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Our bldg's front door has a standard mechanical lock. We're thinking about an electronic lock that uses a card, not a key. Shs make keys so friends/relatives can use the apt if they visit NYC or whenever they need a place a stay. Sublet tenants who move out or workmen doing renos don't return keys to Shs. Shs get roommates (which is allowed) but don't tell us. We ask them repeatedly to tell our prop mgr or the super about a new roommate, etc., for security purposes but they seldom do. We're seeing too many people with keys whom we don't recognize, and we don't want this to continue.
Anyone have an electronic card lock for their front door? A digital keypad is too easy - Shs can give anyone the combo. With a card lock, you need a "master" card (which our prop mgr would keep) to make duplicate cards. Approx how much does a card lock cost? Appreciate any info. Thanks.
we have a fob system but all the fobs are programmed the same. I'm sure there is a way to make each one different but that requires not only programming the fob but programming the door as well. You could get a different fob for each shareholder and and a different one for a shareholder's cleaning person and only allow access to the building for the cleaning person's fob 9-5 Monday to Friday but someone is going to have to program the door too. That means a (expensive) computer controlled door and telephone lines to dial in and program it.
Just as an aside I discovered that my fob opens the doors to the showers at my friend's marina in Port Washington so don't count a really high degree of security unless you do program everything
We invested the money once. Got the right equipment and our system works great on 6 doors. Every door is assigned different codes and hours of use by different access groups etc.
There is no short cuts when it comes to security and doing something right the first time saves in the long run.
Pg
We put them in our building for same reasons that yours and many were sceptics. I have to say that since we bagan to use this system everyone is happy. They do work very well and make life easier. The only other consideration is that they work with electric and in case of blackout you are locked in your building....
Miriam
In NYC it is probably illegal to have a electronic door lock that remains locked when the power is off.
The lock should be made that in the event of a power failure the lock remains off.
You would have a big problem in the event of fire and the lose of life if persons could not get out.
Many times I have thought of this as a good way of controlling entry. However, there are those who can leave the door open by blocking it for friends too!
We have a regular key, and I agree with BP. However, if we ever change our locks (we cannot go for a keyless systems because our building does not have other doors leading from the interior stairs to the outside) I will have a $500 deposit for keys that do not reproduce. Right now a $15 deposit is NOTHING, so keys are lost and given to the dogs.
A steep deposit will ensure that the keys are returned and only one extra key may be obtained for an outside family member.
AdC
I have them in several buildings. I am installing a new system in another building as we speak.
What we do is separate access for different people as follows:
Nanny’s/Housekeepers 7am-7pm
Contractors - 8:30am-5pm
Shareholders - 24/7
All fobs are numbered and we know who has which number and who enters (via the fob reg #) at any given time. The fob access may be changed or shut at any time if lost or stolen, etc. If you have access panels in the laundry area, storage area and others, you can permit access in one area and limit the other which is really cool also (would be good for the other poster who wanted to provide free laundry to residents)
So, the level of security is fabulous... it also helps against illegal subletting...
It's a little more work, but I'm an advocate
~AR
Since I live in the building, it is my duty and right to politely question ANY strangers I see in the building. Nine times out of ten they are guests who are not escorted by the shareholders in the building. We tell the shareholders to accompany their guests in the common areas, so they won't get questioned. We have a right to know who lives in our building and using our facilities whether the shareholder(s) tell us or not. Our right to protect our property supersedes a shareholder's right to hide their roommates. You don't know who they are giving shelter to. A roommate should not want to hide from the BOD.
And we still use keys for the front door.
Several apartments in our building were burglarized by someone posing as an evicted roommate several years ago. If we had prior knowledge of all roommates in the building, this person would have been caught. It's a question of security.
Forgive me V but what point were you trying to get across. The question asked was about some sort of "key track system".
Mike.
Well we still have keys! I don't think we are getting an electronic system for the front door and with all the extra people in the building, keys should do just fine for now. I would not recommend an electronic system.
Know who lives in your building!
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dont go with a card go with a Fob. A fob is a 25Cent size disk that goes on a key chain and you just touch it with a magnetic reader. They are in expensive. However you do need a computer and programe to progame each fob as needed. We have such a system for the roof terrence and all mechanical areas. The fob report who entered what and when etc.
Pg
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