When the property has electronic keypad locks on the exterior entry doors, is it required (by law) for the landlord to also provide the tenant with a physical key? (Property located in Massachusetts)

Maybe someone else will correct me. I don't find any lock laws for Massachusetts except that a lock change is mandatory if the tenant reports a valid fear for their personal safety: CLICK HERE

That's the only guidance I find requiring mandatory lock law.

@Jessica Turner , you could put a combo lockbox on somewhere on the property with a physical key. This way if the tenant gets locked out, you can give them the combo to get in without making a trip. Then just collect the key later and put it back in the box and reprogram the combo on the box. 

You should have one anyways for trouble shooting. If anything have a lockbox in the back of the house for a lock out key so you do not have to be there to let tenants in the middle of the night. 

@Lien Vuong we have a physical copy and plan to keep it regardless. we’re currently house hacking but that’s a great idea for future properties

@Kevin Sobilo we’re currently house hacking but that’s a good idea for future properties! Though aside from the battery dying I don’t see how they could lock themselves out?

@Nathan G. Thanks!

@Jessica Turner why don't you want to give them a key? 

@Joe Splitrock didn’t say that I wouldn’t. Seems to be more simple and cheaper (by not having to change locks/ print keys) to provide a code for each unit but unsure of the legalities.

@Joe Splitrock also this is exterior door access to the common stairway not the unit itself.

@Jessica Turner

This method works great for Airbnb properties. It could work for normal rental property also.

But, I would have a back plan for them to still be able to enter the property.

@Jessica Turner

Not sure about the law, but I doubt they require that you provide a physical key, a code is still a key.

If you haven’t purchased the locks yet, i would recommend getting some that don’t have a key at all, that way you don’t ever have to change them. Because if you do end up needing to rekey it would be much more expensive to change the electronic locks. They make models that have battery terminals on the outside in case the battery dies and there are no keys to deal with.

Or if you still prefer to have a key, get one that you can rekey yourself, like a kwikset smartkey.

@Tyler Phalen we always look for multi purpose and trust technology only slightly haha. So we did go with a model that can use a key, but purchased the Kwikset due to us being able to rekey it ourselves or have a handyman do it in the future. Seemed more cost effective!