Will smartlocks help phase out "rouge" tenants?

[Cynthia Stith]

So I'm in the process of removing 2 tenants who morphed into 8 people living in my SFH. I thought I did all the right things by hiring a licensed PM (not the cheapest) who answered my screening questions the best - and I am going to be taking repossession of the property in about 30 days.

I've been watching and reading some great things on tips for setting up virtual "showings" and I was researching lock boxes when I stumbled upon smart locks.  Is this the answer to helping solve how many people are living in your home when you rent it out?

Has anyone successfully used a smart lock instead of physical keys to help reduce the likelihood of multiple copies of your keys floating around?  I'm willing to pay for WIFI to manage this from a distance - but not sure if anyone has completely cut the "key" cord.

Let me know!

Thanks!

Cindy

[Marcia Maynard]

Smart locks is a term used by several manufacturers.... some with keys and some without.

You are probably referring to "keyless door locks", which may be mechanical or electronic. They may have push buttons or use a swipe card/fob.

Will such help prevent extra people from moving in? No. Tenant compliance is the key. As well as property managers who monitor the property and are quick to enforce the terms of the rental agreement when breaches occur. Placing good tenants that will adhere to the terms of the rental agreement is paramount. So is having a well written and enforceable contract that is in alignment with the landlord-tenant laws for your jurisdiction. Then having the moxie to enforce it.

Hopefully all will go well so you can indeed regain possession of your property soon. Some tenants "hold over" even after being asked to leave or court ordered to vacate, so keep an eye on the process. Have someone enter the unit (with proper legal notice) to do a "maintenance inspection".  Tenants who are forced to leave sometimes create damages on their way out.  Knowing the current condition of the house will help you prepare for the turnover.  Wishing you the best outcome!