Key Takeaways:

• Bundling access control and video surveillance boosts operational efficiency and resident satisfaction.
• Properties save money by keeping existing hardware and reducing guard reliance.
• Unified platforms minimize service tickets and improve oversight portfolio-wide.
• Modern video and access systems can deliver measurable ROI—without major capital outlays.
• See how to get more from your current security investment.

What Does Security ROI Look Like in 2025?

In today’s multifamily environment, building security isn’t just a cost center—it’s a brand experience. From smart intercoms to real-time monitoring, the technology you implement doesn’t just protect—it influences retention, operational costs, and long-term asset value.

But for many properties, security systems are still fragmented. Access control is handled by one vendor. Video surveillance is another. Intercom? A third. This siloed approach creates inefficiencies that quietly drain resources—and limit the impact of your investment.

It doesn’t have to be this way.

By bundling access, video surveillance, and intercom into a single platform, multifamily operators can unlock five major ROI wins—without ripping out existing infrastructure or making a massive upfront spend.

1. Keep Your Hardware. Gain Better Performance.

One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is that better security requires new infrastructure. In reality, most multifamily properties already have a solid foundation: cameras, access control readers, and intercom wiring. What they’re missing is integration.

When you unify those systems under one platform:

• You gain centralized control across all entry points.
• You access synchronized access and video event data in real time.
• You simplify operations for staff across locations.

Multifamily security modernization doesn’t mean starting over—it means making what you already own work smarter.

2. Cut Guard Costs—Without Cutting Corners

A typical on-site guard can cost between $50,000 and $70,000 per year per location (Allied Universal, 2024). While guards play an important role in certain situations, they’re expensive, sometimes inconsistent, and not always scalable across multiple buildings.

AI-powered video surveillance and remote video monitoring are now viable replacements—or smart supplements—at a fraction of the cost.

Benefits include:

• 24/7 monitoring  without 24/7 staffing.
• Voice-down deterrence for real-time incident engagement.
• Smarter coverage that doesn’t rely on human availability.

This kind of modern video guarding can reduce false alarms, speed up incident response, and cut reliance on costly patrols or overnight guards.

3. Reduce Service Tickets and Support Headaches

When your intercom, video surveillance, and access control come from different vendors, who do you call when something goes wrong?

Fragmented systems mean:

• Longer support times.
• Blame games between vendors.
• Duplicate tickets for the same issue.

Bundling systems under one roof simplifies support dramatically:

• One help desk.
• One point of accountability.
• Fewer service interruptions.

You’re not just reducing ticket volume—you’re increasing system uptime, which directly impacts the resident experience and team productivity.

4. Improve Resident Satisfaction (And Retention)

Today’s residents expect their building to work like the rest of their digital lives: seamless, intuitive, and mobile.

Outdated intercoms, spotty video coverage, or lagging access control can lead to complaints that affect reviews, renewals, and referrals. On the flip side, modern, unified systems lead to faster resolution times, easier access for guests and deliveries, and less operational friction.

Unified security systems deliver:

• Consistent experiences across entrances and amenities.
• Mobile-enabled access and video verification.
• Proactive security presence residents can see and trust.

The result? Fewer complaints. Better reviews. Higher retention.

5. Extend Value—Without Capital Outlay

One of the most overlooked ROI opportunities in multifamily security is the ability to increase the performance of existing technology—without increasing capital expenditure.

When you unify systems:

• You extend the life of current hardware.
• You modernize with software integrations instead of hardware replacements.
• You scale more easily across your portfolio with standardized policies and processes.

Rather than managing multiple vendors, you’re managing a security program. That gives you clarity, predictability, and measurable impact.

And when it’s time to grow, it’s far easier to scale—because you’re not reinventing the security wheel with every new asset.

The Bottom Line: Smarter Security Pays Off

Bundling video, intercom, and access control under one managed platform isn’t just about convenience. It’s a strategic shift toward simpler operations, higher performance, and stronger returns—all without ripping out what you already have.

If you’re already trusting a provider for access control, the smartest next step is to expand that partnership to cover your full security ecosystem.

At Kastle, we work with most existing hardware to make your building smarter—without disruption. You get one contract, one support team, and one dashboard to manage it all.

Ready to see where you can save and streamline? Request a free security review