Vacation Rental Security Tips For Owners and Guests

With the boom in the home rental market, there are more people opening up their homes to guests as a source of additional, or even full-time, income. As a property owner, how can you securely and confidently provide access to your rental location while ensuring convenience and peace of mind for your guests? Here are a few things to consider.

BEST PRACTICES FOR GUEST ACCESS

In the home rental industry, guest safety is paramount. That's why it's helpful to follow industry best practices when it comes to providing access to your property. Consider these tips to ensure a safe and secure transaction:

• If you are using traditional keys, hand them off yourself or through a trusted friend.
• Leave keys or codes with your staff if you have a secure front desk.
• If you are using a lock box, make sure to give unique key codes to each guest or maintenance personnel, changing the code after each visit.
• Never leave keys in a public place or anywhere you or your staff are not present.
• If you have other areas on your property that you need to control access – pool gates for guests or maintenance crews; storage sheds for guest bikes, beach equipment or maintenance tools; closets with supplies for cleaning crews – be sure to choose a method of access appropriate for your location and specific needs.

OPTIONS FOR SECURED PROPERTY ACCESS  

Personal Key Delivery - If you are onsite, close by, or have a secure front desk, it’s easy enough to personally hand off a set of keys to your guests upon arrival. This can also be a nice opportunity to meet your guests and share any relevant information about your rental property with them. 

Keys Secured In A Lock Box - For added flexibility, lock boxes are a great option to conveniently and securely store guest keys near the door. This allows tenants the freedom to arrive at their convenience without either of you having to lock down your schedules for a key exchange. It’s easy for guests and keeps you from having to be on site for every arrival. Lock boxes are also perfect for other secured areas on your property, including pool gates, storage sheds, and closets. There are generally two types of lock boxes to choose from:

Traditional Lock Box - If you’re not looking for any bells and whistles, a traditional lock box is the way to go. They generally open using numbers dials and allow you to personalize the code. Some combinations are easier than others to customize depending on the model, be sure to look for ones that are easy to operate. A lock box that can stand up to extreme weather conditions is also a good idea depending on your location. Lock boxes come in a variety of options, including wall mount, portable, and cable lock, so you can choose the one that best suits your needs.

Bluetooth® Lock Box - A Bluetooth-enabled lock box offers a highly flexible solution that allows you to bypass physical keys entirely. The Bluetooth® technology allows you to, simultaneously, choose unique codes to share with each guest, cleaning crew, or maintenance workers - and change codes easily as needed. You can manage who comes and goes at all times while monitoring access history right from your phone. Since Bluetooth lock boxes come with a variety of features, be sure to do your research and find the one that works best for your location and application needs.

VACATION RENTAL TIPS FOR GUESTS

There are lots of options when you are choosing a vacation rental, be sure to do your research and choose one that best meets the needs of your family and friends. Look for properties that have your safety in mind, starting with secure and convenient access. If the property description doesn't mention their method of access, try looking at pictures for signs of keyless entry, lock boxes, etc. for clues. You can also just ask the host. If you tend to be a nervous traveler, you can always bring security with you. A folding security bar can provide a little extra security and a whole lot of peace of mind when you need it most.

Whether you are a host opening your home to strangers or a guest visiting a new location, security is something that should always be top of mind. Ensuring secured access is essential for the safety of both guests and hosts, and having a well thought out access plan in place can provide peace of mind for everyone. Take a look at our full line of standard and Bluetooth® lock boxes to get started.