Access control for multi-tenant office buildings
For property managers and landlords in Alberta and BC running office buildings with more than one tenant.
The quick answer
Run one access control system for the building, with the landlord controlling the base building doors and each tenant managing its own suite doors and people. Many platforms let you split the system so each tenant sees only its own doors and users. Add elevator control, a visitor process and a clear move-in and move-out routine.
Who controls what
| Area | Usually controlled by |
|---|---|
| Main entrances and lobby | The landlord or property manager, with building-wide schedules and holiday hours. |
| Parkade and loading dock | The landlord, with access given to each tenant’s staff and deliveries. |
| Elevators | The landlord, with each tenant’s staff allowed to their own floors after hours. |
| Suite doors | Each tenant, adding and removing its own staff. |
| Shared amenity rooms | The landlord, with bookings or schedules for each tenant. |
One system, split by tenant
Separate systems for every tenant mean more readers, more software and more for the property manager to keep track of. One system split by tenant keeps the building’s doors in one place while each tenant runs its own suite. How the split works depends on the platform: many, including cloud-managed ones, let you give each tenant its own admin view. We confirm what yours can do during design.
Visitors, couriers and after hours
A video intercom at the main door can call the right tenant directly, and visitor passes or phone credentials can let guests in for a set time. Couriers can be routed to a mailroom or parcel lockers instead of every floor. After hours, readers and elevator control keep each tenant to its own floors.
Move-ins, move-outs and lease changes
Write down who adds and removes users for each tenant, how fobs or phone credentials are handed out and collected, and what happens to a suite’s access when a lease ends. A short routine prevents former tenants and staff keeping access long after they leave.
Safety and the rest of the building
Fire alarm release for doors and stairwells is planned with your fire alarm company. For buildings that need a roll call in an evacuation, a muster system can use the same badges. Cameras at the entrances and dock, connected to the doors, bring up video for any door event. See office security.
Stuck with an old system?
If tenants share one admin login or nobody can add users, we can take over, fix and document the system.
Access control near you: EdmontonCalgaryRed DeerKelowna. See also office security and Genetec vs Avigilon Alta
Stuck with a system nobody will fix?
We repair and take over cameras, access control, intercoms and alarms installed by other companies, when your current provider has fallen short.
Help: Export Avigilon video
Questions
Can each tenant manage its own staff?
On many platforms, yes. Each tenant gets its own admin view for its doors and users, while the landlord keeps control of the building.
Should each tenant have its own system?
Usually not. One system split by tenant is simpler to run and support, and keeps the base building doors in one place.
How do visitors get to the right tenant?
A video intercom at the main door can call the tenant directly, and visitor passes or phone credentials can let guests in for a set time.
Can elevators be limited to each tenant’s floors?
Yes. Elevator control can limit each tenant’s staff to their own floors, usually after hours.
What happens when a tenant moves out?
Their users and credentials are removed, and their suite doors go back to the landlord. A written routine keeps it from being missed.
Can you take over the system we have?
Yes. We take over access control installed by other companies and regain admin access where you own the system.
Do we get admin access?
Yes. We hand over admin access and full documentation on every project.
More answers: Access control questionsGlossary: credentialfail-safe vs fail-secure
Get an office access control quote
Tell us about the building, the number of tenants and doors. We’ll follow up to book a site visit.
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