Security Cameras for an Apartment Building (Multi-Tenant Setup)

Apartment CCTV covers every shared point — entrances, lobbies, corridors, bin stores and resident parking — on a PoE edge sized for the building.

Published 2026-08-14

Security Cameras for an Apartment Building (Multi-Tenant Setup)

Apartment and condo buildings need coverage at every shared point: entry doors, lobby, lifts, corridors, bin stores and resident parking. PoE scales cleanly to that.

Zones to cover

Prioritise the main entrance, each floor lobby or corridor, and the car park. Domes suit ceilings and lobbies (discreet, tamper-resistant); bullets cover long corridors and gates. For a mid building, an 8-channel NVR plus an 16-port PoE switch covers the core.

Scale to the building

Larger blocks need a 24-port switch (440W, SFP uplinks) and a bigger NVR, with one PoE port per camera and an uplink per zone. See our switch buying guide for port math.

Privacy boundaries

Point cameras at shared spaces only — never into flats. Keep lenses on entrances, lobbies and exits. A vandal cage protects exposed domes.

Power the edges

Run Cat6 per camera to a switch per floor or riser. For distant blocks or a separate car park, bridge with a wireless bridge.

Frequently asked

How many cameras does an apartment building need?

One per entrance, one per floor lobby/corridor, plus coverage of lifts, bin stores and resident parking. A small block fits an 8-channel NVR; a full building needs a 16–24 port PoE switch and a larger NVR.

Can apartment cameras record audio?

Laws vary; in shared areas keep to video and post signage. Add a <a href="/product/cctv-audio-microphone">microphone</a> only where local rules and tenant consent allow.

Are SurveilForge accessories compatible with Hikvision, Dahua and Axis cameras?

Yes — they follow open surveillance standards (IEEE 802.3af/at PoE, RJ45, BNC, DC 12V/24V) and work with any brand using those standards, including Hikvision, Dahua and Axis. SurveilForge is an independent brand, not affiliated with any camera OEM.