 |
Three Easy Ways To Get Keys To Your Vacation Renters
How do you get keys to guests staying in your vacation rental property?
| You have many options when it comes to keys. You can use the old-fashioned method of mailing the keys to your renters. Many owners have been doing this for twenty or thirty-plus years. It's effective, but not necessarily simple. |
|
Mail Keys:
Mailing keys leaves a lot of room for error. The problem is you have to make numerous sets of keys followed by sending them out in a timely manner in order for renters to receive the keys before they leave home. Finally, you have to be sure that your renters mail the keys back to you.
|
 |
| Forget any one of these steps, and you will have a potentially serious problem on your hands. What if the renters forget to bring the keys with them when they leave their home? What if they don't send them back? What if they lose them while they are there? |
|
|
Lock Boxes:
The best way to alleviate all this trouble is to drop the idea of mailing keys and go with your second option: buy a simple combination key box. A key box attaches to your doorknob or somewhere on your property. The most common ones are made by GE, are very inexpensive ($25-$30), and can be found at most hardware stores, locksmiths or on the Internet .
|
| A key box is not a complex piece of equipment. You easily set your own code, hang it on your doorknob, and put the keys into it. You then give the renter the combination when you send them the driving directions (they usually don't forget the directions when they leave home, and even if they do you could always give them the code over the phone). The downside of these types of lock boxes is you cannot easily change the code after each renter. |
| Keyless Entry:
Your third option is to buy some sort of keyless entry door lock. These are similar to what you see in most banks and offices. The kind that has push buttons right on the locks. These locks are great but they are a bit more expensive, ranging from $100-150. They can also be found online or through most locksmiths and hardware stores.
|
 |
| You might also want to consider the newest type of keyless lock, the kind that offers remote access. Again, these are pretty pricey but they do offer many conveniences such as the ability to store, change and create combinations right from your home computer or even via cell phone. The downside (besides price) is that they are electronic and most work on batteries. Anything electronic can malfunction and the batteries, although they usually last 3 years, can go dead. These types of locks also have a monthly service fee associated with them. For many owners, this may be the only option (aside from mailing keys), since many condominium complexes prohibit lock boxes. |
|
.gif)
How do you get keys to your vacation rental guests?
"A stamped 'Do Not Duplicate' door key is in a lock box, with a code provided to each guest prior to check in. Knowing the key can not be duplicated gives the owner and guests peace of mind. An additional 'Do Not Duplicate' key is left on the kitchen counter with the check-in and check-out instructions to guests, as well as the garage door remote. Note: A certified / licensed locksmith can make the 'Do Not Duplicate' keys at a slightly higher cost (not just any hardware or home improvement store has this ability)." -Cheryl, Avondale, AZ (HomeAway #185063, VRBO #176121, VacationRentals.com #51801)
"I use a local overnight service provider to send the keys -- it's much less expensive than UPS or Fedex. I learned the hard way how important tracking a package can be. It cost a bit more than regular mail, but gives me piece of mind. I have the renter mail the keys back in a preaddressed envelope." -Adrienne, Palm Desert, CA. (HomeAway #166708, VRBO #141561)
"We use a lock box too, but usually have our caretaker greet our guests, bring in their bags, etc. If you have a caretaker and he/she lives nearby, it facilitates renters getting in and provides a nice personal touch as well." -Henry, Telchac Puerto, Mexico (VRBO #158201, VacationRentals.com #31870)
"We use a keyless system. We used to mail keys out and we weighed on the cost for each guest vs. the total cost for the keyless system and found that overall it was cheaper to use the keyless system plus it gave us a comfort level that no keys were out there floating around. The only codes in the system is the one to our cleaning crew/local rep. and one for each guest. We send each guest their own private access code and once they depart, within 2 hours, we have a designated rep. visit the home, do a walk thru for damages and the code is immediately taken out of the system. This gives us a more control of who comes in and out of the home." -Maria, Las Vegas, NV, Utah, and California (HomeAway)
|
|
|
© Copyright Christine Karpinski, 2006. U.090420.AF
|
|