Smart Locks and Other Entry Controls on the Rise in Multifamily

Even before COVID-19 slammed the doors on unrestricted, unmasked entry to apartment complexes, many communities were already looking at smart locks and other alternatives to inconvenient, time-consuming, costly and error-prone key-based access. Making, distributing and keeping track of keys and fobs has long been one of the hardships of being a property manager.  Easily changeable numerical codes for keypads were certainly a change for the better. But these systems have their drawbacks. People seem to be just as likely to lose or forget the latest code as to have it handy, resulting in desperate phone calls. And of course, anyone who learns the code, good or bad, has the keys to the kingdom. But a convergence of new factors is driving a movement towards app-based access systems that are affordable, flexible and more advanced than previous ones. The answer in an app With nearly everyone carrying a cell phone these days, and nearly everything we do embodied in a phone app, it began to look likely that apartment security would eventually rely on the technology that’s already in our pockets. And indeed, some companies were making big headway with selling app-based “smart lock” access solutions to the multifamily industry. Then came COVID-19 to rush things along. The steadily rising tide of home deliveries became a flood. Now you had random people wandering unchecked through many communities, during a time when communities were trying to limit unnecessary exposure of residents and staff to potentially infectious strangers. This was in addition to the usual traffic of visitors in and out of the properties. Suddenly, having to physically pass keys around or meet people at entry doors, gates or elevators was a bit scary, in addition to inconvenient. And keypads with codes left a lot to be desired, for reasons we’ve already touched upon. A contactless solution using smart phone apps that could control entry and even guide someone in the m...