Remote Locks for airbnb door locks??

Question

Has anyone used a company called Remote Locks for your short terms (Airbnb) rentals? I've researched this to death it seems and landed here. The company is based out of CO.  Almost finished with renovations of an old Victorian in Virginia that has a main entry door and then 4 separate 1br units inside. Also have 2 owners closets for cleaners that will be electronic. One upstairs and one down. I need a total of 7 remote access locks. This company has software that links directly to both Airbnb and Vrbo booking which automatically generates entry codes for the duration of the guest's stay. This same access code will also temporarily let them access the front door as well as their unit for the same booked stay. Quote is $1871 for all 7 electronic locks and includes one year subscription for the software which is $203. I want this to be as automated as possible. Any experienced thoughts before I pull the trigger?

Bryan Weiss · Answer

@Keith Hebert what has been your thoughts of the locks you selected?

Andrew Hatcher · Answer

It's surprising how much goes into choosing an automatic lock and choosing the right solution for your particular situation.  Unfortunately there's really not a short/easy answer here.

For starters, smart homes use different networking technologies to communicate between devices.  I personally believe Z-Wave devices create the most robust system (for your own understanding look up Z-Wave vs Zigbee vs Bluetooth vs Wi-Fi and the difference between a star network and a mesh network).  I've never purchased a Remote Lock but I have looked into them.  The majority of their locks use Wi-Fi to communicate, and I'm not a fan of this set-up.

I would recommend purchasing the following:

• A Z-Wave compatible lock from from one of the three main lock manufacturers.  When choosing a particular lock, pick one that is a ANSI/BHMA A156.3 Grade 1 certified as this is represents the highest quality:KwiksetYaleSchlage
• Kwikset
• Yale
• Schlage
• Purchase Samsung SmartThings hub to control the lock and connect it to Wi-Fi.
• Purchase the Rental Lock Automater app from the company RBoy Apps.Don't be fooled by the non-porfessionalism of this company web-site, they have some awesome products.  This application will completely automate your vacation rental check-in process.
• Don't be fooled by the non-porfessionalism of this company web-site, they have some awesome products.  This application will completely automate your vacation rental check-in process.

• Kwikset
• Yale
• Schlage

• Don't be fooled by the non-porfessionalism of this company web-site, they have some awesome products.  This application will completely automate your vacation rental check-in process.

Peter Amendola · Answer

@Keith Hebert Hey Keith!  So how did Virtual Key work out for you?  How much was the up front cost and monthly fee?  I

Keith Hebert · Answer

Hi Jake, We've had very good success with them on our individual apartment unit doors with virtually no issue. However, for some reason, our main building entry door continued to fail. We found ourselves continuing to apologize which was not at all good for Airbnb/short term guests. Because this entry door is an older original Victorian home door and didn't align exactly to the strike plate unlike the new individual unit doors, it appeared the lock was simply not strong enough to open and close automatically no matter how many times we attempted to adjust it. Very frustrating for guests. We decided to use an alternative lock here which only requires a code and manual turn of the deadbolt. The other issue that was/is confusing is that you need to always press a Check Mark button after entering the code for it to operate. Same for locking the door. You have to be 3rd grade level clear with guests in your automatic messaging to explain this because it just doesn't seem logical to folks. So...now the front door doesn't require and check mark BUT the unit door does. This created another hurdle folks and seemed to confuse them so we had to be super clear in our messaging here as well. Bottom line is that for Short term guests who haven't used your electronic locks before, you'll get LOTS of operator errors. For long terms guests, who have been successful using it once, they'll remember from there on. Hope this helps. Good luck.

Jake Cohen · Answer

@Keith Hebert how are your locks working out for you? Just had a consultation with them. Looks like they are now called Lynx. Thanks!

Stephen Solano · Answer

I'm curious on how everything has been with the company and smart locks you chose as well. Please update us when you see this!

Keith Hebert · Answer

Hey Andrew, thanks so much for the input. I decided on a company called Virtual Key and will be using all Yale touch pads as well as deadbolts. They will sync them at their office and send them already programmed and ready for installation. It’ll come along with a hub and a repeater to extend reach to a basement laundry room. I was thoroughly impressed with their operation when we did an online consultation. If you’ve ever heard of Vacasa homes, that’s who they use. They serve Over 200 cities and 10,000 plus short term properties. Very robust back end use with several fail safes in place for lock outs etc. they should arrive this week. Fingers crossed!

Remote Locks for airbnb door locks??

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