The Locksmith Journal Sep/Oct 2020 - Issue 70 | Page 32

NATIONAL HOME SECURITY MONTH

Home-rental landlords embrace contact-free access to help the fight against COVID-19

» WHEN IT COMES TO THE FIGHT against COVID-19 , we ’ re all in this together . To limit the spread of the virus , we all need to do what we can to minimise social contact . For home-rental landlords this means reducing physical interaction with tenants – as well as helping tenants reduce interaction with tradespeople and delivery drivers . For owners of short-term holiday lets , the need to reduce contact with guests is even more urgent , as to stay open they are required to conform with the government ’ s new hospitality guidelines .
Open for business
Providing contactless access is an immediate concern for short-term property lets . Government guidelines for holiday rentals stipulate that owners must minimise contact with guests – and providing keyless access to properties is a good place to start . Mechanical or electronic keyless locks would , of course , remove the need to hand over keys , but a smart access solution brings further benefits , too .
When Lifestyle Serviced Apartments ( LSA ), wanted to provide remote access to its serviced apartments in Southendon-Sea , it fitted Codelocks Smart Locks on each of the apartment doors . When a customer makes a booking , they are remotely issued a time sensitive code for the relevant apartment . The code can be set for any desired period of time and is disposable , expiring once the customer checks out of the property . As well as removing the need to physically meet and greet guests , this technology also reduces the time spent on the check in procedure , allowing staff to focus on other tasks – including more regular cleaning .
Smart access for home rentals One highly effective way that landlords can cut down on physically interacting with tenants is to provide contact-free access . By installing digital locks , landlords can avoid the exchange of keys . Instead , they can simply share a code by text or email . By going a step further and installing smart locks , socially conscious property owners can empower tenants to lessen their own contact with others as well .
Combining smart technology with traditional keypad and card access , Codelocks Smart Locks allow homeowners , tenants and landlords to generate timesensitive and temporary codes that expire after a set duration . These codes can be sent by text or email , remotely providing cleaners , builders and delivery drivers with temporary access to the property . With complete control and flexibility , homeowners , tenants , estate agents and landlords don ’ t need to worry about being available and in the property in order for cleaning , deliveries or maintenance to take place – offering complete convenience for all parties .
A smart lock can also offer comfort to older tenants by adding an extra layer of reassurance . In the event of an emergency , it can provide the emergency services with immediate access , unlike the traditional lock and key .
Ensuring safer deliveries for all
As social distancing continues , so does online shopping and home deliveries . Fitting properties with secure , outdoor storage for packages is another effective way of reducing physical contact and making properties more attractive to prospective customers .
CITIBIN originally designed its PARCELBIN boxes to provide safe places for couriers to leave domestic deliveries and protect homeowners from ‘ porch pirates ’. Since lockdown , the PARCELBIN has found a new use , enabling couriers to leave deliveries without needing to interact with the recipient . For security , the CITIBIN is fitted with a KL1200 KitLock by Codelocks – a digital lock that is specially designed for lockers and cabinets . The owner simply programs a 4-digit code into the lock and the PARCELBIN will then remain locked until that specific code is entered – either by the user or by a delivery person .
Out-smarting COVID-19 and delivering a better service to tenants
If we ’ re going to succeed in the fight against Coronavirus , we ’ ll all need to play our part . For owners of holiday rentals , providing contactless access can help to meet government guidelines – but for all landlords , providing keyless access to rental properties is a smart move . As well as helping to minimise unnecessary physical contact between all parties , contactless access solutions reduce time spent on meeting and greeting guests and make properties more attractive to prospective tenants .
www . codelocks . co . uk
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SEP / OCT 2020
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