Florida law gives owners of apartment and condo properties a strong legal defense against negligent security lawsuits, but only if the property meets a specific security checklist.
Under Florida Statute 768.0706, owners of multifamily properties with 5 or more units are presumed not liable for crimes committed by third parties if they have substantially put these measures in place.
The required security measures
- Security cameras at entry and exit points, with footage kept and retrievable for at least 30 days
- Parking lot lighting of at least 1.8 foot-candles, measured 18 inches above the ground, from dusk to dawn
- Lighting in walkways, laundry rooms, common areas and porches, from dusk to dawn
- 1-inch deadbolts on every unit’s entry door
- Locks on windows and exterior sliding doors
- Locked pool gates with key or fob access
- Peepholes on unit doors that do not have a window
The assessment and training rules
- CPTED assessment: a Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design assessment, no older than 3 years, from a law enforcement agency or a designated Florida CPTED Practitioner
- Employee training: crime deterrence and safety training for current employees, and for new hires within 60 days
Where properties fall short
- Lights that are burned out or on the wrong timer
- Cameras that record over footage in less than 30 days
- Pool gates that do not latch
- CPTED assessments done for the January 2025 deadline that will expire by early 2028
How Atack can help
Atack’s security consulting team can walk your property, flag gaps against the checklist and help you fix them before a formal assessment. We also provide armed and unarmed officers for properties that need a visible presence.
Manage an apartment or condo community? Contact Atack Protection Group or call (954) 559-0486 for a free, confidential consultation.
Sources
This article is general information, not legal advice. Talk to a Florida attorney about your situation.