Rental Property Investor · Grand Rapids, MI · Member since 2017 · 113 posts · 91 votes
Greetings BP!
I’ve searched the last 10 pages of the Landlord Forum & Rental Property Questions section and found nothing on the subject – Locks, what do you use?
I was just posting on an article where someone said they don’t issue keys they issue codes to digital (push button) locks, which got me thinking – hmmm, maybe I’m doing it wrong. I’ve had master keys for almost all of our locks since the earth cooled, but technology has definitely changed, and so have landlord style locks.
I formerly installed a locking handle and deadbolt, but after chasing 500 “my kid locked us out by locking the handle” calls I eliminated the locking handle and went to just a deadbolt and passage handle only. However it still costs me about $60.00 per door to buy these and have it mastered to our key system.
So the grand question is can you describe and perhaps provide a link to show us what you use and the cost?
I just look on eBay for "builder packs" - 10 locks in cardboard boxes instead of retail bubble-packs..I've scored them as low as $10 a lock - I key everything the same myself - if you goof up, there's a video on YouTube showing how to re-key a borked setup (only done it twice so far), and there's also a $3 tool to flip the lock cylinder so the keys all go in the same way..
It's nice for anything that's been on MLS, as well as after a tenant leaves, you can re-key the whole house in 10 minutes if you're slow for $0. There are people who claim these locks will "lose" their programming, but I've never had it happen & it's not like they're expensive if you had to actually toss one anyway.
I just look on eBay for "builder packs" - 10 locks in cardboard boxes instead of retail bubble-packs..I've scored them as low as $10 a lock - I key everything the same myself - if you goof up, there's a video on YouTube showing how to re-key a borked setup (only done it twice so far), and there's also a $3 tool to flip the lock cylinder so the keys all go in the same way..
It's nice for anything that's been on MLS, as well as after a tenant leaves, you can re-key the whole house in 10 minutes if you're slow for $0. There are people who claim these locks will "lose" their programming, but I've never had it happen & it's not like they're expensive if you had to actually toss one anyway.
Schlage BE365VCAM619 Camelot Keypad Deadbolt, Satin Nickel
I use these on all of my rentals. Tenant picks their 4 digit code to use. When they leave it gets deleted and next tenant picks their code. And I have a master code that I use.
Kwikset Smartly. Inexpensive and can rekey them yourself - takes about 20 seconds per lock to rekey. Check on YouTube and you can see a demo. This is the absolute best way I've found for my properties.
I use these on all of my rentals. Tenant picks their 4 digit code to use. When they leave it gets deleted and next tenant picks their code. And I have a master code that I use.
Seconded. My fiance uses this exact model on her retail store for employees. Works great. We use a similar model on the front door of our home as well.
I like landlordlocks as they give you a master so I only have to carry 1 key around to unlock every unit. Once you get past a few keeping track of different keys is a pain and its easy to change the core out when there is turnover.
We use these. Allows you to keep a master key that works on every door while also having unique keys for each tenant. As others have said, you can rekey in seconds at turnover, etc.
816 Series Single Cylinder Satin Nickel Key Control Deadbolt Featuring SmartKey
http://thd.co/1OcBEOy
I am switching to kwik set smart key system for ease of re-keying. I think they are a cheaper lock in terms of security but at the same time you can smash a window to get in. Below is what I have on my personal home and soon to be rental (next week). Allows the tenant not to get locked out and i don't have to remember what key goes to what house. Able to set multiple codes as well.
I may be too far down the road now to completely change our lock system. I have a master key (the only way to go) but thousand’s of dollars invested in locks.
It’s never convenient to swap them out, I run over and have Paula my locksmith re-key the lock and then re-install it.
Too bad I didn’t go with the Landlord Locks years ago – I never knew about them. Maybe when the price of the retinal scanners (like in the movies) come down I can go with that – lol!
We use whatever electronic lock system is on sale at the time of the purchase. I input my personal code and then let the tenant choose their personal code. My code works on every single door and I also have a "one time only" use code I leave on the door if I have an emergency and have to let someone in without being there. We use another code for all our flips so our contractors can get in easily. Use passthru handles or, in the flips, put tape on the bottom handle so no one turns it during the remodel. It's easy.
Battery life is really good. They typically use ~6 AA batteries. They are based on cycles of use, so length of time will vary. You can figure 2 yr range. My 3 kids haven't worn off the any numbers yet in the 2 years we have had the lock on the front door. The 9yr likes to play with the lock too! I have the above link. No issues with buttons coming off. You would have to dig at them to be destructive on purpose to remove them.
Scott F. - I use a Schlage digital lock, keypad and lever, from 2009. In 8 years, I've replaced the D battery 2 times (every 3 years) and it lets you know weeks in advance (red light after entry) when it's going to die. In the last year, 2 of my 10 buttons have lost their protective covers (sort of like a clear plastic sticker on top of the writing) and the writing has started to wear. (My 0 looks like a u).
I called Schlage to ask for replacement button stickers and they offered to send me a new keypad for free. Nice customer support.
It's like this one. Cost $90-150. http://www.schlage.com/en/home/products/FE595PLYFFFFLA.html
I saw a Schlage Camelot model / deadbolt twist for the first time on a short sale property recently and it took me about 12 tries with the right code to figure out how to open it. (It twisted easily but nothing happened). However, it seemed like it would also work very well.
We have all our buildings and units set up with Landlord Locks. Ordering is simple and keeping track of different cylinders is easy. I love only carrying around my master and being able to get into any of our units, common areas, or restricted spaces. Swapping out cylinders is a breeze if needed and it keeps you from taking apart all the hardware for a lock change out.
I was using Kwikset Smartkey but after a scare in which a deadbolt locked up when I was rekeying it, such that neither the old nor the new key worked, I saw the light and understood that people were onto something when they wrote about the Smartkey system failing. Smartkey locks seem to be OK for a while but are susceptible to failure later on. My locksmith says he has a bucket full of Smartkey locks that owners have paid him to get into after they failed on them.
So my solution is Landlordlocks.com and their iCore system. I now have a master key set up and am progressively changing all locks over at turnover. Their keys are stamped Duplication Prohibited and are harder to copy. I am using their TRAP bolts that mean the lock can only be removed using a proprietary screwdriver head. I can change the cylinders in seconds and reuse them over at another property. I now need never worry about the reliability of the Smartkey system. My locksmith says he talks about Smartkey issues with their sales reps and they know about the problems.
I’ll have to order a set of the Landlord locks to check them out, they're cheaper than what I'm currently using and I like the quick swap out feature.
I really like the digital lock concept but at $100.00 per door x 2 or maybe 3 doors per unit that gets expensive. I’m already paying $60.00 per door and grumbling about that.
Maybe I can search for the doors on Star Wars that shoot up in the air and slam behind you, no locks, no handles!