Your Owners Corporation will be equipped with some basic security measures. These measures differ between properties and may be simply locks on front doors, CCTV, or sometimes Concierge Services.

While various security measures are in place for your property, it is important to remember that there will unfortunately always be opportunities for people to gain access to the property. Remember: locks only keep honest people out.

To limit the chance of theft and property damage in your Owners Corporation, there are some simple steps every resident can take which will reduce temptation and opportunity, helping to keep the property secure:

• Always ensure that common area access doors/gates close following each use and avoid holding doors open for anybody you do not know. When using vehicle gates, wait to see that the gate has closed behind you before proceeding to your car park or before driving away from the property.
• Do not allow any unknown persons (including door to door salespeople or persons claiming to be residents) into your building/property if propositioned on the street or via the intercom system.
• Where possible, please do not allow food or parcel delivery drivers access into your building/property as they may be followed through access doors. Instead, make your way down to the front of the property to accept any deliveries.
• Never place or leave any keys, remotes or access FOBs in mailboxes or any other external locations which can be accessed using force.
• Vehicles must ALWAYS be secured when parked inside the property. Remember – look, lock, leave.
• Under no circumstance should any keys, remotes or access FOBs to your property be stored or left inside vehicles.
• Ensure all items of intrinsic value or of a tempting nature are removed from vehicles when leaving your car inside your property.
• Ensure your storage cage/area is closed and locked with a quality padlock at all times, even if you are not storing any items within.
• Ensure items of intrinsic value or of a tempting nature are not kept within storage cages or other areas of the common property.
• Residents may consider implementing a level of personal insurance for any items contained within apartments and storage cages. Broadly speaking, an Owners Corporations Building Insurance Policy will not extend to residents personal effects or belongings.
• Never leave any personal effects in common property areas at any time.
• If you notice any security door or vehicle gate is not closing properly, contact your manager as soon as possible so repairs may be organised without delay.
• If you notice that another residents vehicle or storage cage/area appears to be damaged and you are unable to locate them or notify them, contact the manager as soon as possible.
• Should you happen to notice anybody damaging property or attempting to break into your Owners Corporation, do not approach them under any circumstances. Always contact 000 immediately and keep at a safe distance. You should also report the matter to the manager at your earliest availability so the incident may be documented.
• Should you happen to notice any other resident not taking reasonable security precautions, you can always politely remind them of the need for a secure property, or, contact your manager to report any concern so it may be addressed.
• If at any time you notice suspicious persons loitering inside or around your property, or, any unusual behaviour, you can contact your local police station and request a patrol and/or advice.

Most importantly, if you ever feel unsafe with a situation occurring in or around your home, reach out to a friend, to a neighbour, or, to the police if you need immediate support.