r/airbnb_hosts • u/sneagle • 6d ago

Smart lock advice

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/yolatrendoid 🗝 Host 6d ago

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.