Keyless entry systems are fast replacing traditional keys for many multi-unit and multi-family buildings. While some of us will miss that feeling of new beginnings when you received a key from your new landlord, for property owners and managers, the future is electric, convenient, and remote operated.

Locksmithing has changed since we started back in 1960. A lot of our business was installing and replacing locksets, removing broken keys, and helping people get into their building when they got locked out.

Now, instead of helping people after a problem arises, we work with our customers to prevent problems — and keyless entry systems play a big role in that, especially for multi-family buildings, where every tenant becomes a variable in your building security system.

In this article, we’ll explain what you need to know about upgrading to keyless entry for your multi-family building. You, too, can stop tracking keys and start managing access.

Why Multi-Family Buildings are Switching to Keyless Entry

Sometimes you feel like you need to make a change just to keep up with the property manager next door, but there are plenty of reasons to upgrade to a keyless building entry system that have nothing to do with peer pressure.

  • Simplify your job  Physical key management requires good organization and a physical handoff. Keyless entry systems can be managed from anywhere with a WiFi connection and a login. You can handle those late night lockout emergencies in your pajamas!
  • Optimize your costs  Keyless locks don’t need to be rekeyed nor to have replacement keys made. That means fewer calls to the locksmith and fewer trips to the hardware store.
  • Prevent lockpicking and bumping  Because there is no keyhole, keyless locks cannot be picked or bumped like a mechanical cylinder lock.
  • Create a digital trail  Keyless locks gather data about when they are used and by which user. This can tell you how your building entryways are being used as well as provide information during investigation into an incident.
  • Integrate with your current system  Many keyless entry solutions can be easily integrated with your existing smart locks or networked security devices.

Main Types of Keyless Entry Solutions for Multi-Family Buildings

There are many kinds of keyless lock, but not all of them make sense for multi-family buildings. In our estimation, these are the most useful and practical kinds of keyless entry systems for apartments:

Keypad Entry Systems

Probably the most familiar kind, these locks have a keypad mounted on the door. You can create a single code for everyone or, in many cases, a unique code for every unit in your building.

Key Fob / Key Card Systems

These locks have a reader and open when the user waves a fob or card in front of it. Key cards are more typical of office buildings and schools. Multi-family buildings tend to opt for keyfobs that users can carry on a key ring with their car’s key fob.

Smart Lock Systems

Smart locks may use a keypad or even a reader, but they are connected to a network either on the property or in the cloud. Networked locks can be managed remotely, increasing convenience and data tracking. Some smart locks have apps so that the user’s phone becomes the key card.

Common Concerns About Keyless Entry Systems

Upgrading a multi-family building to keyless locks involves a significant expense — by definition, you’re buying multiple locksets — so it’s worth making sure these locks won’t introduce new problems you’d rather not deal with.

And it’s true that, like any technology, with new advantages come new disadvantages. Not all of them are as big a problem as they may seem, but you should be aware of them before you commit to any given system.

Power Outages / Dead Batteries

Keyless locks use electricity, which means they depend upon a power supply — so yes, technically, it is possible for them to lose power.

Lock manufacturers are well aware of this and are very motivated to avoid it. Many keyless locks are actually wired into the building and have backup batteries. Battery-powered keyless locks use AA or AAA batteries and can last anywhere from 6–12 months between changes. These locks will have an indicator light or beep (or both) when the battery level drops to a certain point, giving you a lot of time to replace them.

Finally, keyless locks have failsafes that allow you to unlock the door even when all power is gone. Sometimes this involves attaching an external power supply, and sometimes it involves a physical process.

Hacking

So many of us have experienced some form of identity theft, and our movies and TV shows have hackers cracking systems all the time, so it’s understandable if you’re worried about security with a smart lock. 

The good news is that it requires a high degree of sophistication and resources to hack a smart lock — you’re not really going to get a kid in his bedroom breaking into your building. Many smart locks can also detect an attempt to hack into them and will notify you.

If you purchase a reputable brand and work with experienced professionals, you can be assured you’re getting high-end encryption protection.

Relative Ease or Difficulty of Use

Some property managers worry that their tenants may not be able to operate a keyless lock or that it will be too complicated to teach them.

The reverse is often the case. Keyless locks have intuitive interfaces and are easy to learn. They may even be easier for older tenants because they don’t require handling a tiny key. Moreover, many property managers find that their elderly tenants appreciate the convenience of being able to let their visitors in from their phones.

Maintenance Costs

If you have an electronic lock, you’ll need someone who knows how to troubleshoot them should anything go wrong. There’s no myth to bust here: It will often cost more for us to come fix a smart lock than a mechanical lock. However, smart locks don’t necessarily require as much maintenance, so you will be calling us less often. And again, if a tenant gets locked out because they lost their fob or their phone died, you’ll often be able to grant them access without getting us involved at all.

Quick Tips on How to Successfully Upgrade to Keyless Locks

To successfully upgrade a multi-family building to keyless locks, you need to manage three factors:

  • Infrastructure
  • Budget
  • Users

Infrastructure

Assess your entryway needs. How many entryways need keyless locks? Will you be using keyless locks only for common entryways and mechanical keys for individual units? If all units will be keyless, do you want to have unique codes for everyone? In that case, any common-area locks will need to support multiple codes. Or, each tenant can have two codes: one for common areas and one for their unit.

Infrastructure considerations may also involve power. If you want to wire in your locks, you’ll need to know where they can be connected and what kind of alterations to the building may be necessary.

Budget

You need to project out a few years to really experience the cost-effectiveness of keyless systems, which comes in the form of saved time, greater security, and fewer calls to professionals. The upfront cost will be more than with mechanical locks, so be prepared for that. Ask your security professional to help you compare the relative costs.

Users

Like we’ve said, keyless systems are pretty intuitive, and most people have had some experience with them already. Nonetheless, there is always a learning curve. Owners and property managers who communicate well with their tenants tend to experience fewer problems making the transition. Have a plan, tell tenants what’s going on and what they need to know, and be prepared to field questions for the first week or so.

Keyless Locks: Multiple Benefits for Multi-Family Buildings

Keyless entry solutions for apartments and multi-family buildings aren’t primarily about being “high tech” or “with the times” — they’re about increased security and convenience for you and your tenants. Their few disadvantages can be readily overcome with a little education and communication, and their longterm cost savings can often be compounded with the benefits of retaining tenants and quickly attracting new ones.

If you’re ready to explore the keyless future, give us a call today. One of our experts can get you started on the road to being key-free. We can even come out and help you assess your security needs.

When it matters most, call Anderson Lock.