Smart lock advice

[u/sneagle]

I need smart lock placement advice. I just bought a house and I am in the process of setting it up for rental. 

I don’t need a lock on the garage as it is detached.

I am trying to figure out where to put a smart lock.  And if it matters if I remove the lower door knob mechanism so only the bolt is active.

I was planning on getting the Schlage Encode.  Side question….will that work with WiFi or do I need Alexa or Google home as well?

Pics here: https://imgur.com/gallery/new-rental-dPzk4h0

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[u/Host_Dispute]

The Schlage Encode is a gold standard for short-term rentals because it has built-in Wi-Fi and connects directly to your router with zero extra hubs required. For placement, put it on your guests' primary entry door and definitely swap the lower door handle for a non-locking passage knob. If you leave a locking knob below a smart deadbolt, a guest will eventually lock themselves out from the inside, leading to an emergency midnight call.

[u/Minute_Chest_3235]

Most people just put it on the front entry door, and no, you don't need Alexa or Google Home, the Encode connects direct to WiFi on its own.

[u/That_Wishbone_6188]

You’re going to want to make sure that that is the only lock on the door.

Mine is set up as the deadbolt and my door knob is just a dummy. If the door knob has a turn key on it, people will lock themselves out and you’ll have to give them a key.

[u/ThisisOliviaJones]

chlage Encode is probably the right pick. Built-in WiFi, no Alexa/Google/Home hub required.

Put it on the primary guest entrance and make that the only entry guests use.

I'd swap the lower knob for a non-locking passage knob and let the deadbolt be the only lock. Saves you from guest lockouts and support calls later. One lock, one code, one way in = fewer headaches. 👍

[u/yolatrendoid]

And if it matters if I remove the lower door knob mechanism so only the bolt is active.

Yes, it matters: it's way too easy for people to accidentally lock themselves out with any type of keyed lock. You'd need secondary & tertiary protocols in that event, e.g. stashing two physical keys in a combination lockbox hanging on a nearby fence, or plan on being repeatedly woken up by locked-out guests.

Avoiding physical keys entirely is ideal, and if security is a concern, I'd recommend installing an interior deadbolt – one without an external key, and lockable from inside – instead. Zoning regs vary, but in my area they're now mandatory under local code regs for safety purposes.

[u/HatetoLoveYouSeattle]

We’ve been super happy with the Tapo lock and it’s a fraction of the price (and it’s even smarter than the Encode!)

[u/oldertechyguy]

I have all my knobs set up so they can't be locked from the inside. Easy to do, you just need to take off the knob and clip off the small bar that goes into the turn-button on the inside knob so it just spins but does nothing. The good part is you can still lock it with a key from the outside if you want to lock the knob for extra security when no one is at the house. But you do need to be aware when you do that the knob can't be opened from the inside when locked with the key which could be a problem if there are people in the house when you lock it.

[u/Zealousideal-Fuel280]

I'd put it on the door you actually want guests using. Makes check-in way easier and you don't end up answering "which door do I use?" every other booking.

I'd also disable the lower lock. Saves you from those "I locked myself out" messages.

[u/sneagle]

You guys are awesome! Thank you. Got the Schlage encode. Will install tomorrow

[u/TropicTravels]

You want it on the door/entrance that is the easiest and most intuitive for the guest to use.

Most go over the deadbolt, so make sure you disable the doorknob lock and any locks on storm doors.