An Airbnb lockbox is the appropriate answer to an issue that hosts often have when they cannot personally give over their keys to guests. A safe lockbox keeps rental keys, which visitors may take when they are ready.
Offering self-check-in for visitors has grown in popularity in recent years. Self-check-in avoids physical interaction between visitors and provides them with more freedom.
Learn more about the advantages of utilizing a lockbox to secure your Airbnb rental keys and to facilitate your guests’ check-in procedure.
What is a Lockbox for Airbnb?
A lockbox is a tiny storage device to keep your rental keys safe and secure. It’s quite robust and needs a security code to open.
How to utilize a Lockbox for Airbnb
You may safeguard your keys with a lockbox or control the lock on your Airbnb door. There are numerous popular lockbox systems available, each with a unique lock design:
- Electronic and smart lockboxes — electronic and smart lockboxes are affixed to a door and automatically unlock when the right code is entered or when access is shared through Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. Each time a visitor checks out, the passcode may be changed.
- Lockboxes for wheels — a wheel-lock The Airbnb lockbox comprises numerous scrolling wheels displaying numbers ranging from 0 to 9. Users scroll through the numbers on each wheel to create a combination that unlocks the lock (usually a four-digit code).
- Push-button lockboxes – A push-button lockbox is considered one of the simplest safety boxes to use. When the right sequence of numbers is entered into the buttons, it instantly opens.
- Dial lockboxes – similar to locker room padlocks, these lockboxes have a spinning dial. Users enter a sequence of digits into the dial one by one.
What Are the Advantages of Airbnb Lockboxes?
There are several advantages to including a safe lockbox into your property management strategy:
Security – This is also a more secure manner of handing over the rental keys to your visitors than a traditional meet and greet.
Airbnb lockboxes promote contactless check-ins, which might make guests feel more secure throughout their stay. Self-check-in obviates the necessity for a meet-and-greet and physical transaction, hence assisting in reducing COVID-19 dissemination.
Security of the key – Your rental keys are more secure in a lockbox than in a hidden location. Generally, safety boxes are designed to resist break-in attempts and lockpicking. Your keys are far less likely to be taken from a lockbox than they are from behind a rock or potted plant.
Convenience for the host and his or her guests – Having a lockbox eliminates the need for you to greet your visitors personally. This saves time since you no longer have to organize your calendar around the arrival of visitors at certain times.
Additionally, lockboxes may help you save money since hosts who cannot attend often pay a manager to do so for them. With a lockbox, you no longer have to pay someone to give over your keys regularly.
Additionally, guests benefit from utilizing a lockbox to check in since they may arrive at any convenient time and have greater control over the operation. They may check-in at a more leisurely pace without a host present.
Guests who have traveled a great distance may also be tired and unprepared to speak with hosts or managers.
Where Should My Airbnb Lockbox Be Installed?
A lockbox is often attached to one of two surfaces: walls or doors. While installing a lockbox on a door is often simpler, the disadvantage is that it is more apparent, making it an easier target for pickpockets.
Installing your lockbox on a wall takes longer and may need the use of specialist equipment. The advantage of this is that you have more placement possibilities.
You should make every effort to be as prudent as possible while installing your lockbox. Your box should be hidden yet easily accessible to your visitors. Choose a location that strikes a balance between “well-hidden” and “easy-to-find.”
If you place it in an inconvenient area, visitors may feel angry (particularly at night) and leave a poor review. To prevent this, offer precise, unambiguous directions to your visitors on how to locate your Airbnb lockbox on your home.
For individual Households
Avoid placing your lockbox in a conspicuous location from the road. Consider placing it on the side or rear of the home. If you reside on a busy street with a high volume of traffic and people, the likelihood of someone attempting to access the lockbox is reduced.
However, you should still attempt to conceal it from passersby. The following are some proposed locations for your lockbox:
- Along the side of the home — putting the box along the side of your property is the simplest method to conceal it while still providing access to it for your visitors.
- In the backyard – the backyard provides several opportunities to secure your Airbnb lockbox. It might be attached to a backyard wall or fence. If you have trees or other outside features, such as a pool or fire pit, you might position them near them to serve as visible markers.
- In the garden – a garden is an excellent place to conceal your lockbox. Rental owners increasingly conceal lockboxes in props, such as behind a fake boulder or within a fake hosepipe. Ensure that you offer clear directions for your visitors on locating them.
For Apartment Buildings
Choose a location that is easily accessible but not immediately apparent. You should avoid placing your lockbox next to a roadway or an access gate.
If you’re subletting a home, you may need to get permission from the landlord to install an Airbnb lockbox on the wall or door to prevent receiving complaints.
Conclusion
When visitors check into your vacation property, using an Airbnb lockbox might make them feel more secure. It may help increase rental reservations since many visitors nowadays prefer self-check-in. Self-check-in may also help enhance the client experience.
Guests may plan a check-in time that is convenient for them without worrying about whether someone will be there to greet them. We recommend using property management software to streamline your business!