Best Lock for AirBnB and Holiday Homes | Types, Smart Locks, Features

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Security in rental properties such as Airbnb and holiday homes can be particularly challenging due to the nature of the business and the inflow and outflow of tenants from time to time.

Security locks are one such thing that needs to be chosen carefully since they are the first line of physical defence against burglaries and intrusions, and the owners of the rental properties have a duty to take care of the occupants.

In addition to that, there are regulations and insurance policies that require the properties to attain a minimum security standard.

There are several different types of locks for rented accommodations, from regular mechanical locks to keypad locks and smart locks controlled via smart devices.

To protect your rental property and its occupants, you need to invest in the right type of locks that offer both security and convenience.

Read on to find out the best locks for Airbnb and holiday homes, how to choose the best ones, and which ones are the most secure:

TYPES OF LOCKS FOR AIRBNB AND HOLIDAY HOMES

Generally speaking, and for those focused on budget, there are four main types of locks used throughout rental properties in the UK:

Cylinder locks/Euro locks: these are the standard lock type found in most homes across the country, especially those with modern uPVC and composite doors. They can be locked using a key from both sides of the door and often work with a multi-point locking mechanism.
Key-operated multi-point system: these systems are usually found on modern doors and are used to lock the doors at multiple locations to make intrusions and forced entries more difficult.
Rim automatic deadlatch: these locks come with a key-locking handle and are typically mounted on the inside of the door. They are referred to as automatic because the locking mechanism engages as soon as the door is closed. The door can be unlocked using the handle and can be locked from the inside using a key.
Five-lever mortice locks: these locks are commonly seen on several wooden and back doors, and can lock from both the inside and outside with a key, sometimes with a latch on the inside.

ELECTRONIC ACCESS CONTROL SYSTEMS

Electronic access control systems, also called keyless entry systems, are locking mechanisms that can be locked and unlocked without the need for a physical key. Instead, they use various other forms of authentication such as access cards, access codes, proximity fobs, fingerprints, retina patterns, and facial and voice recognition.

Keypad locks using access codes as a form of authentication are one of the most common options for Airbnb and holiday homes.

They allow the property owners to quickly and easily change access permissions and assign a new code to each guest using the property, keeping former guests out.

SMART LOCKS

With the rise of smart technology, smart locks are becoming more common in homes and rental properties such as Airbnb and holiday homes.

The best smart locks, although more expensive than traditional locks, allow you to operate them remotely from a mobile device.

They are ideal for landlords who receive a high volume of guests and tenants because they can easily change the locking codes on the system for each occupant remotely.

Here are the reasons you should invest in a smart lock for your rental property in the UK:

Saved time

Smart locks for Airbnb and holiday homes are a huge time saver for both you and your guests since they allow you to give access to them remotely from anywhere in the world. You do not have to hang around just to hand them the keys to your door.

You can control access permissions and make changes to the system all from your mobile phone, tablet, or laptop. Also, you can save time since there is no need to visit the locksmith to replace lost and compromised keys.

Be more informed

With the help of smart locks, you can receive updates and notifications of your guest’s arrival, cancellation, as well as their current status.

Since smart locks are integrated with your phone, tablet, and laptop via an app, you can receive alerts every time your guest uses the code to open the door to your property.

High security

With the help of special hardware on smart locks, they help make your property safer and the doors more difficult to bypass.

In addition to that, since they eliminate the need for physical keys, you don’t have to worry about the keys getting lost or stolen.

Therefore, it is safe to say that if you are looking for a high level of security, smart locks are your best bet for rental properties.

Great convenience

As a host for a rental property, such as an Airbnb or a holiday home, smart locks provide added convenience since all you need to manage your door security is your smartphone and a good internet connection.

Smart locks not only help you remotely control the access permissions but also let you monitor who comes in and goes out of your property.

FEATURES TO LOOK FOR IN A SMART LOCK

When looking for a smart lock for your rental property, you will come across a wide variety of options, but not all of them will be ideal for short-term rentals such as Airbnb and holiday homes.

There are several smart locks with different designs and features, most of which are designed to be used for casual domestic purposes or commercial properties.

Smart locks must have certain features to be suitable for your rental properties, which include:

Lock security

Being able to remotely assign different codes for different people is an important part of smart locks security for Airbnb and holiday homes since it means that you can always know who has been in and out of your property, e.g., your guests and the housekeeping staff.

Also, being able to change the codes remotely means that you can grant or revoke access for your guests depending on their stay and properly manage the security of your property.

Some advanced smart locks also allow you to time different codes so that you can allow certain people in only at certain times, such as the housekeeping staff being allowed inside only after the guests have left.

Being able to control and manage the system remotely offers real peace of mind, not only to the guests but also to you as the host of the rental property.

Ease of use

Since your rental properties are all about convenience and the guest’s experience, it makes sense to invest in smart locks that will suit the majority of the people using them.

Many smart locks can only be used with a smartphone, and while this may be a great feature for regular homes, it might not be the best option for Airbnb and holiday homes.

This may be so because some guests may be travelling from abroad and may not have a phone signal, others may be struggling to connect to the internet, or your property may be in a remote location where there are no phone signals at all.

Smartphone entry also requires the guests to have enough battery on their phones to be able to use them all the time. Additionally, it may require them to download a separate app on their phone before using the system, which may add more hassle and another barrier to entry.

Keeping all of this in mind, it is best to use key codes for entry since it means simply sending your guests the 4-digit code before they check-in, and the guests simply entering it in the system to let themselves in, even if their phone has no signal or is dead.

Remote access

When you are managing several rental properties, you may want to consider options to control the security system without having to be physically present on the premises.

With a remote access feature, you don’t have to worry about being on-site to hand over the keys to your guests, change the codes, or grant or revoke access permissions.

You can assure your guests that even if they arrive unexpectedly early or late while travelling, the locks can easily be activated and they can be let in without an issue.

Smart home integration

The great thing about smart locks as compared to traditional locks and electronic locks is that, in addition to giving access to guests, you can control the permissions, monitor the usage, and receive real-time notifications when the door is locked or unlocked.

What’s even greater is that they can be integrated with other smart home devices such as Google Assistant or Alexa for a more comprehensive smart experience.

When choosing smart locks, make sure they are compatible with the rest of the smart devices in your home, if you have any.

Alternative means of entry

Just as with any electronic system, smart locks also require proper use and regular maintenance to prolong their life and ensure they remain fault-free.

Smart locks come with multiple ways to access the system and, just to be on the safe side, they have manual key overrides in case the keyless technology fails.

Having this feature means that should there be an issue with one entry method, you could always rely on the other to open your door.

This can be extremely beneficial in preventing lock-outs and ensuring that your guests have a pleasant and comfortable stay.

WHAT ARE KEY EXCHANGE SERVICES?

If you decide to opt for traditional locks with physical keys for your rental properties, there are ways in which you can hand over the keys to your guests.

Ideally, you (the host), must be present to welcome your guests and personally hand over the keys to your property, but that isn’t always possible. For times like these, you may opt for a key exchange service or use a lock box or key safe to securely store your keys.

If your rental property is in an urban area, you may opt for a professional key holding service that offers a secure and convenient location for your guests to collect the keys from.

The keys can be collected any time of the day or night from their special 24-hour locations, without having to worry about late check-ins, which is something that is not easily available with stores and coffee shops, if you choose to leave your keys there.

Third-party key exchange services offer much more in terms of control by allowing you to track the status of the keys online and receiving notifications when your guests collect or drop off the keys at the location.

Another option is to use lock boxes and key safes, which are two of the cheapest and most convenient ways to hand over the keys to your guests without having to be physically present there or relying on a third party.

They are small storage devices placed outside your rental property, either on or near the door or on a wall, to securely store keys for your guests, and can be accessed using a security code sent to them by the host.

CONCLUSION

The best type of lock for your Airbnb and holiday homes depends mainly on the access type and the budget you are prepared to spend on it.

One issue with the widely used cylinder locks is that they rely on the cylinder as the weakest point, and according to the UK police, a huge percentage of burglaries involve snapping the cylinder on these locks to gain unauthorised access into the property.

When going for traditional locks, opt for anti-snap locks that are specially designed to prevent lock snapping. It must be noted that having multiple lock points is not a solution for lock snapping since it relies on the integrity of the cylinder.

Anti-snap locks differ from standard locks in that when a standard lock is snapped, the entire body of the lock breaks off, whereas with anti-snap cylinder locks, the body stays intact even when it is snapped. Because the lock is in two parts, the door remains locked even when part of the barrel is broken.

When opting for deadlocks, you must make sure they conform to BS3621 and have hardened steel security internals and can only be accessed via a key.

While anti-snap locks are a great option in terms of protection against lock-snapping, if you want added security, convenience, and ease of use, we recommend you go for electronic access control systems and smart locks that, albeit more expensive than the other options, help you save a significant amount of money in the long-run.

CONTACT CALDER SECURITY

We at Calder Security are members of the Master Locksmith Association (MLA) since 1976 and can work on a wide range of locking mechanisms.

We understand the needs and requirements of rental properties, such as Airbnb and holiday homes, and can offer the perfect solution to make the stay a pleasant and comfortable one for both the host and the guest.

We specialise in wooden, UPVC, and aluminium doors, and are the official suppliers for leading lock brands including Chubb, Yale, Securikey, and Garrison.

In addition to installation services, our professional locksmiths also offer repair services for when the locks become damaged or develop faults.

Our qualified locksmiths have an in-depth knowledge of all kinds of locks and can often repair them on site. We can also access locks that have become jammed, including safes, and can respond to your calls quickly which can be very useful if you’ve locked yourself out.

Our expert team of SSAIB approved installers can help you assess your security needs and offer the right type of access control system for your property including intercom, proximity fob, card swipe, keypad, and biometric systems that work with fingerprints or retina scans.

We also offer expert key cutting services from our Lock and Safe Shop in Wakefield where you can get your keys cut while you wait.

Using our state-of-the-art digital equipment, we can cut virtually any key including cylinder keys, mortice keys, dimple keys, Mul-T-Lock keys, padlock keys, locker keys, and safe keys to a high degree of accuracy without having to send them away to be cut.

Photo by Andrea Davis on Unsplash