How Commercial Tenants Should Evaluate Building Security

When evaluating a commercial space for lease, most tenants focus on square footage, layout, parking, and price. Security often does not make the checklist until after signing, when problems emerge. By then, you have limited leverage to demand improvements. Here is what to assess before committing.

Access Control Systems

Start at the front door. How do people enter the building during and after business hours? Is there a key card system, a code, or just a lock? Can tenants control who has access to their specific suite? Multi-tenant buildings should have layered access: building entry, floor access, and suite access.

Ask the landlord: Who manages the access control system? How quickly can you add or remove credentials when employees join or leave? Is there a log of entries that can be reviewed if needed?

After-Hours Security

If you plan to work evenings or weekends, understand what security coverage exists during those hours. Is there a security officer on-site? Is the building locked down with only tenant access permitted? How do visitors gain entry after hours?

Buildings with no after-hours security presence rely entirely on access control and alarms. That can be sufficient for some tenants, but businesses handling cash, sensitive data, or valuable inventory may want additional coverage.

Lighting and Visibility

Walk the property at night. Is the parking area well-lit? Are walkways and building entrances visible? Poor lighting is both a safety hazard and a security vulnerability. Criminals prefer darkness. Make sure the property does not provide it.

Also check camera coverage. Are there visible cameras at entry points and in common areas? Are they maintained and functional? Cameras alone do not prevent crime, but they document incidents and can deter opportunistic offenders.

Neighborhood Context

The building does not exist in isolation. What is the crime pattern in the surrounding area? A building with excellent internal security situated in a high-crime corridor still exposes tenants to risk in parking areas and during arrival and departure.

Ask the landlord about security incidents in the past year. A landlord reluctant to discuss this may be hiding problems. A landlord who can speak candidly about challenges and what they have done to address them is demonstrating transparency.

Emergency Preparedness

Understand the building emergency protocols. Where are fire exits? Is there an emergency communication system? Does the landlord have procedures for severe weather, active threat situations, or medical emergencies?

For multi-tenant buildings, ask whether there is a tenant safety committee or regular communication about security matters. Buildings that take this seriously typically have structured channels for tenant input.

Negotiating Security Improvements

If your assessment reveals gaps, you may be able to negotiate improvements as part of the lease. Common requests include: upgraded access control for your suite, additional lighting in parking areas, security camera coverage near your entrance, or dedicated security patrol coverage during specific hours.

Landlords motivated to secure a quality tenant will often accommodate reasonable security requests, especially if the improvements benefit the building long-term.

When to Bring in a Professional

For larger leases or businesses with specific security needs, consider hiring a security consultant to assess the property before signing. The cost of a professional assessment is modest compared to the cost of a lease commitment in a building with inadequate security.

Shield of Steel provides security assessments for commercial tenants evaluating potential spaces in the Memphis area. Call (202) 222-2225 or contact us to schedule an evaluation.