Getting keys to guests, cleaners, or maintenance staff can be a logistical challenge and an unnecessary hassle. As a vacation rental owner, you can't always be sure how many copies of keys have been duplicated or lost. Guests want as few things to worry about as possible when on vacation, and gaining access into your rental property should not be one of them. Fortunately, there are many ways to eliminate the hassle of keys.
One of the most popular alternatives to leaving a key under the doormat or a 'hidden' under a flower pot is a lockable key safe. These are typically mounted on an exterior wall near to the door, and authorized visitors use a unique push-button combination to access the key 24/7. Here are some tips for using key safes:
- Locate your key safe discreetly, but somewhere guests can easily find it.
- Don't leave the key in the key safe for more than 24 hours before a guest arrives or departs.
- Encourage your guests not to leave keys in the key safe during their stay.
- Change the code between lets, set it to the last 4 digits of the guests' mobile or their year of birth so they don't forget it!
→View More About Populife Smart Keybox
An electronic alternative to store your keys is the Populife smart lockbox. Guests unlock the Keybox by entering a unique PIN code which you create via the Populife app and send it to the guest. The PIN code expires after a set duration, so you won't have to worry about unauthorized access to your vacation property in the future. Bluetooth is an alternative way to open the smart lockbox – simply use your smartphone within range to unlock it. Populife smart lockbox can be secured over a doorknob or mounted on a wall.
Populife smart lockbox comes in different shapes and styles, but what they all have in common is the ability to remotely manage who is authorized to open the door and for how long. You can limit your guests' ability to unlock the door to the duration of their stay and give your cleaners or handymen separate codes too. Populife smart lockbox will also send you a notification when the door is locked or unlocked, allowing you to keep tabs on when guests check in and monitor who is in your vacation rental at all times. This is useful if you use a professional cleaning service that charges you by the hour. Although smart lockboxes need a Wi-Fi signal to enable you to manage the device remotely, they continue to function without a Wi-Fi connection. Guests can unlock the door with a unique digital key code or by using their smartphone's Bluetooth.
Conclusion
There are a variety of options available to holiday rental property owners who want to eliminate the hassle of keys. Lockable key safes and electronic code locks are two popular options, but the Populife smart keybox offers a more modern and convenient solution. With the ability to remotely manage access for guests, cleaners, and maintenance staff, as well as receiving notifications when the door is locked or unlocked, the Populife smart keybox offers added security and peace of mind. However, it is important to remember to inform your insurance provider of any modifications to your property and to always check the small print of your policy.