One of the simplest upgrades I've made to my rental properties has been Kwikset Smart

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One of the simplest upgrades I've made to my rental properties has been Kwikset Smart

Ryan SpathBusiness Member
Real Estate Agent · Boise, ID · Member since 2017 · 602 posts · 385 votes

I recently had a tenant turnover at one of my properties in Florida. Since I self-manage my rentals, especially the ones out of state, finding ways to make turnovers easier is always a priority.

One thing that's been a game changer is having Kwikset SmartKey locks installed. Rather than replacing locks every time a tenant moves out, I can have them re-keyed in minutes using a new key.

It's a small thing, but when you're managing multiple properties, these little efficiencies add up.

Curious what other landlords are doing. Are you using the same system, traditional locks, or have you moved to electronic keypads?

Always looking for ways to make managing rentals easier!

[email protected]208-600-2814
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Ed O.
Investor · Statewide, MO · Member since 2011 · 825 posts · 430 votes
1w

We've had reliability issues with smart keys and gave up. Bought 30 or so deadbolts on a black friday deal, within a year more than half had pins fail and keys not work. Gave up on them pretty quick. Lot's of people say when doors slam enough the pins shuffle a little. This especially sucks if you have one keyed point of access to a home and a contractor needs to get in.

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  • Marci MayesPro Member
    Real Estate Broker · Willis, TX · Member since 2019 · 75 posts · 39 votes
    1w

    @Ryan Spath

    We use Kwikset SmartKey locks as well. It makes changing the locks between tenants so much easier. Highly recommend!

    1Reply
  • Jim Johnson
    Real Estate Agent · Memphis · Member since 2026 · 621 posts · 358 votes
    1w

    I'd lean toward SmartKey for regular rentals, especially with how easy it makes rekeying between tenants. Keypads have their advantages, but batteries and maintenance are another thing to keep track of. For properties managed from a distance, having a simple way to change keys without replacing the whole lock is pretty practical.

    1Reply
    • Ryan SpathBusiness Member
      OP
      Real Estate Agent · Boise, ID · Member since 2017 · 602 posts · 385 votes
      1w

      This is my thought too, I have just noticed a lot of people personal residences have the keypad, but i agree when the batteries go out etc. it would be a pain.

      [email protected]208-600-2814
      0Reply
  • Randy Schell
    Hinton, WV · Member since 2026 · 287 posts · 46 votes
    1w

    Ryan, anything that makes a turnover quicker is a win in my book. Whatever lock you use, I'd jot down who has keys or codes at each turnover, because the sneaky problem is usually a copy nobody remembers....

    Randy, Bunklow

    1Reply
    • Ryan SpathBusiness Member
      OP
      Real Estate Agent · Boise, ID · Member since 2017 · 602 posts · 385 votes
      1w

      Yes valid point, we typically wait to have the key changed until what ever sub needs to enter the units

      [email protected]208-600-2814
      0Reply
  • Andy Patel
    Charlotte, NC · Member since 2026 · 6 posts · 3 votes
    1w

    @Ryan Spath We've been using Kwikset SmartKey for years, and it's worked well for us. Now we're looking for options to prevent tenants from rekeying or changing the locks.

    1Reply
  • Ed O.
    Investor · Statewide, MO · Member since 2011 · 825 posts · 430 votes
    1w

    We've had reliability issues with smart keys and gave up. Bought 30 or so deadbolts on a black friday deal, within a year more than half had pins fail and keys not work. Gave up on them pretty quick. Lot's of people say when doors slam enough the pins shuffle a little. This especially sucks if you have one keyed point of access to a home and a contractor needs to get in.

    2Reply
  • Chris SeveneyBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Investor · VA · Member since 2015 · 21k+ posts · 19k+ votes
    1w

    Which model did you go with?

    7e investments53 Reviews
    WebsiteView Page
    1Reply
    • Ryan SpathBusiness Member
      OP
      Real Estate Agent · Boise, ID · Member since 2017 · 602 posts · 385 votes
      6d

      [email protected]208-600-2814
      0Reply
    • Ed O.
      Investor · Statewide, MO · Member since 2011 · 825 posts · 430 votes
      1d

      For standard rentals we use landlord locks. It's a core system that uses sfic deadbolts. We can rekey a lock just as fast as a smart key. We use keypad deadbolts, 2 access points minimum, for specialized end users we work with.

      0Reply
  • Lee Futcher
    Technology · Vancouver, BC · Member since 2026 · 199 posts · 45 votes
    1w

    Hi Ryan,

    I love posts like this, because the small wins are the ones that add up when you self-manage from a distance.

    Randy's point about keeping a record of who has keys stuck with me. The rekey takes minutes, but the part that slips is the paper trail: who got a key, when it was changed, and which vendor still has one. A simple log that updates every time you rekey or hand one out saves a lot of guessing later.

    How many properties are you managing out of state now?

    Cheers,
    Lee

    1Reply
  • Lee Futcher
    Technology · Vancouver, BC · Member since 2026 · 199 posts · 45 votes
    6d

    Hey Ryan,

    Half a dozen from out of state is a real juggling act, and it explains why small upgrades like the smart locks make such a difference. Every trip you don't have to make to hand over a key or let a contractor in is time you get back.

    Adriana and I run our own businesses while traveling, and we learned that everything that matters needs to live in one place. For rentals, that's one simple page per property with the lock codes, who has access, the go-to plumber and handyman, and the date of the last visit. When something comes up from a few states away, it's all right there instead of buried in old texts.

    Thanks for coming back to answer this one!

    Talk soon,
    Lee

    1Reply
    • Ryan SpathBusiness Member
      OP
      Real Estate Agent · Boise, ID · Member since 2017 · 602 posts · 385 votes
      6d

      Sounds like you have a simple system that works. We do to. Self managing is not for everyone, however if you have the proper system, contacts, and expectations it can work amazing!

      [email protected]208-600-2814
      0Reply
  • Matthew Tregoning
    Property Manager · Melbourne, FL · Member since 2019 · 561 posts · 194 votes
    5d

    The last step I’d add to either setup is a physical entry test after the change. Have the local person try the new key or code with the door closed, and check any secondary entrance too. On the vacation-rental side, that final check belongs in the turnover handoff. A completed rekey or a code created in an app still needs to translate into someone getting through the door.

    1Reply
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