Self-guided tours:
How PIN pads unlock remote management for holiday rentals
The rental market moves fast, and convenience and security are all-important. While smart locks provide the first step in creating a modern experience, adding a PIN pad takes things to the next level.
That’s why we’re seeing a major uptick in single-family rental (SFR) and build-to-rent (BTR) schemes specifying our PIN pad. In this post, we’ll examine how a PIN pad can enhance the user experience, boost security, and provide an audit trail.
Solving an access problem
Try before you buy is a perfectly reasonable concept, but there’s no doubt that for rental managers, giving potential tenants access to a property is a pain point.
Online pictures and even video tours are great up to a point, but many will prefer to see a property for themselves before committing, especially for long-term rentals.
That’s why an increasing number of our customers in the BTR and SFR markets are specifying our PIN pad alongside our locksets, simplifying and smoothing the property management process.
No app required
A PIN pad can be used without any need to download an app. The owner simply adds the potential customer to their property management system (PMS), and a code is automatically sent to them, so they can then use it to access the property.
This means there’s no need to spend time coordinating schedules and worrying about no-shows wasting your valuable time. Crucially, it frees up someone’s time to do other things, such as generating new business that could recoup the investment in the PIN pad in one hit.
It’s also great news for the tenant, who can turn up to view when they want (within the time frame that you allow) and see the property in their own time, without the pressure of a salesperson.
More revenue opportunities
With a PIN pad in place, it makes it easier to create more opportunities to make use of your property. For example, in the summer, students will return home, leaving your PBSA unoccupied. You can offer this up for rent during that period, and having the PIN pad makes it far easier to manage the viewings, without the clients having to download an app.
Find out more about the NSP Security PIN Pad
Great for families
The PIN pad is perfect for parents in an SFR property. The parents can set up a code for the kids, so they don’t have to worry about keys or keycards getting lost, or they can set it up for guests to use on a short-term basis. They can also set up codes for cleaners and contractors, who can also arrive within a set time frame, making maintaining the property stress-free.
You can even combine the PIN pad with an internal camera pointing just at the door, so you can visually check the person with the code is who it should be, while maintaining resident privacy.
Boost security
Traditional contactless access is provided by placing a key in a lockbox near the door. However, this comes with risks. It still involves a physical key, which could be lost, stolen or copied. You are also relying on the visitors remembering to replace the key and rotate the lockbox numbers, so opportunistic criminals can’t take advantage.
The PIN can be set up to only work within a set time and to automatically stop working after a set period. This means you can control access, and you don’t have to worry about the PIN being used by unauthorised third parties.
It also means that when a long-term tenancy comes to an end, you don’t have to change the locks — you just change the code.
Keep track
By setting up an individual PIN for each user, you can keep a close eye on who has accessed the property and when. If you spot unusual access patterns that hint at sub-letting, you can more easily determine who is responsible for sharing their code. If you suspect theft, you can tie their timing of their removal to a PIN code, helping with enquiries, while repeated failed access attempts can provide an indicator that your property is being targeted, so you can look to bolster weak points such as windows.
Easy installation
Our PIN pad is robust, so it can last in all weathers, and can be battery or mains powered, making it a great option for either new builds or as a retrofit. This will provide a slick, modern experience that will be appreciated by the tech-savvy crowd and boost your ratings and reputation.
A PIN pad then provides you with more flexibility, security and peace of mind – no wonder we’re seeing an increased uptake!
Feel free to get in touch now — we’d love to discuss how our PIN Pad can solve your property access woes.
Further reading
How we lessen the pain of
Gateway 2 for M&E contractors
