CPTED ASSESSMENTS FOR MULTIFAMILY RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY

Florida State Statute 768.0706 (Florida House Bill 837) requires owners or principal operators of a multifamily residential property with five or more units, to include apartments, townhouses and condominiums, to have a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) assessment with a law enforcement agency or FCP by January 1, 2025, to have a presumption against liability for third-party crimes on the premises.

Properties must be compliant in seven key areas to include:

• Security camera placement
• Parking lot lighting
• Lighting in key public areas of the property
• Deadbolt on dwelling unit doors and non-community doors requirements
• Window & Sliding Glass Door lock hardware
• Pool area access control requirements
• Peephole requirements

All property employees must receive crime prevention and safety training within 60 days of hiring.

While the state statute only requires compliance with the aforementioned key areas, it is always recommended that a property receives a completed CPTED assessment.  CPTED uses four primary strategies to combat crime and promote safety: Natural Access Control, Natural Surveillance, Territorial Reinforcement, and Maintenance.  A CPTED assessment will give you a better understanding and overall picture of your security level and provide recommendations to make your property safer.