Managing rental properties comes with unique security and operational challenges. Many properties still rely on traditional hard keys, leaving residents, guests, and property managers exposed to risk. Lost keys, unauthorized copies, and limited oversight over who has access create inefficiencies that cost time and money. Understanding the smart locks vs hard keys for rental properties debate is an important first step in evaluating how modern access solutions can improve both security and operational efficiency.
If making the switch to smart locks for rental properties isn’t in the budget just yet, that’s okay, but it’s definitely worth planning for and presenting to ownership. Forward-thinking property management security strategies often start with understanding how digital access can transform daily operations. Smart locks, especially when integrated with access control systems like BeHome247, offer a modern, scalable solution that enhances resident safety, simplifies workflows, and improves overall efficiency when the time is right.
The Hidden Risks of Hard Keys in Rental Properties
- Lost Keys Compromise Security
When a resident or guest misplaces a key, the property’s security is compromised until locks are replaced. This process costs time, money, and peace of mind for both resident and guest and management. - Unauthorized Duplicates Are Easy to Make
Traditional keys can be duplicated without permission, leaving property managers with no way to know who truly has access. This lack of control creates unnecessary risk for everyone involved - No Real-Time Control or Audit Trail
Hard keys provide no visibility into who’s entering a unit or when. Coordinating access for multiple residents, maintenance teams, or cleaning crews becomes complex and inefficient. - Operational Inefficiency
Tracking, replacing, and managing physical keys takes up valuable staff time that could be spent on higher-priority property operations. For residents and guests, lost or shared keys add inconvenience and delays.
How Smart Locks Transform Property Management
Smart Locks
Smart locks provide a secure, convenient, and efficient alternative to traditional keys, delivering benefits for both renters and property teams. If you’re shopping around for smart locks, you’ll want to take a few areas into consideration: Connectivity, climate, and use case. Check out this Smart Lock Solutions Guide
Keyless Entry for Residents and Guests
Residents and guests can unlock doors using a smartphone, PIN code, or key fob, and eliminate the risk of misplaced or duplicated keys to offer a modern, frictionless living experience.
Controlled Access and Audit Trails
Property managers can issue and revoke access instantly, grant temporary permissions to maintenance, cleaning staff, or emergency responders instantly and review entry logs in real time for full accountability.
Self-Guided Touring and Seamless Leasing
Smart locks also open the door, literally, to self-guided touring, giving prospects the flexibility to view available units on their own schedule without the need for on-site staff. Property teams can securely issue temporary tour codes, verify identity, and track unit entry in real time with centralized access control software like BeHome247. This not only improves the leasing experience but also saves staff hours previously spent coordinating showings.
Integration with Access Control Systems
When paired with integrated access control systems like BeHome247, smart locks become part of a centralized platform that unifies property operations. Managers can automate access schedules, monitor staff entry, and manage all doors across multiple properties—all from one dashboard. This integration reduces inefficiencies, improves staff productivity, and enhances resident trust.
Time and Cost Savings
With fewer lockouts, no rekeying costs, and reduced administrative time spent managing keys, both tenants and property managers benefit from lower costs and smoother day-to-day operations.
💡 Note: If your properties rely on traditional hard keys or have limited abilities for connectivity, there are also smart lockbox solutions like igloo’s Keybox3 to consider to bridge the technology gap into the access control world. Every property and use case is different, but for this article, we’re focused on the pros and cons of smart locks vs hard keys to help you understand the long-term benefits of upgrading your access strategy.
Why Property Managers Should Upgrade to Smart Locks
For property managers, smart locks aren’t just a tech upgrade. They’re a strategic improvement to both security and operations.
- Enhance property management security by eliminating risks tied to lost keys and unauthorized duplicates.
- Simplify access control and reduce administrative workload.
- Deliver a better, more modern experience for residents.
- Real-time access management, reporting, and scalable operations through integrated platforms like BeHome247
The Bottom Line: Not every property manager can make the switch to smart locks right away, and that’s okay. But knowing the advantages of smart locks, access control and making a strategic plan to move into smart locks is in your control right now. Don’t get left behind! An investment in smart lock technology can pay off in big ways: stronger security, smoother operations, and happier residents and guests. It’s an upgrade that pays for itself in both time and peace of mind.
To learn how BeHome247 can bring your team true access control, request a demo today!
