Do you provide tenants with a physical key for smartlocks?

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Do you provide tenants with a physical key for smartlocks?

Brandon Malone
Gaithersburg, MD · Member since 2013 · 90 posts · 9 votes

Hi All,

I recently acquired a property that has a smartlock. I would like to avoid providing keys to the tenants and just have them setup and control the codes for access. Smartlocks are expensive, I hate to have to switch them out each time a tenant leaves because they have an existing key. Like to get feedback on this and how everyone is handling this. This is a for long-term rental, not airbnb/short-term rental situation. Thanks

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Travis TimmonsPro Member
Rental Property Investor · Ellsworth, ME · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
2y

I don't provide a physical key but try to have two backups in case the battery dies or the lock malfunctions. I put a physical key in a lockbox on property and try to have either a remote garage door opener or garage door keypad (for houses with a garage, obv). 

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  • Preston DeanBusiness Member
    Realtor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2021 · 779 posts · 368 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Brandon Malone:

    Hi All,

    I recently acquired a property that has a smartlock. I would like to avoid providing keys to the tenants and just have them setup and control the codes for access. Smartlocks are expensive, I hate to have to switch them out each time a tenant leaves because they have an existing key. Like to get feedback on this and how everyone is handling this. This is a for long-term rental, not airbnb/short-term rental situation. Thanks


     I think as a tenant they should be allowed to have a key. That is their dwelling place and if something goes wrong with the smart lock, then they are locked out of the house. I don't think that them having a key to the property is a big deal. Just ask for it back after they move out. 

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  • Carlos Ptriawan
    Member since 2019 · 7k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Robert Payne:
    Quote from @Carlos Ptriawan:
    Quote from @Morgan Eriksson:

    i get one of those mechanical lock boxes from masterlock and mount it to a post or the deck, in the event that the smartlock fails i can get them a phsyical key from the lockbox by giving them that code. Someone mentioned the kwikset locks... I 100% recommend those and I usually use their "halo" line for smart locks, however i'm about to start testing the yale locks that partnerned with google. 


     I am also researching lot of these aspect. My requirement is :
    1. Smartlock can last 6 months
    2. No WIFI
    3. Can use USB charger in case battery is dead 
    4. Key that can be re-keyed easily.

    Why no WiFi? 
    i use mine for STR so it is really nice to have notification when a guest arrives or when cleaners are there.
    But even for LTR, being able to control codes and provide access for maintenance from a distance is a nice convenience.

    i use for primary , ADU and STR as well. Three reasons for wifi: to avoid wifi signalling issue, wifi power requirement is higher and cybersecurity. Zwave is totally fine with me.

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  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    2y

    @Preston Dean you can always have one in a lock box onsite that you let them have access to if there is a failure. Saves you rekeying because most of the time nothing happens.  If you give them a key every time just use a regular lock, no advantage to you to use the smart lock.  Why go to the extra expense? 

    I like the mechanical Schlage locks and the batteries last a long time but they aren't smart and aren't connected to wifi. I have also used august but automatic relock was a battery drain.

    Curious, if the wifi goes out what happens with these smartlocks? 

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  • Robert PaynePro Member
    Real Estate Agent · Bowling Green, KY · Member since 2023 · 36 posts · 36 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Colleen F.:

    @Preston Dean you can always have one in a lock box onsite that you let them have access to if there is a failure. Saves you rekeying because most of the time nothing happens.  If you give them a key every time just use a regular lock, no advantage to you to use the smart lock.  Why go to the extra expense? 

    I like the mechanical Schlage locks and the batteries last a long time but they aren't smart and aren't connected to wifi. I have also used august but automatic relock was a battery drain.

    Curious, if the wifi goes out what happens with these smartlocks? 


     Nothing happens when the WiFi disconnects, you just lose connectivity through the app, the passcodes still work. Another advantage of the WiFi is that it will notify you when the battery is low so you don’t let it die and end up having to get them in with a key

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  • Brandon Malone
    OP
    Gaithersburg, MD · Member since 2013 · 90 posts · 9 votes
    2y

    @Colleen F. I wish I would have seen your posts earlier. I gave access for them to create codes and control that piece thinking one of the benefits is them having access to control cleaner, and others who need access, especially since it will be going through wifi they pay for. It's a long term rental so made sense to me. I kept the physical key. They also have access through the garage door openers. However, after reading your post, I think I need to think through this process a bit further for the future. 

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  • Brandon Malone
    OP
    Gaithersburg, MD · Member since 2013 · 90 posts · 9 votes
    2y

    @Alan Asriants do you do this for long-term rentals. 1 years plus leases?

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  • Andrew Simms
    Rental Property Investor · Marietta, GA · Member since 2017 · 131 posts · 101 votes
    2y

    Our experience is with STR, but I imagine I would do it similarly for LTR. Lockbox for the physical key in case of emergency/failure. In 2.5+ years, our smartlock (Kwikset 914) has never failed. But I do have a backup waiting in a box. I like the Kwikset due to the SmartKey technology so you can easily rekey.

    The codes make it so much easier than keys. I have enough keys for everything at my primary residence. 

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  • Lorien Wolff
    Property Manager · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2022 · 138 posts · 87 votes
    2y

    @Brandon Malone I have 1 LTR in Denver NC and installed a smart lock with a physical key for when/if the batteries die while tenants aren't home. I have a copy of the physical key and I also put a copy in a box that is screwed into the door frame with a passcode. There are pros and cons to smart locks HOWEVER in the last 5 years the technology has improved drastically and is much more reliable. You could always go with a Kwikset rekey deadbolt option, and recycle the keys. I have experience with this, you recycle the keys, saves on costs! I would advise sitting down and putting the costs in front of you, are your lease lengths 15-24 months at a time, are your tenants low risk and likely to occupy or break lease, things to consider :)

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  • Dena Beck
    Member since 2024 · 49 posts · 16 votes
    2y
    Quote from @Travis Timmons:

    @Brandon Malone nope...people don't want keys. They are just there in case of emergency. 


     If someone has to use the emergency key, do you worry about getting the lock rekeyed after they have gone? Are you doing this in a short-term or long-term rental? I want to leave a lock box on our shirt term rental in case there is a problem with the electronic lock. My husband argues that once we give someone a key from the lock box in an emergency we will need to rekey the lock because we have no idea if they might have made a copy. Thoughts?

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  • Travis TimmonsPro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Ellsworth, ME · Member since 2021 · 1k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    2y

    @Dena Beck in 3 years, nobody has ever actually used the back up keys. As long as you change the batteries in the smart lock once a year, the back up key is probably never going to get used. 

    The "what if they..." scenarios in an STR are endless. If they wanted to steal something, it's more likely that they would just do it while they are staying there. You do your best to mitigate risks, but they never go away completely. Same as my primary residence - if somebody really wants to break into my house, they're going to find a way regardless of the precautions that I take. So we bought in a safe neighborhood, know our neighbors well, and have the basics when it comes to home security. A short term rental property is the same.

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  • Colleen F.Pro Member
    Investor · Narragansett, RI · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 4k+ votes
    2y

    @Dena Beck the emergency key has been used once in 5 years.  You are more likely to have this concern if you issue the key routinuely to tenants. When I put it in a lock box on site that is I think,  a better precaution.   Just make sure they put it back and change the code after they use it. 

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  • Dena Beck
    Member since 2024 · 49 posts · 16 votes
    2y

    Thank you, Colleen for the input! 

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  • Bernadeau C.Pro Member
    Rental Property Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2014 · 540 posts · 230 votes
    2y

    i am curious, which smartlocks are you currently using or which ones do you recommend? This is for a LTR.

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  • Alan AsriantsBusiness Member
    Real Estate Agent · Philadelphia, PA · Member since 2019 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    2y
    Quote from @Brandon Malone:

    @Alan Asriants do you do this for long-term rentals. 1 years plus leases?


     Just saw this, all of my tenants are long term. 

    I saw someone post about keeping lockbox on site for emergencies - thats a good idea

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