Running a vacation rental or Airbnb in Florida is a great business. You have the beach, the sun, and plenty of visitors looking for a place to relax. But managing a rental comes with a big headache: the keys.
If you are still meeting guests to hand over physical keys, or leaving them under a mat, you are taking a big risk. Keys get lost. Guests accidentally take them home. Worst of all, keys can be copied at any hardware store in minutes. You have no way of knowing if a previous guest still has access to your property.
The Smart Lock Revolution
The best change any vacation rental host can make is switching to a keyless smart lock. Instead of a metal key, your guests get a 4-digit code. This code works for their specific stay, and then it expires.
This solves three problems at once:
- Convenience: Guests can check in late at night without you waiting up for them.
- Security: There are no physical keys to lose or copy.
- Control: You know exactly when guests arrive and leave.
Choosing the Right Lock for the Coast
Not all smart locks are built for the Florida coast. The salt air in places like Flagler Beach or Palm Coast eats electronics for lunch. If you buy a cheap lock from an online retailer, the humidity might destroy the keypad in six months.
You need hardware that is “weather-rated.” This means it has special seals to keep moisture out and finishes that won’t rust. It is also smart to choose a lock that has a physical key override, just in case the battery dies while you are out of town.
The “Lockout” Nightmare
Every host dreads the phone call at 11:00 PM: “We can’t get in.” Maybe the guest forgot the code, or maybe the door jammed. If you live an hour away, this is a major problem.
Having a relationship with a local professional is crucial. A reliable locksmith flagler beach service acts as your backup plan. They can help you maintain your locks so they don’t jam, and they can respond quickly if a guest is truly stuck. It keeps your reviews high and your stress level low.
Securing the “Owner’s Closet”
Most rentals have one closet or room locked off for supplies extra sheets, cleaning products, or personal items. A standard interior door knob lock is very easy to pick or force open.
If you store valuable items in your owner’s closet, upgrade to a deadbolt. It sends a clear message to guests that this area is off-limits. For even better security, use a keypad lock on this door too, so your cleaning crew can get in without needing a ring of keys.
Sliding Doors and Windows
Vacationers love fresh air, so they often leave windows and sliding doors open. Unfortunately, they sometimes forget to lock them when they head to the beach. Installing secondary locks like a simple pin lock or a Charley bar on sliding doors adds an extra layer of safety. It makes it much harder for an intruder to lift the door out of its track, a common break-in method in coastal homes.
Lockey Locksmith LLC: Your Vacation Rental Partner
Your rental property is an investment and protecting it should be easy. Lockey Locksmith LLC helps hosts in Flagler and Volusia counties streamline their security. We install durable smart locks that withstand the salt air, rekey existing locks to ensure guest safety, and provide emergency support when you need it most. Let us handle the hardware so you can focus on getting those 5-star reviews.
