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Smart locks with Wi-Fi offer a convenient and secure way to control access to your home. Here’s a brief overview of how they work:
The smart lock connects to your home’s Wi-Fi network. This allows it to communicate with your smartphone, tablet, or other devices. It does NOT need a wifi connection to work - just to program remotely, or use features such as remote open and close (useful to let a repair person gain entry, etc).
You can control the lock using a dedicated smartphone app or on your computer. The app lets you lock and unlock the door remotely, grant temporary access codes to guests, and receive notifications when someone enters or exits.
Your smart lock can integrate seamlessly with airbnb - it will set up a code that is within your check-in and checkout times, deleting it when the booking date is complete. It is free and part of your airbnb app.
Many smart locks can integrate with other smart home devices, such as security systems, smart speakers, and video doorbells. This creates a seamless smart home experience. Wi-Fi smart locks often come with additional security features, such as encryption and two-factor authentication, to ensure that only authorized users can access your home.
Common misconceptions about Smart Locks:
“They only work with the wifi connected”: The lock is independent from wifi except when you want to change settings.
“They are hard to operate”: Guest types the code into the lock via the keypad. Door unlocks.
“I’m afraid that it will not work and so I also want it to be operated with a key”: Most Smart Locks come with a key.
Smart locks are great, they still need a qualified work to be mounted on the property door… but what to do if the property is inside a closed residential complex with a locked gate for cars, another locked gate for pedestrians and in a building with an locked main entrance? I spent a lot of time researching, realized that I have to gain approvals from dozens of people, then I come back to the traditional lockbox
Yes, I know the number pad is part of the lock. But the number pad is just attached to the lock and isn’t secured otherwise to the door? Sorry, I just can’t picture it.
Yes, I know what they look like, I just don’t understand how the whole thing can be attached to the door simply by “dropping” the new lock cylinder into the old cylinder hole. The back section of the number plate must have screws into the door face, no?
Not the model lock I have but on this you can also see that no screws are on either side, visible. Why is this a discussion?
Bottom line is that smart locks work, they have keyholes as well for those luddites who prefer using a key, they do not require any online ability to be used 24/7, they do not require things like drilling out holes or reworking door jambs.
Being able to do things like define usage times (length of stay etc); allow access for specific people like tradespeople, cleaners, etc; maintain a record of usage by day, time, and user; interface with airbnb without need to manually set up guest access.
These are significant advantages, and hosts can leverage these pluses for the guest as well - guests do not have to worry that a lost key from 2021 will be used to enter their space, since access is controlled by codes, for example. Or the current guest having to carry around a key and returning it.
My airbnb has gotten great reviews mentioning the ease of the Smart lock entry.
Whether the screws are visible or not isn’t the question. The lock plate has to be attached to the door face by more than the cylinder.
It’s a discussion because you claimed it was just a matter of “dropping” the new cylinder in, when another poster said installing a smart lock would require installation and attaching the lock to the door.
All locks have internal screws; cylinder locks have the same thing internally. Not trying to parse your words but you claimed that locks with keypads needed the keypad to be screwed into the door to secure the key pad. This is not accurate.
I think what I am trying to explain is that putting in a smart lock takes the same skill set and same energy and same vision as putting in the old fashioned kind.
I’ve been using August Wi-Fi smart locks (for about 3 years now on one of my properties) without issue. I installed them myself, the only tool you really need is a screwdriver in most cases.
Guests have had no issues whatsoever and funnily enough I have had more issues with lockboxes!
I keep a lockbox on our properties as a backup to get the best of both worlds.
The only thing that is irritating is having to swap out batteries every now and then. However, this is extremely simple and our housekeeping team do it when battery levels are low.
