In the middle of a turnover and the new tenant has asked if they can install keyless entry locks on the front door. I have never used these before on rentals. Does anybody have any feedback on the pros and cons please? Thank you.

I have digital deadbolts on a few of mine, but I keep control of them. It's useful for things like an audit trail if you're dealing with a class of tenant who isn't always reliable (ie, you can see when they last accessed the property), or programming a temporary code for an HVAC guy/plumber/handyman to go do a repair. If they asked me, I could also program a temporary guest code (ie, a house-sitter while they're on vacation).

I have one office building that uses a U-tec deadbolt and it's reliable. I had tried buying a refurbished U-tec deadbolt, but the seller sent me a Sifely product instead, so I have a bunch of Sifely's now.

The negative is that you have to keep an eye on the battery level. It might last for two or three years, but if your tenant is in place for 8 or 10 years, you need to be mindful. Mine will often give some kind of an alert, but not always.

If you're in an area of the world where your houses are built on shifty ground (like all of Texas), there's a chance that your digital lock might go out of alignment once or twice a year depending on rain, dryness, season, whatever makes your house shift. Some of mine have needed zero adjustment, and others have needed an adjustment every five or six months. When you've paired a digital deadbolt with a passage knob, that means that the tenant can't always close their door securely if they don't alert you in time.

I completely agree with keeping locks under your control.

With that said, I do have keypad locks on my MTR's & like them - so do the residents.

I have Quickset brand deadbolts & pair them with passage knobs.

The batteries last a long time (years) and there is a chirp long before they die.

They are not smart enough to connect by internet, but can be programmed with multiple codes & one-time use, too.

I ask the resident to provide me with a 4-6 digit code to use that they are SURE to remember & I use that. Super easy to remove their code when a resident leaves.

I have one on each entry door & even recently put one on my owner's supply closet, after I wanted to get something from it and hadn't brought the key.

Just in case of the very unlikely possibility that the batteries do die, or some other thing disables the electronic keypad, they can be operated with a key.

I've installed a few of these.

Pros: The owner can give codes to anyone to get in...and change the code easily. Most of them have a key also that can be used.

Cons: The owner can change the code and deny access to even the landlord...but as long as you have another door to get in with a key...that's not an issue. Another con is that they are notorious for going through batteries in cold weather. Third con is that they latch mechanism must be lined up nearly perfectly for them to work right. If the tenant has it installed and it "sticks", they might blame it on your door that is "out of alignment" and complain to you.

Keyless locks are a super power!

My management company logo is a keyless entry keypad with the pad outline shaped like a house instead of square. I branded my company with keyless lock convenience.

Been using them over 12 years. Life changing! Tenants love them. I love them more.

First, don't let the tenant buy and install. You lose control.

Buy the lock, change the master programming code. Then only you add and delete codes. Takes 5 seconds to change a code. I program a common management code to all of my 40 units. Same code for all. Now I don't need to track keys.

My trusted maintenance pros get my management code for access. Now I don't need to meet maintenance pros at the door for access.

Instead of re-keying or replacing a lock when the significant others break up, I can change the code in 5 seconds. Now I don't need to keep an inventory of locks on hand.

Keep a battery tester. I do maintenance tune ups every 6 months. Test keyless batteries. Replace even if a smidge low. Leave behind the batteries that are still decent as a gift. Residents think you're an angel! Cheap renewal credits.

A resident who moved out 4 years prior had a package delivered to his old address. Current tenant let me know. I contacted prior resident who said he bought a house in town. Take package to his front door - what do I see? The exact same keyless lock. When I talked to him he said he'll never live without one now.

I totally get it. My own house has the same keyless entry.

Hi April

Deanna, that sounds like a good system. I sometimes use my ring cameras to track when contractors are in and out to see how much time they were actually at the property to work.

I can’t imagine many landlords even with only 3-4 houses wanting a separate wi-fi network for each property so they can track keyless codes.

The monthly cost for each separate wi-fi accounts at each property would add up real quick. The cost wouldn’t justify the value of tracking who’s coming and going.

I just don’t see any reason why a landlord would have a wi-fi network at a rental. Unless the landlord is providing internet for the resident.

Yes, I’ve had maint techs end poorly. Changed all the codes in 15 minutes at each door. Not a big deal.

Thanks April

I like the idea for common areas

I am unlikely to switch the doors anytime soon and even though I have a lot of doors I don’t have a lot of turnover.