7 Ways Strata Councils Can Improve Strata Security in BC

Strata security is one of the most common concerns raised by owners across BC, especially in buildings with busy entrances, shared parkades, or high foot traffic in the surrounding neighbourhood.  While every property is different, most break-ins and disturbances tend to follow familiar patterns, and councils are often the first group residents look to for leadership. 

Improving security doesn’t require sweeping changes – small, well-chosen steps can make a meaningful difference in how safe a building feels day to day.  But there are also limits to what a strata can achieve in the current social environment.

1. Identify the Building’s Security Gaps

A clear starting point for improving strata security is understanding where issues are most likely to occur. Common areas to review in BC buildings include:

• Main entrances and lobby access – high foot traffic, frequent visitor flow, and potential for tailgating.
• Parkades – often semi-open, with multiple access points and limited visibility in certain sections.
• Bike rooms and storage areas – frequent targets due to lower traffic and valuable items stored inside.
• Mail and delivery rooms – increased courier activity creates more opportunities for unauthorized entry.
• Side doors and service exits – can be overlooked, under-lit, or used inconsistently.

Councils can strengthen their understanding by:

• Reviewing recent concerns or incident patterns with the strata manager
• Walking the property during different times of day
• Noting doors that don’t close fully, lighting gaps, or blind corners
• Gathering owner input on areas that feel less secure

This simple scan helps strata councils prioritize improvements based on the building’s actual conditions and day-to-day use.

2. Strengthen Access Control to Key Areas

One of the most effective ways to improve strata security is by tightening access to the areas people move through most often. In many BC buildings, fob systems, garage clickers, and temporary access codes can remain active long after they should have been removed. Regular housekeeping in this area helps the council maintain a clear picture of who can actually enter the property.

Simple steps make a major impact. Depending on their technology, Councils can review the current fob or access list and remove old or inactive permissions, especially for former residents, outdated contractors, or long-expired guest passes. Reissuing fobs or modernizing the system can also give the building better control over how people access parkades, lobbies, and shared rooms.

Even modest updates to access processes can significantly reduce unwanted entry and create a safer, more predictable environment for residents.

3. Improve Lighting and Visibility Throughout the Property

Enhancing lighting is one of the fastest ways to strengthen strata security, especially in areas that see high movement or limited natural visibility. Councils can focus on a few simple upgrades:

• Brighten parkade lighting to reduce blind spots and make vehicle areas feel safer at night.  
• Install motion-activated fixtures in stairwells, pathways, and lesser-used access points.
• Check exterior sightlines and trim back landscaping that blocks windows, entrances, or walkways.
• Upgrade outdated fixtures to modern LED options for better coverage and energy efficiency.
• Address slow-to-activate or frequently failing bulbs by ensuring maintenance schedules are consistent.

These changes require minimal disruption but often result in a noticeable improvement in safety and comfort for residents.

4. Review and Optimize the Camera Setup

Many BC stratas already have cameras, but they’re not always positioned, or maintained, in ways that actually support better strata security. Instead of adding more cameras, councils often get better results by taking a closer look at how the existing system is being used.  

Check whether cameras cover the right areas.

Bike rooms, parkade entrances, mail rooms, and ground-level access points are common areas where activity happens but visibility is limited. Simply adjusting the angle or relocating a camera can make coverage far more effective.

Assess the quality and reliability of the footage.

Older cameras may capture images that are too grainy to be useful, especially in low-light areas. Reviewing a sample of the footage can help the council determine whether an upgrade is needed.

Comply with privacy legislation for video surveillance. 

The use of security cameras in stratas is extensively governed by privacy legislation.   For example, it cannot be used for minor bylaw enforcement, and before installing a video surveillance system, the strata corporation must pass a bylaw authorizing its implementation.  It’s a complicated topic that will be the subject of a future blog post.  For now, review the privacy considerations from the privacy commissioner and from CHOA, and ask your strata manager and lawyer for guidance. 

Keep the system maintained.

Cleaning lenses, tightening loose mounts, and checking connections are small tasks that help the system perform as intended.  

5. Reduce Opportunity for Break-Ins Through Environmental Design

Environmental design doesn’t replace cameras or access control systems, but it creates a space that’s easier to monitor and harder to misuse – making it a strong complement to other strata security efforts.

6. Build a Security-Aware Resident Community

Even the best physical upgrades won’t go far if residents aren’t aligned. One of the most effective ways to improve strata security is through clear, consistent communication that helps owners and tenants understand how their everyday actions affect the building.

A security-aware community typically includes:

• Clear reminders about building access, especially around not letting unknown individuals follow them into secured areas.
  
• Simple reporting channels so residents know exactly how to flag broken doors, poor lighting, or suspicious activity
  
• Regular updates from council or the strata manager on completed or planned security improvements
  
• Consistent messaging in notices, emails, or meeting minutes so expectations don’t change from month to month
  
• Reassurance that concerns are taken seriously, even when no immediate action is required

When residents know what to watch for and how to communicate concerns, councils receive better information and can respond more effectively. Over time, this shared awareness becomes one of the strongest supports for long-term strata security, all without requiring additional infrastructure or expense.

7. Work With Professionals Who Understand BC Buildings

Strata councils don’t need to solve security challenges on their own. Many improvements to strata security are most effective when informed by professionals who understand the design, usage patterns, and risks common in BC buildings.

Depending on the issue, councils may benefit from input from:

• Strata managers, who often see recurring security issues across multiple buildings and can help prioritize practical fixes
  
• Locksmiths or access-control specialists, particularly when systems are outdated or permissions need restructuring
  
• Electricians, for lighting upgrades in parkades, stairwells, and exterior pathways
  
• Security contractors, when a broader review of access, visibility, and movement patterns is needed

The value here isn’t complexity, it’s perspective. Professionals can help councils identify gaps they may overlook and suggest improvements that align with how the building is actually used. When recommendations are reviewed and approved collectively, councils stay in control of decisions while benefiting from experienced guidance.

This collaborative approach supports long-term strata security without placing unnecessary responsibility on individual council members.

How C&C Supports Strata Councils

Effective strata security relies on clear processes, consistent communication, and informed decision-making. C&C supports strata councils by helping create the structure needed to manage building priorities confidently, from coordinating professionals to keeping council discussions focused and productive. 

With a strong understanding of BC strata operations, C&C helps councils approach security improvements in a practical, organized way that aligns with the realities of shared living spaces.