Imagine this - you are at dinner miles away and you get a desperate call from the couple who rented your vacation property this weekend. They were out taking a walk and forgot the keys, now they are locked out! Don't worry though, you're one of the better property owners and you had a plan to get them back in the house again and ensure that they continue to have an incredible vacation. Having a plan is not only important for the convenience and comfort of your guests, but it also helps maintain a positive reputation for your rental property. Lockouts can occur for a variety of reasons, such as guests misplacing keys, accidentally locking them inside, or simply forgetting them while going out.
Recalling past experiences, lockouts can be frustrating and costly for both the tenant and owner. Guests may need to wait for an extended period, disrupting their vacation plans, and may even result in negative reviews of the rental property. Meanwhile, as a property owner, lockouts can mean lost revenue, additional expenses on locksmith services, and can affect future bookings.
To successfully prevent guest lockouts, vacation rental owners can take the following steps:
- Install a keyless entry system Investing in keyless entry systems is an effective way to ensure that guests never get locked out of the property. These systems make use of a digital code or card, which guests can use to enter the property. This option eliminates the need for physical keys and the potential for them to get lost or misplaced.
- Secure key storage location If you do decide to use physical keys for your property, make sure to keep them in a secure and well-hidden location. This could be a lockbox, a secure closet, or any other spot that is not easily accessible to guests but can easily be accessed by the owner or property manager.
- Provide backup keys It's always a good idea to have a backup set of keys on hand, just in case the original ones somehow get lost or misplaced. Give the backup key to your guests upon arrival and make sure they are aware of its location. You might even invest in a wall mounted key safe to securely store the key in case of emergency.
- Have access to an emergency locksmith in case your guests get locked out and can’t find the backup key, make sure to have an emergency locksmith on call that you can trust to get the guests back inside the property.
- Reliable local contact Make sure that your guests have contact information for a local representative or contact they can reach out to if they get locked out and can’t get hold of the property owner. Ensure that the local contact has a spare key on their person to assist during emergencies.
Remember to communicate with your guests regarding your property's lockout policies and provide them with the necessary information and resources to avoid potential inconveniences. Following these preventative measures, you can ensure that your guests have a comfortable and hassle-free vacation while protecting your rental property's reputation.
