Why smart locks are a smart vacation rental business decision.

Frequently asked questions about smart locks for vacation rentals

Do you manage a vacation rental? Then you really ought to have a smart lock. If you’re preparing for spring and summer business, let Schlage answer your questions about how this simple upgrade can improve the security of your rental property and help boost business.

It’s always a hassle exchanging keys. How can a smart lock make that easier?

Because no key is required to lock and unlock a smart lock, there’s nothing physical to exchange. You provide a unique access code for your guest, which can be done via text, email or, in some cases, directly through the booking website. This means that you never have to wait around for your guests to arrive, freeing you up to do what matters most to you.

Can I control when guests have access to my rental property?

Absolutely. With the Schlage Encode™ family of WiFi smart locks - Schlage Encode Plus™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt, Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Deadbolt and Schlage Encode™ Smart WiFi Lever - you can schedule access codes to be active only at certain times. For example, if you know your guests are staying Friday through Tuesday, simply use the Schlage Home app on your smartphone to schedule the access code for Friday after noon – when your house cleaner is finished making the place shine – through Tuesday night. Your guests have access when they need it and there’s no worrying if someone is entering the house when they shouldn’t be.

Because you don’t need to provide a physical key, it’s impossible for guests to lose their key or make a copy and come back later when they haven’t booked a stay. Access code entry gives convenience to both you and your guests, while adding a layer of security and peace of mind.

What if a guest forgets their access code?

The solution is a lot easier than if they lose the key. If a guest forgets their smart lock access code, simply message them the access code you originally assigned to them. And because you create any code you like, you can make it something guests won’t easily forget, like the last four digits of their phone number.

And as a fail-safe, you can always step in to help guests by locking and unlocking your smart lock from anywhere within the Schlage Home app.

How can I tell if the house is secure? If I don’t have to get the key returned, there’s no way to know if the guest locked up when they left.

When you have any of our three Schlage Encode family WiFi locks paired with the Schlage Home app, you can check your lock’s status at any time, from anywhere. If you know your guests have departed but your app says the door is unlocked, a simple tap on your smartphone screen can secure the deadbolt.

Can I give access codes to others, like house cleaners or maintenance workers?

You can give access codes to as many trusted individuals as you like, including those working for you to keep your rental property running perfectly. Schlage Encode family smart locks have memory for up to 100 unique access codes, while the Schlage Connect™ Smart Deadbolt (not compatible with the Schlage Home app) holds up to 30. Give service providers their own unique code on a permanent basis or only during certain time windows when they should be completing jobs for you – you have control to set up always, recurring or temporary access codes in your lock’s “Manage Access” settings. Again, there are no spare keys to worry about, and you can see when the cleaners come and go using the Schlage Home app’s history log. Or, when you set up their access code, you can choose to get a push notification on your phone whenever their code is used.

If you have interior doors where you need to control access – maybe a supply closet or a room of personal belongings – the Schlage Encode Lever fits any residential door that uses a knob or lever, giving you the convenience of smart lock security within your vacation rental. For your supply closet, this means easily granting your cleaner access to extra bedding, paper supplies, light bulbs, batteries and cleaning chemicals – without having to worry that those supplies could be rifled through by guests.

How can a smart lock help my rental property make more money?

While smart locks tend to be pricier than traditional mechanical deadbolts, adding quality door hardware is worth the investment. Smart locks give greater peace of mind to both you and your guests, making it more likely that they’ll be willing to pay a little extra to stay with you. When potential visitors view pictures of your vacation rental, a front door with a Schlage smart lock shows guests that you take their safety seriously, which can be a deciding factor in whether they choose you over a competitor. And from a simple dollars and cents perspective, you’ll save money when you no longer have to replace keys, rekey your locks after losing a spare key, or waste time trying to navigate vacation rental access issues when you could be using your time more valuably.

Don’t underestimate the draw of a smart home, either. Consider a home automation system that allows you to link multiple smart devices and create convenient scenes. For example, with a smart thermostat, smart speakers, smart lights and a smart deadbolt, you can create a “Welcome” scene. When guests unlock your smart lock, you can use that as a trigger to turn on smart lights, adjust the house to the perfect temperature, or even play music on your smart speakers, giving your guests a warm and exciting arrival. It’s attention to these details that make guests leave glowing reviews and want to come back for more.

Do guests really care if the property has a smart lock or a traditional deadbolt?

Yes! More travelers are recognizing the superior security smart locks provide. That means they feel more comfortable staying at your property and leaving their belongings in your rental home. Quite simply, if they don’t feel safe, they won’t come.

Many also appreciate the same convenience you do – not needing to wait for you to show up with the key, mess with an annoying lock box, return keys at the end of their visit, or worry about carrying or losing a key while they’re sightseeing. It’s small upgrades like this one that send a strong positive message to guests.

What is the best smart lock for Airbnb hosts?

Schlage Encode™ family smart locks all integrate directly with the Airbnb platform, making it effortless to streamline the check-in and checkout process with automatically generated access codes for guests, removing the need to create unique codes for each guest manually. Access codes will be shared with the guests at the time of booking—codes are only active during their trip—and are automatically deactivated after checkout. Hosts can extend a guest’s reservation as needed in the Airbnb app, and the code will automatically update to remain active through the updated reservation length.

When you upgrade to the safety, style and simplicity of a Schlage smart lock, you’re giving your business – and your house guests – the peace of mind and convenience that pays off for everyone.