Locks - Landlord Forum thread

Locks by Ron (Tx) on July 17, 2012 @19:56

What type of locks to most landlords use on SFH's?
I have been using Smart key locks without any problems but I have been informed they are easy to pick. I just acquired another property and need some advice on a better choice. I re-key when after I close on the property and again after rehab has been completed and in between tenants.

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Re: Locks by Bryan (Ia) on July 17, 2012 @20:14	[ Reply ]

All locks do is keep honest people honest. You must decide on the value of the information you find for yourself. http://www.kwikset.com/smartsecurity/Re-Key-Technology/Re-Key-Technology-Smart-Challenge.aspx

Re: Locks by jimbo (CA) on July 17, 2012 @20:43	[ Reply ]

I'm a big fan of the smartkey for it's simplicity and ease of use. I have one SFH with 7 locks, can rekey the whole house in seriously under 10 minutes, with zero labor cost - but you already know that. As another poster mentioned, locks only keep honest people honest. Around here thieves pry or kick doors - I don't hear too much about mystery entries (like picking/bumping might produce) and I don't believe it is common for thieves to actually bump/pick locks. I've dabbled in bumping and its actually more noisy than just a single hard kick. Picking can take a lot of time. The worlds best keys/locks still don't matter if the doors are wood and the windows are glass. Focusing too much on security in your marketing of a property may actually land you in legal trouble if something does happen and the tenants claim you stated that you had 'high security locks', etc. For me I choose to follow the state law requiring working deadbolts on all external doors (except sliders) and then my job is done.

Re: Locks by NY-LL on July 17, 2012 @21:20	[ Reply ]

Smart-Key Locks with deadbolt locks on primary entrance. Double Deadbolt Locks on secondary entrances. According to Consumer Report “Many of the dead-bolt locks tested don't provide the level of protection you might expect. A few well-placed kicks or a standard cordless drill was all it took to defeat every lock except the Medeco Maxum 11WC60L, $190. ” (June 2011)

Re: Locks

LL Tip: Avoiding Tenant Calls from Lockouts by Eric (MN) on July 18, 2012 @18:19	[ Reply ]

I use standard Schlage locks. One way to reduce tenant lockouts is to have a deadbolt with a key, not a locking door knob. Change the door knob to a hall /Closet knob. That way, you can only get locked out of you had the keys when you left. One of the first things I do when I buy a property is to get rid of locks that can be locked by just closing the door. At many places, a knob/deadbolt in a matching set works perfectly. The deadbolt is installed on the residence door, and the locking knob on the garage service door.

Re: LL Tip: Avoiding Tenant Calls from Lockouts