Real Estate Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2010 · 14 posts · 4 votes
I'm so frustrated right now! Between all of my properties, gates, garages, etc. I have a lot of keys to keep track of. I have them on a board and had them separated on hooks with the hooks labeled for each key. The board was knocked down and the keys scattered so I have to figure out which key goes to which property. I had a couple of them stamped with the house number when I had the locksmith make them for me. I would like to stamp them all so I don't have this problem again but I'm not sure what tools I would need to do it. I am hoping someone can share their methods of tracking all of their keys so I can come up a better way of tracking mine :). Any suggestions?
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
14y
I have each house's set on a ring with a tag.
You can stamp numbers in your keys with letter and number stamps. You would need something sturdy to put them on while stamping and a hammer to whack them.
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
14y
I have each house's set on a ring with a tag.
You can stamp numbers in your keys with letter and number stamps. You would need something sturdy to put them on while stamping and a hammer to whack them.
SFR Investor · Orange County, CA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
14y
I do what Jon does, stamp my keys. I assign a two-letter code for each of our rentals, e.g., Briar Ridge = BR, Maple Street = MS, Seaview West Avenue = SW, etc. I also use these two-letter codes as a short- hand in our bookkeeping and files as well.
If a property has more than one keyset (front door and garage), I simply add a number after the two-letter code to signify they fit different locks (SW1, SW2, etc.).
We're looking forward to the day we have so many properties that the two-letter code begins to repeat and we need another system. :-)
Real Estate Investor · Virginia, DC &, MD · Member since 2008 · 261 posts · 71 votes
14y
I quickly became tired of the key fiasco and now key all my flips and rentals with the same key. Nobody knows except my foreman, realtor, and my HVAC man. I have not found any downside and everybody's life is so much easier. Plus, I do not have a "janitors key ring" anymore. I buy all my door knobs from the same wholesale lock business and my salesman keeps a copy of the key. I just call him up and give him my order and he keys the exterior locks to my master key. Too easy.
Investor · San Ramon, CA · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 569 votes
14y
I got the paper tags from Home Depot... 200 of them for a few dollars. Each key gets a tag with abbreviated address and unit number.
I don't like the stamping idea as I want to be able to change out locks between tenants and reuse the lock elsewhere in the future.
My bigger issue is where to keep them. My house is 30 minutes south of where I work, my rentals are 45 minutes north. It's convenient to go straight up there but that means I need to keep the keys someplace but home... and we have 3 cars... hmmm...
Rental Property Investor · Mercer Island, WA · Member since 2008 · 22k+ posts · 14k+ votes
14y
I actually don't stamp the keys, though I have some of those stamps for my metalworking hobby. I just use little plastic tags.
There are "landlord" locks available online that allow master keys, individual keys and easy changes. I've not done that, but I am in the process of converting to the kwikset locks that have the easy changing feature. Those locks work amazingly better than the cheapie defiant locks and I can change keys without having to change the lockset.
Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
14y
Originally posted by Jon Holdman:
...
There are "landlord" locks available online that allow master keys, individual keys and easy changes. I've not done that, but I am in the process of converting to the kwikset locks that have the easy changing feature. Those locks work amazingly better than the cheapie defiant locks and I can change keys without having to change the lockset.
Jon,
If those are the SmartKey from QwikSet, then the easy re-key only applies to deadbolt locks; the doorknob locks don't re-key in that same easy way.
Even a "master key" system does not solve the entire problem; the master key system simply let's you get into any unit without having to go crazy figuring out which key to use. But when a tenant loses a key, you need the non-master key to get them a replacement key (or you re-key the lockset).
There are some more durable tags that can be used. The simple paper types degrade too easily, and the strings separate from the paper when the strings rip through the hole. There are tags made from paper that is inserted inside of transparent plastic housings. There are also soft metal tags that can be stamped similarly to what Jon presented in a link above.
The problem with the solution given by Jim S is that he has now publicly disclosed the info; any of his buyers can go visit another property he has flipped (also a matter of public record at the county recorder's office) and use the key they received when they bought from him ... While rehabbing I use the exact same approach - locks the same if possible to do so - but I swap out the locks at sale. My rehab locks also are inside-key deadbolts, and these are not permissible by some fire code for an occupied unit - so I have to swap them out anyway.
Real Estate Investor · StL, MO · Member since 2008 · 294 posts · 152 votes
14y
I have only SFRs right now so I have 2 keys. I try one and if it doesn't work, the other one does and they're both with me all the time. I'm putting an offer on a 2 family and if I get it, I'll go to 3 keys so I can switch them out. To me, it's worth the $5 per lock to have a new property rekeyed to my key instead of adding another key. I use the same lock sets for rehabs and then change them out once they're sold.
The Quickset 4 packs sold at Lowe's and HD-2 door and 2 deadbolt-have a code on the package so you can look to buy matching sets.
Real Estate Investor · Redlands, CA · Member since 2010 · 14 posts · 4 votes
14y
Thank you all for your suggestions! I am going to order the stamps Jon suggested in his post. The price is good and I like all the suggestions about using abbreviations or two letter codes :)
Investor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 450 votes
14y
Originally posted by Steve Babiak:
Originally posted by Jon Holdman:
...
There are "landlord" locks available online that allow master keys, individual keys and easy changes. I've not done that, but I am in the process of converting to the kwikset locks that have the easy changing feature. Those locks work amazingly better than the cheapie defiant locks and I can change keys without having to change the lockset.
Jon,
If those are the SmartKey from QwikSet, then the easy re-key only applies to deadbolt locks; the doorknob locks don't re-key in that same easy way.
Actually they do. I have a set on my my rental. Keyed two knobs and two deadbolts all to the same key. They are a little pricey, but I think it makes up for itself after one turnover. I paid about 50 bucks for each of two door knob/dead bolt sets at HD and they are actually quite nice with a smooth action.
Maybe its a new feature? I bought mine about 5 months ago.
Flipper/Rehabber · Lake Isabella, CA · Member since 2011 · 969 posts · 488 votes
14y
Originally posted by Nathan Emmert:
I got the paper tags from Home Depot... 200 of them for a few dollars. Each key gets a tag with abbreviated address and unit number.
I don't like the stamping idea as I want to be able to change out locks between tenants and reuse the lock elsewhere in the future.
My bigger issue is where to keep them. My house is 30 minutes south of where I work, my rentals are 45 minutes north. It's convenient to go straight up there but that means I need to keep the keys someplace but home... and we have 3 cars... hmmm...
I use the same paper ring with abbreviation. The tags I use have a metal ring surrounding the paper. They have held up pretty well over the years. I bought 100 or so on ebay.
I have found that an old parts bin works best. Kind of like what a fisherman would use to organize flies or hooks in. The one I have is about 12in x 20in and its about 2in deep and had a ton of little bins. It holds all my rental keys, it lives in my office but can be quickly grabbed for a trip to my properties.
When I got it, it was full of small bolts, nuts and washers.
Investor · Fort Worth, TX · Member since 2011 · 1k+ posts · 450 votes
14y
Originally posted by Steve Babiak:
Have you re-keyed the doorknob? Yes, the original keys for doorknob and deadbolt match, but once you re-key the deadbolt ...
Yeah. I re-keyed the door knob. I bought two new sets; each of which were packaged with different keys. I installed both sets and then took the key from one set and re-keyed the dead bolt and the door knob of the second set to match the key for the first set. I also did it the other way around to make sure the re-keying method functioned properly in both sets. So, right now, all four items (2 knobs and 2 bolts) are operated with one key. I can re-key all the knobs and bolts to match any Qwuickset key - even one from a standard knob or bolt. Its pretty slick!
Now, if you have multiple units, you would still have to track your keys even using the Quickset system. It is just easier to re-key between tenants. Also, I keep a set of instructions along with the required pin in my tool box because I'll probably forget how to do it by the time I need to do it again!
Homeowner · Buffalo, NY · Member since 2009 · 4 posts · 2 votes
14y
Lockboxes work great.
* If your tenant locks themselves out you can charge them for the code; 1/2 the price and no wait compared to a locksmith.
* You can give the lock box code to various people as needed (i.e. Utility, medical, maintenance, or police) to access the unit, without wasting anyone's time.
Locksmiths
If you have lots of places negotiate a deal with a locksmith who will code your keys for you (~$12/ lockset door + deadbolt). About 15 keyed sets can easily cover 30 - 60 units. It's also helpful to have a locksmith make and issue a key (based on his master list) for you on rare occasions. A tenant or maintenance person can then pick up a key from the locksmith.
I have a rental in an area of town that has really changed for the worse. It has an alarm system inside. When giving keys to my contractor, etc, I meet them at the property so they know where it is, and the tag attached to the key has the alarm code and street name (#### street) instead of the house numbers and street name.
This way, I don't have to keep reminding them what the alarm code is, and if the key is lost, and picked up by someone else, it will never get them into my building. They take it to some other address where it won't work.
Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
14y
u guys kill me. i was thinking of starting a thread on this just the other day, but did not have the time.
so, speaking of my keys, here's what i do. i get the kwiqkset key for all my doors and houses. it can be re-keyed and i essentially use just one key to enter all houses. they are $50 for a deadbolt and a lock. both can be re-keyed.
here comes the problem.. they have started to give me trouble. it started a month ago when i had to let the city inspector in and i could not open the deadbolt. the bottom opened, but not the deadbolt.
went to the back door and the opposite was happening - opened the deadbolt, but not the lock. the city charged me $50 for a missed appt.
i have since found issues with the other houses. and i am pissed. i have spent over $500 on locks and the company said "you have to drill them out if you can't open them".
locksmiths all over know this issue. amazon reviews confirm the issues. amazing concept, but poorly executed.
that's why Schlage discontinued their re-key version. too many issues and customers getting pissed off.
Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
14y
shortly thereafter i emailed a locksmith and here's what he said:
"The most durable option is Interchangable cores (also referred to as IC core). My recommendation is to install IC core deadbolts and passage handles. The cores can be removed with a control key and swapped out easily. Typically, you would keep a couple spare cores and just rotate them through your various properties."
but i think these are pricier than the options that we are looking at.
Landlord/Mentor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2011 · 96 posts · 97 votes
14y
I just wrote a plst of how I solved this problem. It works great for myself and my friends that do this... http://www.biggerpockets.com/blogs/2918/blog_posts/22360-the-problem-with-all-of-these-keys
Investor · Orlando, FL · Member since 2012 · 431 posts · 106 votes
14y
Did anyone see Shark Tank last night? The Unikey system looks fantastic for showing real estate / rentals and not having to always wonder where your keys are since your phone can open the locks as well as give others access to the locks.
Investor, Entrepreneur, Educator · Springfield, MO · Member since 2009 · 21k+ posts · 12k+ votes
14y
I use ket tags like car dealers in a key box and keep it in the safe. A code system like Mitch mentioned means if it is lost no one will know where it goes.
But, last night I saw a TV show, Shark Tank, kinda funny, any way one guy presented a deal that was an app for smart phones to lock/unlock doors. You could send a one time use to other phones, set time limits, delete codes and still use a key. I thought it would be great for lock outs and allowing workers in and out, even showings. Kinda pricey, Black & Decker was mentioned as an interested party and two heavy hitters bought in to the guys company.....maybe it's out by now, I don't know, but thought it would solve many key problems.
Rental Property Investor · Charlotte NC Fort Mill SC Lake Wylie SC, SC · Member since 2009 · 174 posts · 103 votes
14y
I feel your pain: keys for each house, storage buildings, work trailers, padlocks, etc. It can be a mess.
Currently, I use a very sophisticated system I like to call "label-on-a-hook." ;) All my keys are attached to little plastic tags, labeled with just the street name, and organized alphabetically. One original key is hung on the hook first with a label marked "do not remove"--that stays on the peg board no matter what. Then additional copies (if there are any) go on the same hook with their own plastic label.
The plastic labels are very durable, and I can write directly on them or stick a paper label on them. I got them from an office supply shop, and they're made by MMF Industries.
I didn't built a board or anything--I simply inserted little cup hooks inside a door in my office. The little clanging noise they make when I open the door is not the least bit annoying--in fact, the louder it is, the bigger I smile.
I have simplified my life drastically by using only keyed deadbolts and passage locks. Each of my properties is keyed separately. Some of my properties are very close to eachother, and it's a very small town--I would not be comfortable having each property keyed the same.
Now I am considering going for one of those master key systems, where the tenant's keys open only their home--not the locks on another of my properties--but I have just one key in my possession which would open all units. I like that.