Key vs Keypad
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Key vs Keypad (by mapleaf18 [NY]) Feb 9, 2024 10:19 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by Jim in O C [CA]) Feb 9, 2024 10:27 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by jonny [NY]) Feb 9, 2024 10:39 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by Still Learning [NH]) Feb 9, 2024 10:40 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by Still Learning [NH]) Feb 9, 2024 10:42 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by mapleaf18 [NY]) Feb 9, 2024 10:54 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by jonny [NY]) Feb 9, 2024 11:16 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Feb 9, 2024 11:43 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by Still Learning [NH]) Feb 9, 2024 12:11 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by Allym [NJ]) Feb 9, 2024 12:24 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by Ken [NY]) Feb 9, 2024 12:31 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by Deanna [TX]) Feb 9, 2024 2:22 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Feb 9, 2024 2:33 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by MikeA [TX]) Feb 9, 2024 5:40 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Feb 9, 2024 6:21 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by Bonanza [NC]) Feb 9, 2024 7:47 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by 6x6 [TN]) Feb 10, 2024 6:25 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by Robin [WI]) Feb 11, 2024 5:32 PM
       Key vs Keypad (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Feb 12, 2024 6:37 AM
       Key vs Keypad (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Feb 12, 2024 6:41 AM


Key vs Keypad (by mapleaf18 [NY]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 10:19 AM
Message:

On the 4plex we just acquired, there is a common entrance, front and back. Hubby is convinced that you will get fewer lock out calls if you have KEYS than keypads. He received one call late (we go to bed at 8:30 pm so anything after that he considers "late") about a year ago where the tenant couldn't get in using her keypad.

Can't remember if it was a battery issue or what. I know that several brands of keypad locks have gone to crap. After that hubs wants to do nothing but keys (expensive) and we have not gotten into Landlord Locks yet. I should add that hubs has very little landlord experience and is a contractor by trade.

He wants a KEYED entrance for the common entrances and keypad for the apartments inside. I told him that people do lose their keys and lock themselves out all the time as witnesses by the many spare keys that fell out of the mailboxes as I was removing them for sanding and painting.

What say you? Best practices on common entrances? We also noticed that the former LL had a sign posted on the back door basically telling people to not prop that door open (LL is responsible for heating the common area).

How do you avoid people propping open common entrance way doors (my thoughts, you really can't)

--64.246.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Jim in O C [CA]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 10:27 AM
Message:

Since it is a common area place a sign UNDER VIDEO SURVEILLANCE and buy a dummy high quality camera, maybe’s one with a battery LED light.

--23.162.xx.x




Key vs Keypad (by jonny [NY]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 10:39 AM
Message:

I'm trying to venture into the keypad thoughts. I have them on two apartments right now (I did NOT provide the tenant with a key though). The reason I didn't is so that I don't have to worry about the keys getting lost, stolen, etc. as well as "I locked myself out" (which I have received at various times of the day).

With that said, I was sort of "forced" into it because the contractor that placed they keypad handle didn't take my advise (long story, not my building but I manage it) and didn't use one that I would have suggested (which the other one he placed he did but now I have a handle and a deadbolt).

He placed the deadbolt as the keypad and I will switch the handle to one that is not lockable (it's vacant currently).

So far, no issues but the tenant has only been in there a few months. I figure at some point it has to tell them the battery is getting low so hopefully they figure that out BEFORE they are locked out. I do plan on going there to specifically see how it's doing 6 months in (because I'm not sure how long they last).

I'm assuming it's going to depend on usage so a main door to a multi apt building will get more use than one on an apt door I assume so those may need to be changed more often. --69.201.xx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 10:40 AM
Message:

I have keypad on front and back common doors. Each apartment gets a code along with emergency services, usps, FedEx, ups. At the end if a tenancy, I wipe that person’s code and enter the new one. They do have a key back up and there is a key box mounted on the building if needed in an emergency. With front and back common doors, it would be unusual that both keypads went down. I change the 9V every fall when I check smoke detectors. Interior apartment doors are landlord lock deadbolt and passage knob. You have to have the key to lock the door. Since switching to the landlord lock system, I have only had 3 lock outs. 1 left keys at dealership with car, 1 the girlfriend got on the plane with the key (he wasn’t smart enough to have his key on him, nor was he smart enough to close the window in the dead of winter before leaving in a vacation) and one was a drunk that dropped it in a snowbank. --73.159.xxx.xx




Key vs Keypad (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 10:42 AM
Message:

My keypads are on an 8 unit and I replace the 9V once a year. --73.159.xxx.xx




Key vs Keypad (by mapleaf18 [NY]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 10:54 AM
Message:

Still Learning,

I've noticed the newer keypads use 4 AA batteries instead of 9 volts. What brands have you had success with?

Schlage has gone absolutely down hill and starts "spinning" in any type of inclement weather or 2 months in which ever comes first. --64.246.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by jonny [NY]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 11:16 AM
Message:

Yeah ... same here that they are both 4 AA batteries. One is a kwikset rekey (I asked for that one so "just in case" I have to provide the tenant with a key I can rekey without changing the lock as needed).

The other one is a Honeywell but I can't rekey it so that's why I didn't provide the key to the tenant. I don't want to have to change the locks when they leave because they are NOT that cheap so if I do go that route, I'll use the kwikset.

I do like the idea of putting them on the main door though and I may start doing that once I get a good vibe from them. This way, when a tenant leaves I know I can just basically delete their code and move on. The "good ones" I don't worry so much about but the ones that leave not on good terms, I rekey.

So that would be a plus. --69.201.xx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 11:43 AM
Message:

A commercial grade one or grade two deadbolt than a commercial passage lock where a key must be used to lock door than a key must used so lock out end. A common halfway then the suite doors must fire rated locks and fire rated door closures where the smoke will stay in rental unit when there is fire. Fro the entrance a Mircom controlled entrance along with storeroom lock and door closure which is more secure as this will keep bad people out. It also worth while to have security cameras as criminals do want show up. Grade three residential locks are not durable along with no parts available. The deadbolts can be taken to locksmith than have mastered keyed. No batteries along with increased security. Drug dealers will not want to come around. --207.236.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Still Learning [NH]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 12:11 PM
Message:

These were installed by my lock and security company. My user guide for programming says Schlage FE575/FE595. It’s possible they are commercial grade. --73.159.xxx.xx




Key vs Keypad (by Allym [NJ]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 12:24 PM
Message:

My parents tried keypads on one of the fourplexes and they found that tenants kept calling to change the code because one of them had given it to someone they no longer wanted coming in. That meant the other 3 residents had to be informed of the new code also for the front door. It was happening too much so they went back to keys. I removed all the knob locks and substituted the surface mounted deadbolt ones that have to be locked with the key on leaving. Also put them on front entrance. All the nonsense stopped. There was the occasional lockout but it was easily solved as I had duplicate keys for each door and could just hand it to the tenant who called me. --173.61.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Ken [NY]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 12:31 PM
Message:

The lower tech the more reliable so keys on my places.I put a lock with a master system,deadbolt with a closet knob,then they cant lock themselves out. If they loose a key i call the locksmith and have them make a key and tell them to charge the tenant for the key, i tell the tenant who the locksmith is and go pick it up themselves.You could put a lockbox at each unit if you wanted to also --74.77.xx.xx




Key vs Keypad (by Deanna [TX]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 2:22 PM
Message:

If you have a keyed common entrance, do you re-key it and issue new keys to the remaining residents at each turnover, to make sure that no one connected to an outgoing tenant has access? --137.118.xx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by BRAD 20,000 [IN]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 2:33 PM
Message:

Mapleleaf,

I want absolutely simple and no maintenance required. My job as a manager is to remove things that might be a problem later. Anything with a battery or code can lead to problems.

Ask Sean at LandlordLocks.com about a MAISON key system. Each apt has a separate key but each of their keys open the common doors such as entry or laundry room.

BRAD --73.103.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by MikeA [TX]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 5:40 PM
Message:

Lets play out the scenario's with keys VS keypad.

Key- tenant loses the key, they have to call to get in as both doors take a key.

Keypad - the keypad quits working, the tenant can go to the other door to get in. It's very unlikely they would forget their code after a few days of continual use (particularly if they pick their own code).

in the 2 door scenario like yours the keypad for sure will generate less calls.

Not all keypads are created equal, there are some real junk products out there. Spend a little more and get a Trilogy T2. I managed a lock program at a high security site for years, we used Trilogy T2's and had very little problem with them. They even use the common FSIC cores so the Landlord lock cores will work in them if you want to give out keys in addition to the code. You could even follow Brad's advice and get a Maison core where all of the apartment keys unlock only their apartment but any of them will unlock the outer doors. That way your tenants can use either the code or the lock.

To keep them from propping the door open they make a self contained box that senses if the door is open longer than a settable time (a few seconds up to a few minutes) and then sets off an beeping alarm and some add a strobe. It's very effective at keeping people from propping doors open. Do a google search for door ajar alarm. The ones that stick onto the door are really cheap but easily ripped down. They make ones that mount in the doorframe and are wired in, those are bulletproof. The only issue is when someone has a valid reason to have the door open for a long period like when moving in. You can simply take the battery out of the cheap ones and on the hard-wired ones some have a key you can use to turn it off for them. --209.205.xxx.xx




Key vs Keypad (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 6:21 PM
Message:

A commercial grade one or grade two deadbolt with a mastered keyed system along with commercial passage lock so a key must used to lock the door.. Schlage is the most common where parts are available. When a tenant moves out the deadbolt is changed then the deadbolt it taken to the locksmith which is going to cost less as no travel time. The deadbolt can be overhauled where worn parts are replaced. No batteries or high tech problems. I bought a Grade one deadbolt at the Habitat for Humanity restore for $7..50 Cdn. with no taxes along with two keys. The objective hear is spend more upfront then spend less over time. It is rare tenant will lose key where the lock outs are not very frequent. In the case of fire then tenant can back into rental unit. A storeroom lock and door closure on front main door where once door is closed then main front door is locked. --207.236.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Bonanza [NC]) Posted on: Feb 9, 2024 7:47 PM
Message:

I've been looking at the Schlage Encode and I am going to try them in some apts I am going to MTR. They seem to get fairly good reviews and are about $230

--65.188.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Feb 10, 2024 6:25 PM
Message:

Taking note of what MikeA mentioned. Trilogy T2 --73.190.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: Feb 11, 2024 5:32 PM
Message:

I use electronic locks for properties with multiple tenants. The only issues are a) batteries dying, b) tenants needing the code changed because they gave the code to someone that they no longer want to grant access to.

a) is easily solved by proactively replacing the batteries every six months.

b) highlights the advantage of an electronic lock. If they gave a copy of their key to someone, how do you restrict access at that point without changing out the lock and having to give everyone a new key? --104.230.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Feb 12, 2024 6:37 AM
Message:

If this is a nicer area, I could see spending a little bit of extra money. But I wouldn't be putting much time or effort into this project. A single lockbox outside can cure many future lockouts.

If someone is locked out, and they call you for the spare key let them know that they can keep the key from the lock box and charge them $15 for the landlord lock key the next billing cycle.

After they do that a couple of times, they will not want to accidently lock themselves out. I had a common key in my 41 unit place for the front access doors and a second set of keys for each of the apartments/businesses. Where in theory it is nice that no one SHOULD have access inside your building, the actual practice - the fireman had keys , the EMTs had a key, the police had keys as did the postman......but I wasn't afraid of these folks having access to the building.

Will a access pad make things better than a lockbox, in a class C or B nope. But if this is a complete cut job in a raising area where you are targeting doctors, Nurse practiciners, engineers and attorneys - maybe that upgrade should be installed. I typically don't target these folks as they tend to be owners where I am at, but I am in more rural area. --24.101.xxx.xxx




Key vs Keypad (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Feb 12, 2024 6:41 AM
Message:

Mike Butler has an awesome system for billing and collecting fees like lost key fee.

Just remember to restock that lockbox and change the code next time your handyman is over there again. With this being a 4 plex, there should be routine trips there. --24.101.xxx.xxx





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