Best locks for rental

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Best locks for rental

Mark Wikkerink
Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2015 · 22 posts · 4 votes

Hi

We are renovating a duplex, and we get to pick our own hardware, etc. 

I am thinking about which locks to go with, and wondering if anyone can offer advice. I would like the ability to re-key the locks myself, and I am not opposed to smart locks (tell me if this is a bad idea).

Has anyone use these before: http://www.kwikset.com/SmartSecurity/Re-Key-Techno...

Thanks,

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Andrew Kerr
Rental Property Investor · Everywhere, USA · Member since 2012 · 689 posts · 525 votes
11y
Mark Wikkerink checkout the icore series from landlord locks.com - I have 20 units and started switching over to them beginning of this year. I can change a lock for a new tenant in about 10 seconds. I have a master key that works across all my properties. By far the best solution I found.
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  • Shawn McenteerBusiness Member
    Realtor · Boonton Township, NJ · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Yes,  great product.  kwikset I prefer for all of my doors.

    973-975-3895
    House Hacking New Jersey563 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
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  • Tyson Luthy
    Property Manager · Idaho Falls, ID · Member since 2015 · 147 posts · 83 votes
    11y

    We use smart locks a lot. I would say it depends on your area and what your comfortable with.

    We usually only use them on apartments or units that have just one or two doors. For larger homes where there are several doors we do a full re-key.

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  • Daria B.
    Rental Property Investor · Gainesville, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 432 votes
    11y

    @Tyson Luthymay I ask why not use them on all the rentals? Is it a cost factor when it comes to the larger homes?

    I recently found out about this myself and plan on switching out the locks for this kwiset lock. I already spoke with the PM company and apparently they had already planned on using this themselves. Not sure if they were going to contact owners or what that meant. But I informed them that it was something I was looking into to save the cost of a locksmith at every turnover.

    Aside from the upfront cost to switch them out, this seems to be a better method for rekeying. Plus, the kwiset web site touts this as not pick-able. And Home Depot said that I could come in to get used keys to do the rekey. I was confused how that worked and they were very good as explaining the re-key.

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  • Mark Wikkerink
    OP
    Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2015 · 22 posts · 4 votes
    11y

    @Daria B., are you able to explain how they work? I am a bit confused by the rekey process as well.

    Thanks,

    Mark

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  • Jeremy Gunn
    Property Manager · Leesburg, FL · Member since 2015 · 92 posts · 31 votes
    11y
    They are great if we have to change out a lock this is the only thing we buy. Each lock comes with a small flat pin type tool to rekey the lock. To rekey a lock the process is as follows. Put in existing key turn it the horizontal position push the pin tool into the small hole and remove the key. Now insert your new key and turn back to the vertical position. That's it you can do a whole house in about 5 mins.
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  • Jeremy Gunn
    Property Manager · Leesburg, FL · Member since 2015 · 92 posts · 31 votes
    11y
    The 26d. Finish is the best finish for longevity. If you can find it. Easy to clean and never fades or tarnishes like most the other finishes.
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  • Andrew Kerr
    Rental Property Investor · Everywhere, USA · Member since 2012 · 689 posts · 525 votes
    11y
    Mark Wikkerink checkout the icore series from landlord locks.com - I have 20 units and started switching over to them beginning of this year. I can change a lock for a new tenant in about 10 seconds. I have a master key that works across all my properties. By far the best solution I found.
    2Reply
  • Kelly N.
    Investor · SE, MI · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 461 votes
    11y

    I have had experience with the various brands of locks depending on what has been previously installed on the rentals we purchase.  I have purchased new sets of locks for each type I have so that I have extras, and used these the first time I changed locks.  Then I took the old locks off and had them rekeyed to a new key and then they are set aside until the next time I need them.  My local hardware store charges $5 to rekey a lock, so after purchasing the extra locks my cost is fairly low.  They will supply me with new (to me) keys to use.  As far as brands go, I like Schlage.  The units are heavy and feel very secure, and are much easier to install than any others I have encountered.

    This has worked well for me with 2 triplexes each with a common entry door, but we are adding to our portfolio and I may be using the landlord locks recommended above in the future- it would be nice to have less keys jingling away in my bag!

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  • Daria B.
    Rental Property Investor · Gainesville, FL · Member since 2015 · 1k+ posts · 432 votes
    11y

    HI @Mark Wikkerink

     Looks like @Jeremy Gunn

    beat me to the explanation.

    I started with their web site and then went to Home Depot to get a live view of the lock and tool and ask HD questions. They were very helpful and said they had owners coming in the past 2 years to switch their locks. The kwiset web site has a video instruction on how to do the rekeys.

    The "new" key was what confused me. You can spend $10 for another new set of keys that comes with a smart key tool, or, you can use any old kwiset unused key to be your new master key. HD told me (and showed me all the unused kwiset keys) that if I came back into the store they would give me a key to use. They keep the unused keys when they do rekeys from people that bring in their entire lock to have it rekeyed. They charge $5 to do that but I'm not taking the lock off the door even for that price.

    Also, if you loose the master key or tool, heaven forbid, you can dismantle the lock and "reset" it so that you just need to buy new master keys and another tool. HD said they also do the reset but again the web site has these instructions that show how to fiddle with the lock to reset.

    Unbelievable that I'm just hearing about this technology and I'm glad it's here.

    Hope this helps.

    0Reply
  • Tyson Luthy
    Property Manager · Idaho Falls, ID · Member since 2015 · 147 posts · 83 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Daria B.:

    @Tyson Luthymay I ask why not use them on all the rentals? Is it a cost factor when it comes to the larger homes?

    I recently found out about this myself and plan on switching out the locks for this kwiset lock. I already spoke with the PM company and apparently they had already planned on using this themselves. Not sure if they were going to contact owners or what that meant. But I informed them that it was something I was looking into to save the cost of a locksmith at every turnover.

    Aside from the upfront cost to switch them out, this seems to be a better method for rekeying. Plus, the kwiset web site touts this as not pick-able. And Home Depot said that I could come in to get used keys to do the rekey. I was confused how that worked and they were very good as explaining the re-key.

    It can be. A larger home can have as many as 5 doors. They save money in the long term, but we have quite a bit less turnover in larger homes too.

    Just preference.

    0Reply
  • Mike H.
    Rental Property Investor · Manteno, IL · Member since 2009 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes
    11y

    I only use the kwikset rekeyable locks.

    They're a little more expensive. But even someone as unskilled as myself can rekey the locks. And its easy to rekey all the locks to one key which I think is great for the tenants as well.

    Not only that but when a tenant moves out, I know I can get over to the house and rekey it immediately. I don't have to wait on any contractor and/or locksmith to rekey it.

    Just make sure you have a copy of the current key and then you can rekey it to another key yourself.

    Put in the old key, turn it a quarter turn, then put in the rekey tool into the separate little pin slot until it clicks the lever in there. Take out the old key, put in the new one, turn it back the quarter turn. Done.

    Its that easy.  Locks can be rekeyed. No need for contractors or locksmiths so you can do it immeidately yourself. 

    Why would I want to pull out all the locks and have some place rekey them?  Thats just extra work to me. Rekeyables are the only way to go.

    0Reply
  • Richard Henry
    Rental Property Investor · Tuscaloosa, AL · Member since 2011 · 35 posts · 9 votes
    11y

    I have been told by my locksmith that I am unable to use the rekeyable with my "Master". I have 1 master key that will open every unit I own. Do any of y'all use the rekeyable and also have a master key?

    0Reply
  • Mads Singers
    Vietnam · Member since 2015 · 8 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    I own a flat where i installed an electronic keypad lock which have worked amazing. 

    I had the place on AirBNB for a while as i struggled to find a good renter and it's was so amazingly easy. I'm not sure how these locks do outdoor's though.

    0Reply
  • Rob Bowling
    Investor · Prospect, KY · Member since 2015 · 47 posts · 77 votes
    11y

    like Andrew said, try landlord locks and you won't use anything else again. You simple put in your master, pull out the core and put in another core.

    No changing the whole door knob, etc. No buying new locks etc etc. Change locks in 10 seconds.

    0Reply
  • Chris K.Pro Member
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 655 votes
    11y

    While I'm a big fan of the Kwikset Smartkey locks, I would probably suggest that you go with landlord locks. I love how quickly i can change the key with the smartkeys but once you get so many doors you're still going to be stuck with a bunch of keys. I'll probably be going with landlord locks from this point on because they offer the master key. I'd love to have one key to rule them all!

    0Reply
  • Mark Wikkerink
    OP
    Investor · Indianapolis, IN · Member since 2015 · 22 posts · 4 votes
    11y

    Thank you everyone!

    0Reply
  • Pete T.
    Real estate investor · Las Vegas · Member since 2013 · 798 posts · 171 votes
    11y

    schledge keypad lock.  you just change the code and people like the keyless entry. 

    1Reply
  • Michael Alford
    San Diego, CA · Member since 2015 · 26 posts · 4 votes
    11y
    I use the Schlage keypad locks on my duplex, and they have been wonderful. Tenants love being able to have additional code(s) for dog walkers, maids, etc. I love being able to enter without having to worry about having any key. Plus I set their garage door opener to the same primary code as their door, so I always have access to that if necessary too. I do pay a locksmith to rekey the backup key lock to my master key, but that's only once per install. Pro Tip: I keep a pdf copy of the programming instructions on my smartphone, so I always have it handy, along with my unit codes in a secure password app.
    2Reply
  • Matt Holmer
    Attorney · Bettendorf, IA · Member since 2015 · 106 posts · 47 votes
    11y

    I like Schlage but any of the major manufactures will work as long as the entire until is the same brand (and therefore same keyway).  Between tenants, I buy a rekey kit like this one for about $11.00  The kit has enough pins to rekey 6 locks and comes with 3 keys.

    It might seem daunting at first, but rekey your own locks is pretty simple and only takes about 5 minutes per lock once you have it figured out. 

    0Reply
  • Sean Keller
    Vendor · Canelburg, IN · Member since 2014 · 23 posts · 4 votes
    11y

    There are so many options to choose from and some really good advise from the people as to which way to go. Though there are pros and cons to each and ever style and set-up, it really comes down to what you are looking for in a locking system. Let us know if you have any further question, comments, or concerns.

    0Reply
  • Joey Jackson
    Niagara Falls, Ontario · Member since 2016 · 1 post · 0 votes
    10y
    Originally posted by @Richard Henry:

    I have been told by my locksmith that I am unable to use the rekeyable with my "Master". I have 1 master key that will open every unit I own. Do any of y'all use the rekeyable and also have a master key?

     Richard,

    I know this thread is from a while ago, but check out Weiser/Kwikset's KeyControl line.  Basically the same as their rekeyable line, but there's a second cylinder (which you access by rotating the face plate).  This is your master key.  You key these all the same so your master can open any unit.  You can then re-key the tenant key whenever you want, or unlock the unit with a master key.  Obviously your locksmith won't tell you about this because they make their money on the constant re-key.

    Because this is a second cylinder, it's more secure than a master key system, since the more key patterns that can open a particular lock, the less secure it is.  You average 5 pin tumber with a master pin in each cylinder give you 32 possible key combinations, but also 32 ways to pick the lock.  But that's beside the point.

    http://www.weiserlock.com/en/products/smartseries/...

    (kwikset also makes this product, but the weiser lock site has a better explanation).

    0Reply
  • Ryan Parnow
    Investor · Cedar Rapids, IA · Member since 2014 · 77 posts · 21 votes
    10y

    I am another one on the Landlord Locks bandwagon.  I love only having 1 key for a master and it is so quick and easy to change the locks.  

    0Reply
  • Lenny Shwartz
    Investor · Lake Worth, FL · Member since 2015 · 23 posts · 11 votes
    10y

    I rotate my locks between my nine units. Since, they are in different cities and I usually have my tenants in my properties for 2 or more years, it works for me. I just put the old locks in zip lock bags. with the keys. If they are damaged, then I will buy new ones. Good luck.

    0Reply
  • Scott Schultz
    Rental Property Investor · West Bend, WI · Member since 2015 · 931 posts · 598 votes
    10y

    smart locks are easy, but if you want to be efficient, either have a locksmith do it, or learn to rekey yourself, and do a master key system, so you have 1 key that does all and tenant each get different keys, its pretty simple to do, if you have a Locksmith do it, they can keep record of each property, and when a tenant says they lost a key or locked them selves out, tell them to call the lock smith to have one cut for their unit.  I rekey my own, but im funny like that. 

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  • Os Ruiz
    Healthcare · Glendora, CA · Member since 2015 · 11 posts · 3 votes
    10y

    Did kickset improve their system? apparently the popular "rekey in 2 min" system can be easily broken into with a pry tool and screwdriver.  The video below may be old but take a look and please share your experience: 

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H1mmjVvMsGs

    I'm looking for a safe and reliable solution.  

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