How can you prevent parcel theft in a Singapore condo? Stop parcels from sitting unattended. Use parcel lockers or guardhouse holding, register expected deliveries, control who can reach unit doors, and make sure lobby and corridor areas are covered by CCTV linked to entry records. When a parcel does go missing, digital visitor and delivery logs let the managing agent find out who was there and when.
Online shopping has made parcel deliveries part of daily condo life. Most deliveries arrive safely, but every parcel left outside a door or on a lobby table is a small temptation. Parcel theft is frustrating for residents, time-consuming for managing agents, and damaging to trust within the community.
Why parcels go missing in condos
- Parcels left outside doors when residents are not home.
- Lobby drop-offs where any passer-by can pick up a box.
- Unverified riders and visitors who can reach residential floors.
- Wrong-unit deliveries that are never returned.
- Gaps in CCTV coverage on corridors and lift lobbies.
- Poor records, so nobody can tell who was on site at the time.
9 ways to prevent parcel theft
1. Install parcel lockers
Parcel lockers let couriers deposit items securely, and residents collect them with a code. They remove the biggest risk, which is parcels sitting unattended. Place lockers near the guardhouse or in a lobby covered by CCTV.
2. Use guardhouse holding as the default
If lockers are not available, ask couriers to leave parcels at the guardhouse. Guards log each parcel and notify the resident. This adds a step for residents but keeps parcels secure.
3. Notify residents instantly
The sooner a resident knows a parcel has arrived, the shorter the time it sits unattended. App notifications for parcels at the guardhouse or locker make a real difference.
4. Pre-register expected deliveries
When residents register deliveries in the condo app, guards know which riders are expected and for which unit. Unexpected riders are held at the guardhouse until the resident confirms. In myCondo, residents can register deliveries and get a notification when the rider arrives.
5. Limit how far riders can go
Decide whether riders may go to unit doors, the block lobby or only the guardhouse. If door-to-door delivery is allowed, use short QR passes that open only the right gate and lobby for a few minutes. Smart door stations such as the Akuvox X915S, which reads QR codes as well as faces, PINs, Bluetooth and cards, make these limits practical.
6. Close the tailgating gaps
Many thieves do not need a pass. They follow someone through a lobby door. Door-held-open alerts, self-closing doors and resident awareness reduce this risk.
7. Cover lobbies, lift lobbies and corridors with CCTV
Cameras deter theft and provide evidence. Focus on parcel drop-off points, lift lobbies and the routes riders take. Video platforms such as Milestone XProtect and recorders from Hikvision and Dahua Technology are widely used in Singapore estates.
8. Link entries to video
CCTV is only useful if you can find the right footage quickly. When every rider and visitor entry is time-stamped by the visitor management system, the managing agent can jump to the exact minute on the right camera instead of scrolling through hours of video.
9. Set clear house rules and remind residents
Publish simple rules: where parcels go, how long they are held, and how to report a missing parcel. Remind residents ahead of big shopping periods, such as mid-year and year-end sales, when deliveries peak.
Parcel protection options compared
| Option |
Security |
Convenience |
Good for |
| Left outside the door |
Low |
High |
Not recommended for valuables |
| Lobby table or shelf |
Low |
Medium |
Avoid unless covered by CCTV and staffed |
| Guardhouse holding |
High |
Medium |
Estates without lockers |
| Parcel lockers |
High |
High |
Medium and large estates |
| Door-to-door with resident present |
High |
High |
Food and urgent items |
What residents can do
- Choose delivery to a locker or the guardhouse when you are not home.
- Register expected deliveries in the condo app.
- Collect parcels promptly after you are notified.
- Do not ask couriers to leave parcels outside the door for long periods.
- Report missing parcels quickly with the order number and expected delivery time.
What to do if a parcel goes missing
- Check the delivery details with the courier, including the photo proof of delivery if available.
- Ask the guardhouse whether the parcel was held or delivered to another unit.
- Report to the managing agent with the time window and location.
- Request a check of entry logs and CCTV for that time. With digital records, this can be done quickly.
- File a police report if theft is suspected, and inform the courier or seller for a claim.
What MCSTs and managing agents should put in place
- A written parcel and delivery policy approved by the council.
- Parcel lockers or a secure guardhouse holding area.
- Digital logging of deliveries and rider entries.
- CCTV coverage of drop-off points and lift lobbies, with a clear process for reviewing footage under the PDPA.
- Regular resident reminders and a simple reporting process.
How myCondo helps prevent parcel theft
myCondo lets residents register deliveries and receive arrival notifications, gives guards a live list of expected riders, issues short QR passes that open only the right doors, and logs every entry with a time stamp. Those records can be matched to CCTV footage from integrated systems by partners such as Milestone, Hikvision and Dahua Technology, and door stations from Akuvox control who reaches residential lobbies. Our Singapore team handles setup and after-sales support.
Frequently asked questions
Is the MCST responsible for stolen parcels?
Generally, a parcel left outside a unit is the resident’s responsibility, but the MCST can reduce the risk through policies, lockers and access control. Check your estate’s by-laws.
Can the managing agent show me CCTV footage of my parcel being taken?
Footage is reviewed under the MCST’s CCTV and PDPA policies. The managing agent can usually review it and share relevant information with you or the police.
Are parcel lockers worth it for a small condo?
For smaller estates, guardhouse holding with notifications may be enough. Larger estates with many daily deliveries benefit most from lockers.
How can we stop riders leaving parcels at the lobby?
Set a clear rule, put up signage at the lobby, and inform couriers through the guardhouse. Digital delivery registration helps guards direct riders to the right place.
Do digital delivery logs collect riders’ NRIC?
They should not need to. Under PDPC guidelines, recording the courier, unit and time is generally enough.
Protect your residents’ parcels
Our team can review your delivery flow, CCTV coverage and access points and recommend practical improvements, with no obligation.
WhatsApp or call: +65 8812 3888
Email: [email protected]
Address: 8 Ubi Road 2, #07-13 Zervex, Singapore 408538
Related reading: Delivery Riders and Condo Security and Tailgating at Condo Gates
