multifamilies door lock systerm?

[Omer Ashkenazi]

Hey BP,

I own a few small multifamilies and am now up to 14 doors.  At the moment, each unit has unique keys for the front and back doors.  So, I have about 30 keys, not including keys to side doors, basements, etc.  Right now, I am considering having a master key that will work in all doors and rekey as necessary at turn over.  This option seems expensive. Does anyone have experience with this?

Does anyone have another system they recommend for managing unit access?  I am open to suggestions!

[Joe Splitrock]

@Omer Ashkenazi I use the Kwikset Smartkey technology. You can get locks at any home improvement store. I only key the deadbolt and for the lever/knob I install a commercial grade non-locking handle. This prevents a tenant lock-out situation, because you need a key to lock the deadbolt. It also means I only need to rekey one lock per door. The other nice thing is that using a commercial knob means it will last longer. I have had plenty of cheap locks and knobs break over the years, so I pay for good stuff now. The Kwikset Smartkey takes 30 seconds to rekey and no locksmith. I don't rotate keys within a unit or even within my properties. I go to Home Depot or Lowes and ask them if they have left over keys from a rekey. They have a bucket of keys that are just left over from when they rekey for customers. They give me keys for free. I have ten sets of new keys waiting for future tenants. Another nice thing is you can rekey your properties for showing. Lets say you have five vacant properties, rekey them all to the same key. Then all your maintenance people or people showing the property can use one key to access all your empty properties. Since it only takes 30 seconds, it is easy to change at any time.