anyone use landlord key system or also called master key system?

[Tina Lee]

Hi all, any landlord with more than 10 properties, have you have experience of installing master key system/ also called landlord key system one your apartment?

My new locksmith try to convence me to install those system on one of my unit and might be others as he explaint to me I keep one key for all units as master key. And each of my tenant has a different key.

Any advice on those who used those key? Are they worth it?

They are double of the price of normal key.

I do find every interesting the idea. However I wonder how practical is once we actually use them. Any cons?

Thanks

[Drew Sygit]

@Tina Lee good suggestion by @Nathan Gesner if you are DIY and have less than 20-30 or so doors.

Unfortunately, the system he suggests gets cumbersome to manage at a certain scale.

We've been using locksmiths for ages and here is how they do a master system:

MASTER KEY

- can have as many SFR doors you want under the master

-MUTLI-FAMILY: can then add another layer of submasters, so you have a key that only opens every door in the building
---Great for apartment type buildings where tenants often have a key for building entrance and another for unit entrance. You can just give them one key for both. Of course it makes changing building entrance key more difficult.

We've also learned to NOT install keyed handsets for SFR entry doors. Install a closet/passageway handset. Only key is for the deadbolt.

Why? Prevents tenants from accidently locking themselves out (need key to lock the deadbolt) and then creating emergency maintenance requests at all hours.

A keyed handset prvides little extra security against someone kicking in or prying open a door.