How Trespassing Impacts Multifamily Property Security

_{By Whitney Fraser. Whitney  is the Vice President of Multifamily & Real Estate Sales at Cloudastructure, where she leads enterprise sales efforts. Through strategic account leadership and strong customer relationships. With experience spanning software sales at RealPage and operations in property management, Whitney brings a unique blend of operational insight and technical acumen to her role. She’s an occasional contributor on multifamilyinsiders.com as well.Whitney was recognized as a winner for Female Executive of the Year at the Stevie Awards™ for Women in Business in 2022—an honor validating her leadership and impact on Cloudastructure’s growth trajectory.}

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The Multifamily Crime Poll (MFCP) recently surveyed property managers to do a deeper drive into the issue of trespassing. Turns out trespassing isn’t just a minor inconvenience—it has serious effects on both operations and reputation. More than three-quarters of property managers (76%) spend up to three hours every week handling trespassing incidents, and 15% spend over ten hours. These are hours that could otherwise go toward leasing, maintenance, or resident engagement, increasing both risk exposure and operational costs.

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Operational and Human Impact

Trespassing affects property and people. When asked about the biggest issue with trespassers:

• 54% cited resident safety concerns.
  
• 46% experienced stress, higher costs, and lower resident satisfaction.
  
• 31% noted increased staff stress.
  
• 23% reported higher maintenance and repair costs.
  
• 23% observed negative effects on resident satisfaction and online reviews.
  

When residents feel unsafe, retention drops, and online reviews can suffer—directly impacting property reputation.

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Limitations of Traditional Guard Services

While guards can deter some activity, the MFCP shows mixed results:

• 25% find guards very effective and worth the cost.
  
• 25% see partial effectiveness but question the cost.
  
• 13% find guards ineffective.
  
• 38% do not use guard services at all.
  

This is unsurprising. High cost, limited coverage, and reactive responses make traditional guards insufficient for modern multifamily security needs.

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Reputation Risk from Trespassing

More than half of property managers (54%) say trespassing frequently damages online reviews and reputation, and another 29% say it happens sometimes. With over 80% of renters checking reviews before signing a lease, even isolated incidents can signal neglect and erode trust.

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Proactive Security Solutions with AI Surveillance and Remote Guarding

Modern multifamily properties need scalable, proactive security. AI surveillance detects suspicious activity in real time, while remote guarding allows immediate intervention—even in remote locations. Together, these solutions reduce trespassing, protect residents, and preserve property reputation.

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Key Takeaways

• Trespassing drains staff time, reducing productivity and increasing operational risk.
  
• Safety concerns and stress affect residents, staff, and property reputation.
  
• Traditional guard services are often expensive, inconsistent, and reactive.
  
• Online reviews are directly impacted, influencing leasing decisions.
  
• AI surveillance and remote guarding provide scalable, proactive, and cost-effective protection for residents and property.
  
  

Conclusion

The Multifamily Crime Poll confirms that trespassing and property security issues are more than operational headaches—they threaten resident safety, satisfaction, and property value. Investing in AI-driven surveillance and remote guarding gives property managers a proactive approach to mitigate risk, protect residents, and maintain trust. In today’s competitive multifamily market, advanced security solutions are essential for operational efficiency and long-term property reputation.

Want to learn more about Remote Guarding. Book aCall!

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