A Brief Guide to Safety and Condo Living in Manila
As a resident in Manila, you may be wondering what your safest option is when it comes to housing. Are apartments or single-detached houses better? What about condominiums?
Truthfully, there is no one definitive answer to this question. It largely depends on the specific building and its security features. However, in general, condominiums can provide a much safer living environment than apartments or single-detached houses. This is thanks to three primary factors: community, concierge services, and security features.
In this article, we’ll go through each of these factors and help you navigate your way towards a safe and secure condo in Manila.
Building a Sense of Community
One of the main benefits of condo living is that it fosters a sense of community. This is because residents are typically drawn from similar backgrounds, age groups, and professions. As a result, they often have more in common with one another than those who live in other types of housing.
This sense of community can be incredibly beneficial, as it provides a strong support network for residents. This can lead to people keeping an eye out for one another and being more proactive in reporting any suspicious activity in the condo building’s premises. In addition, a strong community can also provide social and emotional support in times of need. When faced with difficult situations – such as an intruder or a fire – people within a community are more likely to come together and help one another.
In terms of safety and security in one’s home, having the opportunity to build a sense of community with fellow residents in a condo building is an advantage that single-detached houses cannot offer without years of cultivating a harmonious relationship within the neighborhood.
Availability of Concierge Services
Many condo buildings have concierge services that offer a wide range of amenities and services. This can include anything from receiving packages and laundry services to arranging transportation like parking, airport pickups, and booking appointments. This means that residents don’t have to worry about the little things in life, which leaves them with more time to focus on other more important matters.
Concierge services are essentially a one-stop shop for all of your needs in a condo. They can provide conveniences that are unavailable in apartments or houses. In a way, you can look at a concierge and compare it to having someone who’s always stationed at home, which helps alleviate any worries and anxieties about leaving.
Having these services available on-site makes life much easier for residents in a condo building.
Security Features
Finally, one of the biggest benefits of condo living is the availability of security features. Many condo buildings have 24/7 guards on patrol and CCTVs monitoring all common areas, corridors, entrance and exit ways, and this provides a high level of security for residents and their belongings, making it a crucial factor when looking for a safe condo unit to live in when in Manila.
In contrast, apartments and single-detached houses often don’t have the same level of security. This can leave residents feeling vulnerable and unsafe, especially right after a robbery or some troubling incident occurs. And it is important to also note how security features are often much more extensive in condo buildings than in other types of housing. This can include proprietary technologies, such as a bevy of door locks, key card access systems, remote camera access, and other ways to monitor, guard, and secure a condo unit. This means that there is always someone watching out for residents and their safety.
So, when it comes to safety and security, condo living provides the most benefit in this regard. Thanks to the sense of community, concierge services, and security features, condo buildings can deliver a much safer environment than most apartments or single-detached houses.
If you’re looking for a safe and secure place to call home, consider condo living in Manila.
How to Make Sure You’re Choosing a Condo that is Safe and Secure
All of the aforementioned factors together make condominium living a much safer option than apartments or single-detached houses. In general, condominiums provide more security features and a more pronounced sense of community than other types of housing, making them a worthwhile option to consider. But what about building safety?
Here are some of the things that you can do before buying a condo unit in Manila to ensure that it’s safe, secure, and structurally sound:
- Inspect your condo unit carefully
- Familiarize yourself with the location
- Make sure that all functional safety features are working
- Check the background of the property developer
- Participate in fire and earthquake drills
- Follow safety reminders in the building
- Advocate for innovative and energy-efficient housing features and technologies
- Look into the plumbing situation of the building
- Ask for safety building permits and certifications
Inspect your condo unit carefully
When you’re inspecting a condo unit, it’s important to look for any potential safety hazards. This includes checking for faulty wiring, cracks in the walls or ceilings, and water leakage. If you’re not familiar with how to inspect a condo unit for safety hazards, be sure to ask the realtor or property developer for assistance.
Familiarize yourself with the location
It’s also important to familiarize yourself with the location of the condo building. Are there any major roads or highways nearby? What about shopping malls or other places of interest? Knowing the location of the condo building will help you make a more informed decision about whether or not it’s safe. This includes making sure you can leave and enter your condo unit without feeling unsafe or threatened.
Make sure that all functional safety features are working
When you’re considering a condo, it’s important to make sure that all of the functional safety features are in working order. This includes checking for fire extinguishers, emergency exits, and panic buttons. If any of these features are not working properly, be sure to notify the property developer or realtor immediately, as emergencies come unannounced, so you’ll never know when these safety features will need to be used.
Check the background of the property developer
It’s also important to check the background of the property developer. Are they a reputable company with a good track record? Have they completed any safety certification courses? If you’re not sure about the developer, be sure to ask around or do some online research.
Participate in fire and earthquake drills
One of the best ways to stay safe in a condo building is to participate in fire and earthquake drills. This will help you familiarize yourself with the evacuation procedures and ensure that you’re prepared in case of an emergency.
Many condo buildings hold regular fire and earthquake drills so be sure to check with your building management for more details. It goes without saying that when one lives in a high-rise building, it’s necessary for you to know what to do and where to go when disasters strike.
Follow safety reminders in the building
In addition to participating in fire and earthquake drills, it’s important to follow all of the safety reminders in the building. This includes keeping all of your belongings out of the way of emergency exits, not smoking in common areas, and not using appliances in the bathroom that can possibly cause an accident.
It’s also worth noting how freak accidents sometimes occur because of either negligence or ignorance, which is exactly why there are signs that tell condo building residents what they can or cannot do. And if it won’t hurt anyone to follow these rules and policies, then why not stick by them?
Advocate for innovative and energy-efficient housing features and technologies
One of the best ways to stay safe in a condo building is to advocate for innovative and energy-efficient housing features and technologies. This includes things like energy-efficient appliances, motion-activated lights, and water-saving features. A simple example of this is switching to an electric stove or induction cooker vs a gas-powered stove.
Look into the plumbing situation of the building
Another thing to look into when considering a condo is the plumbing situation of the building. Are the water pipes and drainage systems in good condition? What about the sewage system? You’ll want to be certain that water is clean and running when you need it, and that there are no risks of flooding inside your condo unit due to faulty pipes and plumbing.
Ask for safety building permits and certifications
When considering a condo, it’s also important to ask for safety building permits and certifications. This includes things like the Building Safety Standards Certificate (BSSC), the Fire Safety Certificate (FSC), and the Occupational Health and Safety Assessment Series (OHSAS).
If you’re not sure about what safety permits and certifications to ask for, be sure to ask the property developer or realtor for more information, as any reputable developer will have these ready for your perusal.
Anchor Land: Your Luxury Condominium Developer in the Philippines
Living in a condo can be a great way to stay safe and secure, and with Anchor Land – the luxury condominium developer with residential and commercial spaces in the Philippines – provides you with premium units for you to call home.
With a thriving sense of community, unparalleled concierge services, and topnotch security features, it is a part of our commitment to give you the peace of mind that you need when you’re at home.
When searching for a condo unit in Manila, make sure to follow these tips to find a building that meets all safety standards.
Do you have any questions about condo living? Feel free to send us a message today!
