10 Benefits and Drawbacks of Smart Locks for Your Airbnb

Protect your guests and your property

By Mototext Homes
Photo by cottonbro studio vie Pexels

You can take a number of precautionary steps to keep your Airbnb property and your guests secure from intruders. These include installing an advanced alarm system, placing lights around the property in strategic locations to discourage criminal activity, and making sure all windows close properly and lock securely.

As smart home technology advances, keyless home locks are rapidly becoming more popular. However, are these smart lock systems suitable for your primary residence or a rental property?

Continue reading to find out the benefits and disadvantages tenants and/or homeowners should think about before upgrading a rental property.

What exactly does a smart lock system do?

Instead of a mechanical key and lock, residents can lock or unlock a home using a smart locks. Therefore, the allure of a keyless entry system is understandable if you’ve ever misplaced your keys.

These systems additionally permit entry using a keypad, smartphone, or fingerprint reader, depending on the model selected.

Smart Lock System Benefits

These widely available products give property owners more advantages and peace of mind. Even so, it’s essential to carefully consider the advantages and disadvantages before installing a smart locks in your home. So let’s review a few of the benefits below:

No actual key is required

Because they are convenient, smart locks are popular; who wouldn’t appreciate a lighter keychain? Keyless entry systems also eliminate the need to fumble around in your pocket, bag, or briefcase looking for the house key.

Never get locked out

Tenants and guests won’t ever be locked out of the house because they lost or left their keys somewhere, thanks to smart locks.

All one needs to enter the house is the code. The use of some of the most advanced fingerprint-activated smart lock systems is an added bonus.

In addition, most systems have a backup system for emergencies or malfunctions, such as a key cylinder override. It ensures that tenants won’t be locked out in the event that the batteries die or the power cuts out.

Stop hiding spare keys under the welcome mat

You have seen it on TV shows or in movies, or you may even do it yourself: hide an extra key around the outside of your house.

However, this poses a significant security risk, especially for rental properties. By providing tenants with a keyless entry system, property owners can better protect their tenants and their personal property.

Keep track of who enters the property

One benefit of smart locks is the ability to keep track of who enters and leaves a home at any given time. If a rental home has a smart lock system, property owners can receive emails or texts when a door opens or closes.

This is helpful for owners who are concerned about theft.

Additionally, property owners can issue various codes to tenants or others depending on who will be entering the property and for what purpose. Additionally, it is possible to swiftly deactivate a compromised code to thwart unauthorized access.

Additional amenities for future tenants

Airbnb users and renters share the same desire to feel safe and secure in the home they’re using. Additional security measures increase the value and appeal of your property

By adding these extra touches, property owners show their concern for tenants’ safety in the competitive rental market. It also shows how eager they are to provide amenities for tenants.

Save money and time on replacing locks

After a tenant or Airbnb guest leaves, locks are typically changed as part of the turnover process. Property owners only need to quickly reset the code on a smart locks, not replace it. Using a smart locks not only saves the property owner money, but also time.

Smart Lock System Drawbacks

Accessories are still needed to gain access

Residents may no longer need to deal with keys, but they still need accessories. For some systems, you can use a remote to lock the door after you leave or unlock it before you arrive.

But if the remote is found, someone can use it to enter the house, so this presents the same problem as a lost key. Don’t give tenants remote controls; stick with the keypad.

The immediate cost of smart locks is higher

An ordinary key and deadbolt lock could cost property owners more than $50. However, upgrading to a smart lock system might set you back a few hundred dollars.

The sophistication of the system and whether it is integrated with other home security monitoring determine costs. A monthly fee or other expenses could also be required.

Maintenance is required

Changing codes frequently is one of the biggest issues landlords face with smart locks. The possibility of someone cracking the code can increase as a result of wear and tear on the buttons.

Landlords must maintain a master list if multiple codes are given to various individuals. After all, you don’t want to give codes to just anyone. Therefore, it’s a smart idea to keep an eye on who comes and leaves the house at all times. Of course, doing this requires planning and time.

Teaching guests how to use a smart lock

Not all of your visitors will be as technologically savvy as you are.

If you’re installing a smart lock system in your Airbnb, you should give visitors instructions on how to use the smart lock app that works with it. The majority of models come with an auto-lock feature, so your visitor may only need to download the app and turn on their Bluetooth when they get to your house.

Smart locks can still be opened the conventional way with a traditional key for visitors who might find this modern technology difficult to understand.

Bottom Line: For Rentals and Airbnb, Smart Locks have the advantage

The era of traditional locks and keys is over; now is the time of modern, innovative smart locks.

The adoption of electronic smart locks for Airbnb has increased as a result of COVID’s role as a catalyst for contactless hosting. While upgrading your outdated deadbolt lock to a sleek, contemporary smart lock may require a small financial outlay, it also brings a number of advantages that are sure to save you a ton of headaches over time

They are called SMART locks for a reason.

Fundamentally, the best smart locks for Airbnb give property managers and homeowners the ability to control and personalize access to their properties without having to use their hands. This allows them to avoid common difficulties like misplaced keys and forgotten passcodes.

Looking to improve your guests’ experience? It could be time to think, smarter.

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