Kwikset SmartKeys

Kwikset SmartKeys

Rental Property Investor · The Vampire State · Member since 2013 · 2k+ posts · 2k+ votes

Okay, I was "sold" on this product by an associate at a home improvement box store.  either I misunderstood, or he was uninformed.  I thought that the key included in the box was a "master" key, and that it could make another key(s) also work in the lock, but it turns out that once you use the original key to make another one work, the original one no longer works - making the new key the only working key.

So, an unintended consequence of this is an unscrupulous tenant could take another key of his/her liking, and "in 30 seconds" (as the vendor marketing claims) render his landlord's key useless by making his own key the "master key."  The rekey kits (with the little tool which I am sure can be improvised) are $10 in the box stores.

Anyone else see this as an issue, or had an experience similar to what I am describing?

Sure, tenants could change the locksets on any of us, but this takes waaaaaaay less time and effort to lock out the landlord.

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Investor · Grosse Pointe Park, MI · Member since 2015 · 164 posts · 64 votes
11y

How many tenants know what a smartkey is and pay enough attention to the locks to know that they are smartkey locks and have the desire to re-key the locks. There are so many problems that a bad tenant can cause and this is pretty low down on the list for me.

On a sidenote, I love the smartkey locks. They are a pretty quality lock and they are really easy to re-key when the need arises.

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  • Investor · Grosse Pointe Park, MI · Member since 2015 · 164 posts · 64 votes
    11y

    How many tenants know what a smartkey is and pay enough attention to the locks to know that they are smartkey locks and have the desire to re-key the locks. There are so many problems that a bad tenant can cause and this is pretty low down on the list for me.

    On a sidenote, I love the smartkey locks. They are a pretty quality lock and they are really easy to re-key when the need arises.

  • Real Estate Investor · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2014 · 21 posts · 7 votes
    11y

    @Wesley W.,

    You make a great point. No, it's definitely NOT a Master key unfortunately. Our company has used this product on some of our units (as a test case) for a few years now and we've been quite pleased. However (as long as I'm following your point) if the tenant wanted to change the locks/re-key they would have to gain access to the special "tool" you're describing. Not that difficult to do, I know. So if I'm understanding correctly, that is in fact a downside to the Smart Key system. :-/

  • Developer · Palm Harbor, FL · Member since 2015 · 307 posts · 96 votes
    11y

    I see your concern and actually never thought about a Tennant changing the key, if they did you'd just have to call a locksmith but my guess is there would be bigger problems to deal with if the tenant is locking you out! I've used them for years and love them 

  • Warner Robins, GA · Member since 2014 · 56 posts · 17 votes
    11y

    If you find out the tenant rekeyed, slap him with whatever charge you (hopefully) had outlined in your lease. 

    I use LandlordLocks. The locks have a master key, contractor key, and tenant key. The tenant key works for just a set of locks. The master and contractor key works for all the locks you order from the company. However, the master key allows you to remove the core of the lock to exchange for a different set when turning over the property. My contractor/maintenance guy has just the contractor key and can service all my properties without having to worry about a set of keys or updating him with lock changes, etc. It's a small win but I'll take it. :)

  • Realtor · Schaumburg, IL · Member since 2011 · 289 posts · 118 votes
    11y

    @Wesley W. great point. Personally, we use a Schlage lock set. I feel the quality of lock is much better than kwikset. Just had a client purchase a set, changed the keys real quickly, but when installed, the lock would get stuck and not release itself. He went and bought a Schlage set, worked like a charm. Schlages are much more expensive, but I prefer them. 

  • Adam BartomeoBusiness Member
    Real Estate Broker · Cape Coral, FL · Member since 2015 · 2k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Listen, if your tenants wanted to lock you out of the building they wouldn't bother trying to figure out how to use the smart key. They would get their handy dandy Phillips head and change the lock. It's 4 screws.

  • Property Manager · Livonia, MI · Member since 2011 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    I had issues with smart lock.  my key would open the deadbolt and not the lock.  the back door was reversed. but the tenant key wouldn't have a problem.  I hate it. so I now use defiant.  30 bucks gives u 2 locks and 2 deadbolts. 

    I am not payin more for these things! 

  • Investor · Boston, MA · Member since 2015 · 398 posts · 147 votes
    11y

    I have kwikset keys, and on all the locks that had them, after awhile they stopped working!  Meaning NO KEY could open them!  I had to take them apart with tweezers and then use the special tool to rekey the lock, only to have it fail again later.  Not worth the effort IMO, perhaps I just got a bad set.  Some special locks weren't even able to take the cylinder out, kwikset sent me entire replacement parts free when that happened.

  • Chris K.Pro Member
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 655 votes
    11y

    I was a major fan of the Kwikset Smartkey locks and had them on all of my houses. I had 6-7 different keys that I would rotate around the properties. Issue with that was that i had to carry around a bunch of keys and keeping track of what key was on what house became a hassle. I also had a few instances where keys would start acting funny where you'd have to jiggle it just right for it to open the door. 

    I wound up switching everything to Landlordlocks. As Justin mentioned now I only have to carry around one master key for any set that I buy from them and they're extremely easy to switch the cores out during any turnover. You can order them in multiple configurations. Sounds like landlord locks was what you were origially looking for.

  • Ronald PerichPro Member
    Investor · Granite City, IL · Member since 2014 · 658 posts · 301 votes
    11y

    I went with Landlordlocks as well. They are a bit tricky to install your first time through, but then are a snap. You can go to their website to look around, but when you really decide it's time you should just give them a call. Don't bother using the online site.

  • Business Owner/Investor · Millersville, MD · Member since 2015 · 191 posts · 71 votes
    11y

    As a person who specializes in Security of all types, let me tell you of the magic of a 35 dollar uniform purchase online of a USPS or UPS outfit, and a 125 dollar RFID reader.

    They immediately unlock most low end "smart keys", especially since they broadcast their unlock sequence unencrypted, and even the ones that are "encrypted" are only aes 128 usually by default. A rainbow table will break that in about mmmm 2 minutes? Im sure I can tie my shoe, or get my duffle bag ready in that time.

    TL;DR, dont buy smart keys, they usually are a fast way for a free pass to a smart thief. 

    P.S. You can buy RFID readers online now. Courtesy of DefCon.

  • Financial services executive · Frederick, MD · Member since 2015 · 609 posts · 341 votes
    11y

    I think people's paranoia about locks is largely overblown. Any psychopath that is willing to come reenter a unit they no longer live in - risking getting shot or going to jail for burglary in the process - does not give a damn about a key. If it's so important they'll just come back and kick the door in. 

    People that move away hardly ever turn in to psychopathic burglars.

  • Specialist · Lakewood, CO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Logan Hicks:

    As a person who specializes in Security of all types, let me tell you of the magic of a 35 dollar uniform purchase online of a USPS or UPS outfit, and a 125 dollar RFID reader.

    They immediately unlock most low end "smart keys", especially since they broadcast their unlock sequence unencrypted, and even the ones that are "encrypted" are only aes 128 usually by default. A rainbow table will break that in about mmmm 2 minutes? Im sure I can tie my shoe, or get my duffle bag ready in that time.

    TL;DR, dont buy smart keys, they usually are a fast way for a free pass to a smart thief. 

    P.S. You can buy RFID readers online now. Courtesy of DefCon.

    None of these systems are electronic. These are mechanical systems that use a master key (a real, physical key) and a tool (a pointy metal toothpick thing). This has nothing to do with what you're talking about.

  • Broker · Logan, UT · Member since 2013 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    We loved them when doing property management.

    During turnovers, we'd rekey to a master for contractor access (and outgoing tenants no longer had access).  We could give keys to tenants prior to lease start and rekey to their key on the move-in date.

    Over hundreds of tenants and turnovers on this system, we never had a tenant try to change the locks.

    Kwikset sells the SmartKey in two qualities ANSI I and ANSI II.  We tried the ANSI II's for a while and abandoned them.  Constant problems.  The ANSI I's have been very reliable.  They're twice as much, but good locks.

  • Steve JeffriesPro Member
    Investor · Evansville, IN · Member since 2015 · 36 posts · 7 votes
    11y
    New to BP here, and looking to learn as much as I can. I currently have one property and am in contract for the second. I wanted to add that I have tried kwikset system. I worried about losing the tool, original key, or having troublesome tenants switching keys. I am thinking about installing the key pad entry door locks. This way I have a master code, can change codes for each tenant, and don't necessarily have to worry about the key. I have this type of entry in our home, but has anyone tried this on a rental?
  • Business Owner/Investor · Millersville, MD · Member since 2015 · 191 posts · 71 votes
    11y

    oOOOOh I see what youre talking about.


    NOoo, just go buy bulk sets of key sets with the same keycode.

    The odds of someone showing up to a house of yours, knowing the EXACT keycode to use, getting it, and going into a place is extremely low.

    like paranoia level low. Either that or you made some very serious enemies sometime in life.

    Either way, you can buy them in bulk online, and the lock and keys cost about 15-20 dollars total, door knob, dead bolt, and 2 keys per set.

  • Chris K.Pro Member
    Investor · Baltimore, MD · Member since 2012 · 1k+ posts · 655 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Logan Hicks:

    oOOOOh I see what youre talking about.


    NOoo, just go buy bulk sets of key sets with the same keycode.

    The odds of someone showing up to a house of yours, knowing the EXACT keycode to use, getting it, and going into a place is extremely low.

    like paranoia level low. Either that or you made some very serious enemies sometime in life.

    Either way, you can buy them in bulk online, and the lock and keys cost about 15-20 dollars total, door knob, dead bolt, and 2 keys per set.

     Earlier you said you specialize in Security and now you're suggesting the equivalent of using the same password for all your online accounts? :P

    I can't imagine the tenants in an 8-plex being too happy when they find out they all share the have the same key. I would highly suggest using a mixture of different key types for tenants.

  • Property Manager · Wyandotte, MI · Member since 2011 · 123 posts · 26 votes
    11y

    I didn't see mentioned, but on our multi families we use the kwikset smart key "key control" deadbolt. It has a key access for the tenant key, then if you spin the faceplate there is a key access for the master key. They can both be rekeyed when needed as long as you have the current working key.

    On all kwikset locks (regular smart key and key control deadbolt) If for some reason you don't have the current working key, kwikset sells a cylinder reset tool. To use it the lock must be disassembled and the cylinder removed, but then the tool allows you to rekey the lock to any key without having a current working key.

  • Ronald PerichPro Member
    Investor · Granite City, IL · Member since 2014 · 658 posts · 301 votes
    11y

    I had the opportunity to change the deadbolt core from a landlordlocks.com deadbolt for the first time this weekend. The change out is amazingly fast. About ten seconds from start to finish to change out the core and have a new lock installed. It was a little challenging to install,

    I got a different color core for my contractors so they can have their own set of keys while remodeling.

    And the master key works for all of them.

    The best advice for these is to buy the dummy handle and have the deadbolt for security. They have to use the key to lock the deadbolt when they leave so there should be less chance of a lockout. Just made sure you have the right size of dummy for the size of the door.

  • Real Estate Investor · Audubon, PA · Member since 2009 · 13k+ posts · 8k+ votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Josh Sterling:

    I didn't see mentioned, but on our multi families we use the kwikset smart key "key control" deadbolt. It has a key access for the tenant key, then if you spin the faceplate there is a key access for the master key. They can both be rekeyed when needed as long as you have the current working key.

    ...

    But that "master key" access is only in the deadbolt, so if the doorknob was re-keyed by the tenant - what good is that?

  • Ronald PerichPro Member
    Investor · Granite City, IL · Member since 2014 · 658 posts · 301 votes
    11y

    @Steve BabiakThat was why I put dummy handles for open/close. You have to lock via the deadbolt. No chance of accidentally locking out because you need the key to lock the deadbolt.

  • Property Manager · Wyandotte, MI · Member since 2011 · 123 posts · 26 votes
    11y

    @Steve Babiak We use a passage only set for the door knob. The extra benefit is that it is now impossible for a tenant to lock themselves out.

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