I'm looking to improve upon the large keyring I have (17 units and mulitple service locks) - how/what product(s) do you use to manage your keys? Thanks!

Earnie's Landlord Locks! Search this website. We have gone from way too many keys to two each: One master to open every lock, including padlocks, and one to change out the cores in seconds.

Landlord locks.

Thanks all - definitely seems the investment in LL is the way to go!

Moby,

Scaling. If you want to grow you must have systems in place that ALLOW for growth which includes being able to delegate each task. Chasing keys slowed my growth. Plus I carried a whole briefcase of the original keys in case I needed to inside or needed a copy.

To scale up we must ELIMINATE time suckers.

Go to Ernie’s iCore webpage. They are a better quality and easier to swap.

The keys and the cylinders arrive professionally number stamped for YOUR series.

Master key gets into every door and padlock. Control key to swap out the cylinder in 3 seconds. Momma LOVES to see she has fresh locks.

I write the new key numbers on the lease. Done.

I no longer keep the original key on a hook because replacements ALWAYS work. I order replacement keys by email.

One of the best decisions I ever made! Saves me TONS of time and makes scaling easy. Buy a new property? Just add one more of the same locks.

I’ve never understood why a LL would pay a locksmith to change locks when they can do it themselves (or better yet my helpers!) in seconds. Some actually remove the lock, drive it the locksmith, stand around while he re-keys or drive back to pick it up, then drive to the house to reinstall the lock. An hour to change a lock! I’m tired just typing that!

Or pay $40...for what I can do in 3 seconds.

I am a contractor and locksmith. I do not trust my managers to hand a locked-out tenant a copy of their key, instead they hand over a master key so the tenant can let themselves inside their unit. The tenant can simply gauge the master key and have a copy made for under five bucks. Some security?

I like the idea of having a master key for myself so I can walk around with less than several hundred keys to all units and homes.

But I'd rather be safe than sorry. If a master key gets out, I am then responsible for all thtfts, assaults and problems.

As a contractor working for other property owners, when a tenant would get robbed, my name would be given as "A" person with access. Until I could prove I wasn't there, was working elsewhere and could have picked the lock with two paper clips, I didn't need a key, would the police look elsewhere.

Still,

Ernie can create a GRAND MASTER for you then a MASTER for each building.

Scott,

Ernie sells TRAP installation screws which require a special tool to remove.

Moby,

There is no KEY MANAGEMENT. The cylinder is use is marked on the lease. As we swap them out the old cylinders and old keys go into a tray and are married, cleaned, keys ordered as needed, and in another tray ready to use.

We clean the keys by soaking them in vinegar. They look bramd new and fresh.

EVERY key that goes out has our company keytag.

I use the icore LL locks and for the most part like them. I've had a couple issues with them freezing up, so I've started squirting graphite powder in them at each tenant change and cleaning the cores carefully when I remove them.

Also the bezels are very thin metal and damage easily.

I use only the deadbolt so it is impossible for the tenant to lock themselves out...you must walk out the door, and use your key to lock the deadbolt. I've never had a lockout call.

As stated, only deadbolts so no generally no lockout calls. Did have one set of tenants who said they broke one of the keys and lost the other. We charge $10 per key for replacements or extras or if not returned for some reason.

LOL GKARL, that's pretty funny right there.

I have thought about using the icore / landlord locks but haven't as of yet. I actually have the keys tagged (from the hardwood store with multi colored tabs) and just write the address code on them.

Hanging on the wall is a key box with the keys inside hanging.

I typically use (try to use) the kwikset keys and change the keys not the locks. I do property management for others so many times the owner "won't pay" (read as "that's too much")for the cost of an icore/landlord lock so I MAKE them at least pay for the kwikset ones or I CHARGE THEM $75 minimum to change out 2 locks. Each additional is $50. I'm tired of wasting my time and efforts. With the kwikset it's about the same time as the icore/ landlord locks ... not even a few minutes (unless it's all the doors).

Many times it takes me longer to walk through the property to ensure I have all the doors than it does to actually rekey the locks.

Plus - with managing others property - when/if they sell they don't want the landlord/icore locks ... the other locks are "regular" locks/handles, etc so no one really knows the difference.