to hand to law enforcement.

Temporary and Time-Bound Access for Contractors

Managing contractors, cleaners, and service providers is a major security challenge in multifamily buildings. Traditional systems offer little control—once someone has a key or code, they can come and go as they please.

Smart intercom systems solve this with temporary, time-bound access credentials.

Examples:

• Cleaners may be admitted five days each week between 6am and 9am. Their programmable credentials unlock site doors only during this window
• Electrical contractors can be issued with credentials valid for four days that automatically expire
• Any lost credential is quickly deleted from a connected digital system—it won’t unlock doors, providing building managers and tenants with peace of mind

This capability is particularly valuable for property managers who must coordinate access for plumbers, HVAC technicians, and many other service providers.

Eliminating Tailgating and Unauthorized Entry

Tailgating—when an unauthorized person follows an authorized resident through a door—is one of the most common security breaches in multifamily buildings. Research shows 71% of organizations experience physical breaches from tailgating.

Smart intercom systems help eliminate tailgating in several ways:

• Individual credentials ensure every entry is authenticated
• Video verification allows residents to see exactly who is requesting access
• Audit trails create accountability that deters unauthorized access
• Multi-factor authentication adds an additional layer of security

With a smart intercom, every entry is logged and accountable. This creates a culture of security where unauthorized access is immediately visible and traceable.

Digital Credentials vs. Traditional Keys

Traditional keys create persistent vulnerabilities. Keys are lost, copied, or unreturned when residents move. Former tenants retain unrestricted access, threatening new resident safety.

Issue	Traditional Keys	Digital Credentials
Lost keys	Anyone can use them	Instantly revoked
Copied keys	Impossible to prevent	Cannot be copied
Move-outs	Keys often not returned	Access instantly revoked
Cost	Rekeying costs $75-$250 per unit	No rekeying needed

The cost impact: A 50-unit property spends over $3,000 annually on rekeying alone. Digital credentials eliminate this expense entirely.

Modern smart credentials and mobile access are significantly more secure than older proximity cards, which can be easily cloned. Mobile credentials also address common concerns—NFC-enabled phones can unlock doors even when the battery is dead, and most people are far less likely to lose their phone than a physical key or fob.

Audit Trails and Activity Logs

Video intercom systems log every access event: who buzzed, when, and what was said. Modern smart intercoms can maintain a detailed audit log that records exactly who entered a property, the precise timestamp of entry, and the specific credential used.

This means:

• When packages go missing—you know who entered and when
• When disputes occur—you have timestamped evidence
• When incidents happen—you can identify who was on premises
• When residents complain—you have data to resolve issues

Traditional buzzer systems offer zero visibility into who’s entering the building, no audit trail, and no way for residents to verify a visitor’s identity before granting access.

Package Theft Prevention

Package theft is a growing concern in multifamily buildings. Apartment residents are 34.1% more likely to experience package theft than homeowners. Nationally, 37% of apartment renters reported package theft in the past year.

Smart intercom systems help prevent package theft through:

• Video verification of delivery personnel
• Remote access for delivery drivers
• Audit trails that log every delivery
• Integration with package rooms for secure storage

A video intercom system can help reduce lockouts, package theft, and emergency calls. Once the system is live, property managers can track performance metrics: Are package theft and unauthorized entries decreasing?

Some advanced systems even feature AI-powered package detection, detecting and safeguarding deliveries 24/7.

Integration with Broader Security Ecosystems

Modern IP intercoms don’t operate in isolation—they integrate seamlessly with broader security systems.

A critical advantage of IP systems is their interoperability through open standards like:

• Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) for voice/video calls
• ONVIF Profile T for video management integration
• SIA Open Supervised Device Protocol (OSDP) for access control

This means a smart intercom can function as part of a unified security ecosystem rather than an isolated device. It can integrate with:

Integration	Security Benefit
CCTV/Surveillance	Unified monitoring and recording
Elevator Control	Restrict access to specific floors
Access Control Systems	Centralized credential management
Smart Home Platforms	Automated security responses
Property Management Software	Streamlined operations

Integration with an elevator control system makes the entire system even more secure.

Why FARHD Is a Trusted Partner for Multifamily Security

With over 28 years of industry experience, FARHD is a leading Chinese manufacturer of video door phones and intercom systems that deliver the security benefits outlined above.

Full In-House R&D and Production: FARHD designs and manufactures everything from TFT LCD screens, driver boards, and camera modules to complete villa and apartment building intercom systems. This end-to-end control ensures quality and seamless integration at every stage.

Comprehensive Product Range:

• Wireless video doorbells
• 4-wire CVBS and AHD video doorbells
• 2-wire IP systems for villas and apartments
• IP-based systems for villas and apartments
• Audio intercom systems

Proven Track Record: FARHD has successfully completed over 10,000 large-scale building video intercom projects, including ultra-large communities with 1,000, 3,000, and even over 5,000 households.

Global Reach: FARHD provides SKD semi-knocked-down solutions to assembly factories across Europe, the Middle East, South America, Southeast Asia, the United States, Russia, India, Iran, Turkey, South Korea, and Italy.

International Certifications: Products hold CE, FCC, RoHS, IP65 water resistance, and EMC certifications.

OEM/ODM Services: Comprehensive customization including software and hardware development, UI design, functional module adjustments, and tailored packaging solutions.

After-Sales Support: A dedicated technical support group is established upon product delivery to assist with programming, device installation, and wiring connections throughout the process.

Scale: FARHD serves over 1,000 enterprises worldwide with an annual sales volume of 300,000 units.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a smart intercom system really reduce crime?

Yes. Multi-factor authentication and audit trails can reduce apartment crime incidents by up to 85% by creating accountability that deters unauthorized access. The presence of visible cameras alone acts as a powerful deterrent.

How does a smart intercom prevent tailgating?

By requiring individual credentials for every entry and providing video verification, smart intercoms make it much harder for unauthorized individuals to follow residents through doors. Every access event is logged, creating accountability.

What happens if a resident loses their phone?

Mobile credentials can be instantly revoked and reissued. Unlike physical keys, lost digital credentials pose no security risk because they are immediately deactivated.

Can contractors get temporary access?

Yes. Smart intercom systems allow property managers to issue time-bound credentials that automatically expire. This eliminates the security risk of permanent keys for temporary workers.

Does a smart intercom work during a power outage?

Most systems include backup batteries in outdoor stations and fail-safe lock mechanisms (e.g., mechanical key overrides) so that emergency exit and entry remain possible.

How much does a smart intercom system cost?

Costs vary based on building size and system complexity. While upfront costs for IP systems are higher than analog alternatives, they offer stronger long-term value through reduced staffing needs, eliminated rekeying costs, and enhanced security.

Conclusion

Smart intercom systems are transforming security in multifamily buildings. By enabling visual verification, remote access control, digital credentials, audit trails, and integration with broader security ecosystems, they address the unique security challenges that apartment buildings face.

The data is clear:

• 92% of multifamily properties now have intercoms
• Mobile-based access control is the fastest-growing segment in the industry
• Security cameras and access control are among the top three most desired amenities for prospective renters

Investing in a smart intercom system isn’t just a security upgrade—it’s a strategic decision that enhances property value, attracts higher-paying tenants, and gives residents the peace of mind they expect in 2026 and beyond.

Ready to enhance security at your multifamily property? Contact FARHD for a customized video intercom solution tailored to your building’s needs.

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This guide is brought to you by FARHD—your partner in smart video intercom solutions for multifamily properties worldwide.