Remote access locks for maintenance access

[Marvin Meng]

I'm interested in switching to keyless entry locks that can be opened remotely. All I'm finding are web-based, which would run off of the house's (tenant's) wifi. Do any of you use this and how well does it work? Are the cell-based phones that don't require the house's wifi? I'm mainly interested in being able to let in maintenance and cleaning people when I can't be there.

Thanks!

[JD Martin]

You really don't need it. You can program multiple codes into the regular ones - they don't even have to have any internet access - and you could give the repair people that code for entry. If you're concerned that the repair people might then come back and gain entry into the house to rob it or assault the tenants, you need new cleaners/repair people because anyone that thinks that way can just as easily bust a window to let themselves in, kick in a door, etc.

Most of the time we connect the tenant with the repair person and let them work out access between them so that we don't have to be a third wheel trying to coordinate between 2 different schedules. When that doesn't work we have someone go to the property and let them in.

If you really want to go the remote lock avenue, offer the tenants a discount on the wi-fi. Or pay for permanent wi-fi yourself and include it in the rent (and raise the rent to cover the wi-fi) the way it's done with short term rentals.