Apartment Crime Prevention Programs

Many apartment owners and law enforcement agencies in the U.S. are promoting a crime prevention program known as "Crime Free Multi Housing".

This program calls for the certification of rental properties by meeting certain physical condition and social standards designed to enhance a property's safety. These standards include security management, exterior lighting and door, window and lock guideline compliance.

We believe this program is generally in the best interest of residential renters. Where we differ with apartment owners, however, is in the "Crime Prevention Lease Addendum" that is considered an integral part of the program. In summary, the Lease Addendum puts all the responsibility for crime prevention on the tenant. We'd like to see the Lease Addendum upgraded to include the landlord's responsibilities as well. This would include legally binding assurances that the property's physical crime prevention standards are maintained and that reported crime occurances are communicated to tenants as they occur.

The ATA believes that it is the landlord's, and not the tenant's, primary responsibility to maintain an apartment community that is safe, habitable and secure.

You can view a copy of Arizona's Lease Addendum by following this link:
www.crimedoctor.com/crimefree2.htm