Vacation Rental Electronic Lock Recommendation Beach Home

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Vacation Rental Electronic Lock Recommendation Beach Home

Real Estate Agent · Englewood/Venice FL · Member since 2019 · 1 post · 0 votes

I am replacing the front door on my beach home turning the property into an STR AirBnB rental. I want to install a durable electronic lock that can handle the environment and doesn't have battery issues. Can anyone recommend a quality electronic lock system?

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Camille Ball

Investor · Sevierville, TN · Member since 2018 · 13 posts · 25 votes

We use the Schlage Encode locks for our rentals. They use AA batteries that should be changed every 4-6 months depending the amount of use to ensure they don't die. It does comes with a key that we have hidden at our properties just in case there are any battery problems. So far, it's been smooth sailing, and we've been using them for about 18 months. Schlage has a lifetime warranty too.

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Sofia Sharkey
Property Manager · Kansas City, MO · Member since 2018 · 280 posts · 221 votes
6y
@Bill Williamson I use lockstate and has been wonderful. I tried August and other systems but they all gave me issues.
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Camille Ball
Investor · Sevierville, TN · Member since 2018 · 13 posts · 25 votes
6y
We use the Schlage Encode locks for our rentals. They use AA batteries that should be changed every 4-6 months depending the amount of use to ensure they don't die. It does comes with a key that we have hidden at our properties just in case there are any battery problems. So far, it's been smooth sailing, and we've been using them for about 18 months. Schlage has a lifetime warranty too.
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Julian Sage
Property Manager · FL · Member since 2018 · 104 posts · 36 votes
6y
@Bill Williams August lock w/ Keypad. Integrates with Airbnb for sending codes & automatically changes them. If the app is giving trouble just have them use the keypad.
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
Hey @Bill Williams, welcome to the forum. I use the Schlage Smart Connect (Camelot) for our main lock. I have it attached to a Samsung Smart Things hub via ZWAVE. It uses AA batteries and I get about a year out of them give or take.
ZWAVE radios take much less energy than WiFi and that is especially important with battery powered devices. The SmartThings app can control it no problem. It gives me a battery read out and I can add and delete guest codes anytime.
We have a strong 4 seasons in north Idaho and after 3 years it still looks the same. I don't know how well it fares in salt air conditions.

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Brandon VukelichBusiness Member
Real Estate Broker · Tacoma, WA: 🏢 27 LTRs 🏡 3 STRs · Member since 2018 · 549 posts · 458 votes
6y
Ditto to the Schlage Encode.
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Joey Morea
Lender · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 149 posts · 102 votes
6y
@Bill Williams
Kaba 660i will be the most durable doesn’t require a WiFi connection
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
@Joey Morea, how do you add and delete guest codes with that lock remotely?

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Joey Morea
Lender · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 149 posts · 102 votes
6y
@Michael Baum
It has an algarihthim and there is codes that are already preset for a infinite amount of date combinations and it basically retrieve that code when you select the date range you want. It’s a very solid lock.
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
Really? Very interesting. I am into algorithms. Gonna check that out.
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Joey Morea
Lender · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 149 posts · 102 votes
6y
@Michael Baum
Yeah it works great. Now I will say I had that lock on my rental but I switched it out to a remote lock cg 7i WiFi lock it’s great that it gives you alerts when people check in and cleaners open door etc but it has been giving me issues lately and thinking about switching back to the kaba lock. It’s just not as initiative from a user standpoint with just a few rentals vs a large management company.
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
Ok! Just read about the Dormakaba Oracode 660i. The 660i requires a Zigbee connection and then connect to the internet to work and provide codes. The website generates random, time sensitive, 6 digit codes.

The 660k version comes pre-programmed with codes for your account. It doesn't need an ACTIVE internet connection. You need to connect it to the internet in order to change codes or get any kind of audit trail of the lock.

It is $499 and it requires a $14 per month subscription in order to work.

It is rated as very weather resistant which is nice. I can't see where you can change the codes yourself without the internet connection and the app. Definitely designed and marketed to professionals like hotels and property managers in areas where you want hands off security.

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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
I get alerts from the SmartThings hub with the lock is used and by who. I can see every time the lock is accessed which is nice.
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Ryan Foster
Rental Property Investor · Chandler, AZ · Member since 2019 · 42 posts · 44 votes
6y
I am another vote for RemoteLock. The integration with the platforms is a huge timesaver and enforces the property check in/out times with the guest. Well worth the money for the automation alone.
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Brian G.
Rental Property Investor · Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
6y
@Bill Williams I do exactly what @Michael Baum does. No issues so far.
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Jack Chase
Member since 2020 · 12 posts · 6 votes
6y
Does anyone use the Nest x Yale lock? Looks very similar to the August options and would pair nicely with a Nest thermostat. Both can currently be purchased for ~$500 which I'm close to pulling the trigger on.
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Joey Morea
Lender · Tampa, FL · Member since 2018 · 149 posts · 102 votes
6y
@Jack Chase
I have the Yale yrd216 on another property. From my research I picked that one since it had traditional buttons and a key so I can still hide a key in a lockbox nearby. Less chance for failure in my opinion.
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Jim Edelson
Member since 2020 · 8 posts · 2 votes
6y
I've been researching this lately. We have been using Schlage keypad locks for a few years. These are not Smart locks and I'm wanting the Smart lock capabilities. The Schlage Encode is looking like the best option to me. You will find people that hate them (via reviews), but for the most part people are getting along okay with these.
I don't like that the keypad is not a raised, back lit keypad like the locks that we have been using. Other than that, this lock looks good.
some things to be aware of. 1 - the deadbolt needs to fit really well into the receiver. If it doesn't you'll wear out batteries in a hurry. 2 - the lock requires a 2.4 Ghz wireless network. 3 - I believe there are settings in the lock for how often the wireless component communicates with the hub. this is significant for battery life. You want it communicating as little as possible.
Because these locks both operate the deadbolt and power a wireless communication they wear out batteries at a pretty good clip.
The beauty is that you can control the lock from your phone via an app. You can program new codes and remove old codes via the App. These are the things that I want most.
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Carlos H DeOliveira
RI · Member since 2019 · 64 posts · 48 votes
6y
I use the Yale SL, I manage it through my ring alarm/ring doorbell.
I have that same lock in 4 houses, haven't had an issue and the double A batteries have lasted over 10 months so far.
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
Just an FYI on the Encode. It is a WiFi lock. WiFi radios use much more energy than ZWave or Zigbee protocol radios.
Almost all WiFi radios are set at full power from the get. That is about 100mW on a 2.4ghz radio. That is to get the widest coverage.
ZWave and Zigbee radios use a max of 20mW but most use between 1 and 1.5mW of juice.
That is why the batteries go out so fast in WiFi radio locks. If you are looking for longevity in the batteries, setup a ZWave or Zigbee home automation setup.
I get a year out of 3AA batteries in my Schlage Smart Connect.

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Robert W.
Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 3 posts · 2 votes
6y
to add, we do the same thing as @Michael Baum does. and ironically, not too far from him (shelton, wa) :)
the thing works really well and we are able to easily add/remove codes as desired. Right now I program/delete as guests come and go, but you could also do it far less than that.
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Avery CarlBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · USA · Member since 2016 · 909 posts · 1k+ votes
6y
Yale + Nest door lock. Don't buy the actual Nest thermostat for a VR though. Get the Honeywell version.
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Jack Chase
Member since 2020 · 12 posts · 6 votes
6y
@Avery Carl which version of the Honeywell do you use? And why do you recommend it over the Nest?
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Jim Edelson
Member since 2020 · 8 posts · 2 votes
6y
@Michael Baum regarding using zwave or zigbee technology - are you using the Schlage Smart Connect? I read on a thread from another site that the downside to this setup is that the receiver for the SmartConnect needs to be near the lock, and it requires a power source. This concerned me because a plugin device could easily be removed by a renter. That is why I'm leaning towards the Encode. The built in wireless will require more frequent battery replacement but there are no 'moving parts' between the lock and the wireless hub.
I'm not being critical of your choice, just trying to learn. For example, in one house that we rent there would only be one outlet close enough to work and it could easily be co-opted for somebodies laptop or phone.
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Robert W.
Los Angeles, CA · Member since 2015 · 3 posts · 2 votes
6y
@Jim Edelson
yea, that's the same guidance we had -- and I was actually happy to comply because it's essential to us that it works 100.000%. The best way to do it is to actually get a built-in outlet with zwave (e.g., something like https://www.homedepot.com/p/Leviton-Decora-Z-Wave-Controls-15-Amp-Tamper-Resistant-Split-Duplex-Receptacle-White-Light-Almond-R04-DZR15-1RZ/301187575 ) that way NO ONE should be messing with it.
What we did though was the following:
Added a switch/repeater to control the TV -- I never turn it on/off, but it's behind the tv and I doubt folks will mess with it since the TV is plugged into it.
Added a repeater to the furnace room -- again, hidden so people won't mess with it
Added another repeater in a cabinet -- again, hidden to people won't mess with it. This one is co-located with a wifi repeater, so again, people I think who may see it, will see the flashing lights and think: "this is doing something, I need to not touch it"
I definitely overindexed on this, but it's super important to me that the door lock works with a large amount of redundancy. The nice thing also about all of these items is that they are all plug-ins, so no battery changes needed.
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Michael BaumPro Member
Olympia, WA · Member since 2016 · 8k+ posts · 7k+ votes
6y
Hey @Jim Edelson, I have the SmartThings hub right out next to the DSL modem. I had a Wink 2 before the Samsung unit and no one has ever messed with it as far as I know.

I get alerts when the hub goes offline and comes back. That is due to our rural location and DSL.

I am using the Schlage Smart Connect and it does require a Z Wave hub. Z Wave has a fairly long connection distance of 100m, but it is highly recommended that devices be within 30 feet. Our hub is right in the corner and the Emerson Sensi thermostat is about 15 feet away and the Schlage is about 12 feet from that.

The beauty of Z wave is like @Robert W. said. Each device acts as a repeater. So you could put the hub in a locked closet with the next device fairly close (like the nearest outlet) and go from there.
Like I said in the beginning, we have the hub right out in the open and no one has ever messed with it let alone took it.
Now our waffle makers...they seem to walk off!

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