Secure Your Airbnb Rental Using These Two Tools
Airbnb provides homeowners a way to earn extra money using their primary or secondary residences. However, there are a variety of security issues that crop up when temporarily renting space to a parade of strangers. To protect yourself and your assets, here are two tools that can help you secure your Airbnb rental.
Keyless Entry Lock System
Key management is one of the biggest challenges facing Airbnb hosts. Unless you plan on being at the home to let guests in, you'll have to make arrangements to get keys to temporary renters. This can mean anything from leaving the keys under the doormat to using a lockbox system and can range in complexity from easy but insecure to secure but inconvenient.
One way to get the best of both worlds (easy and secure) is to install a keyless entry lock system. There are several different kinds, but the best one for this situation lets you issue key codes to renters so they can unlock the door. You can then erase or change the key code after the renter's stay end. Depending on the system, you can also receive notifications whenever the passcode is used, so you can monitor the activity at your property.
With this type of system, you don't have to worry about leaving keys in unsecured places or that an unscrupulous renter may make a duplicate of your house keys for nefarious reasons. The price of these locks varies depending on the quality and features, but you can get one for as little as $50.
Exterior Video Alarm System
Another tool you'll want to use to secure your home is an exterior video alarm system. Putting cameras inside a rental unit is illegal in many areas due to privacy laws. However, you can still put them on the exterior portion of the building. The ideal security system is one you can access over a secured website, so you can check what's happening at your residence at any time.
This is a good way to monitor who is entering your home and catch issues before they become full-blown problems. For instance, you can check how many people are entering the home and call the renter to break up a party before it gets out of hand. The average cost of a Closed Circuit Television camera system is around $1,517. However, there are many systems available for less than that.
Be aware, though, local laws may require you to notify renters that cameras are in use. It's best to consult with an attorney about this before installing the technology.
For more suggestions on tools you can use to secure your Airbnb rental, contact a security system consultant.