As far as Cyprus is concerned, gated projects is a recent development which has come about by the increasing crime (thefts) and the need of having an increased feeling of security. We can say that these gated need for protection started approximately 15 years ago and as time passes, more and more projects feel the need to have this facility, which, also adds to the project’s selling points.

We wish to share our experience with you, however, on the plusses and minuses of such gated/electrically controlled entrances of projects.

Plusses:
- There is a feeling of added security and privacy
- Unwanted visitors are kept away as well as speedy traffic
- Traffic is reduced to local residents and their visitors only
- Camera can be installed to coincide with the door openings adding to the secured feeling
- etc

Minuses:
- An evident initial cost of around €2500 (total for all project)
- Estimate for annual maintenance expenses around €300 (total)
- Visitors/owners with no code/forgot the code or the remote control as well as pool cleaners/gardeners and others have no problem in bashing the door open.
- Visitors who are left outside the gate if for any reason the gate is not operational. Imagine if this happens at 2.30 in the morning on your return from abroad!!
A most suitable system which we find that it fits the local requirements is the following:
- Place an electrically controlled gate which operates by code as well as by remote control.
- Place an intercom from the gate to each and every house (expensive).
- Make sure that there is a secured box with the key of the gate which cancels the electricity, so that if there is something wrong with the gate/electricity, you have a way out/in.
- Make sure that you have an electric eye on the way out, so that the door opens automatically.
- Make sure that next to the gate there is another persons’ gate operated manually for visitors and others (1 meter wide).
- Inside the project and on a permanent position place an added door/gate key and instructions in several languages for the residents.
- Avoid the bar and place a gate 2 meters height made of steel.
- etc

We have several projects under our management, 5 of which are gated. We have constant problems with 2 of the gates caused by people, including local residents (regrettably) trying to force their way in/out. In one project we have a camera (additional €2.000 cost), but we have complains by some of the residents that we are invading their privacy (there is no pleasing).

There is not easy way out we are afraid other than keep the doors open until dark and have it operational after. In this way the main traffic will not cause access problems, pool cleaners, gardeners, suppliers etc, but at night, residents feel more secured. People with gated projects must learn to live with them, since if no intercom and codes etc, one must give away the code and within 2-3 months just about everybody knows it. If you try to change the code from time to time, you will realize how many people do not bother to update themselves. Remote control gadget is a solution but then you must always remember to have it attached to the house door key ring. We will not forget our Dutch client who just arrived at Larnaca airport (with few drinks on him) not remembering the code, but remembered oddly enough our administrator’s telephone number and demanded that at 2.30 am he should open the gate. This might be a problem but other than this sort of thing the plusses have it.

We must repeat our previous advice, that placing aluminium shutters outside your home and/or place a burglar alarm (cost around €1.000 per unit) and have it connected with the Police/friend when you are not in the house. Regrettably during these difficult times in the local/world economy, crime is on the up and we have to take care of life and property.

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