+ 1 non-tech thing we swear by
When we're getting a short-term rental ready to be listed, setting up the technology to support the rental is the most important thing we do.
The technology we use is so important that (as of the time of posting this blog) we provide it for free to all of our new clients. And if it ever breaks, we'll replace it for free. The technology is so important for us to run the rental, we don't want our clients to have any excuse not to use it.
To see all of our technology recommendations in one place, visit our shopping list.
Here's what we put in all of our units and why you absolutely need to have it:
Best Digital Lock for Short-Term Rentals
If you take away nothing else from this article, please please PLEASE get a digital lock. Keys are so 2001. They get lost. They're easy to reproduce without permission. You have to physically give it to someone. Digital locks are your key (see what we did there?) to saving time, money, and sanity.
Even better, get a Wi-Fi enabled digital lock so you can set unique codes for visitors, cleaners, handymen, etc., as well as see a log of who used their code and when.
Our favorite lock is this Hornbill Wi-Fi Smart Door Lock for $70 at Amazon.
Pros of the Hornbill Wi-Fi Smart Door Lock
Easy to install
Easy and intuitive to use (especially for guests)
Dependable
Easy-to-use app to monitor multiple locks (from different properties)
No monthly subscription fee to use the app
Doesn't need Wi-Fi to run once lock codes are coded (in case Wi-Fi goes out)
App connects with our property management software to automatically assign a unique code when a guest books
Cons of the Hornbill Wi-Fi Smart Door Lock
Runs on batteries, which need to be replaced as frequently as once per month
Best Security Camera for Short-Term Rentals
Cameras are helpful to make sure nothing shady is happening at your short-term rental (like someone trying to gain access to it who's not supposed to, or a guest throwing a party with unsanctioned visitors), but the main reason we use our cameras is to monitor when the cleaning crew is there so we know when to tell the next guests they can check in. Additionally, if you live far away from your rental, it's reassuring to check in on the cameras to see that your place is still standing (especially during a hurricane).
We use two types of cameras at rentals that we manage: regular security cameras and doorbell cameras. You can use one or the other or both together, depending on how your property is set up.
A single-family home may need two or more cameras. We like to have one pointed at the front door of the property (or whichever door guests will come in and out of - typically the one your digital lock is on). We also put one pointed on the garage (or where guests will park). We might also put one on the sides of the house if there are additional access points that we want to monitor. Condos typically only need one camera - usually pointed at the front door.
We prefer to use a security camera over a doorbell camera because security cameras have more functionality. You can rotate them remotely from an app and plug them in so they never run out of juice. So if there's a place to mount a security camera, that's what we use. However, if there's not a good place to hang one, we will use a doorbell camera.
An important note about camera placement: Make sure you're not capturing anything on camera that's in a place where a guest would reasonably assume privacy. We never put cameras in the backyard, for example. And certainly not in the house (unless it's a multi-unit property and the inside is a shared lobby).
Also, be sure to disclose your cameras in your STR listings. Say where they are and whether or not they record audio.
We like Zumimall camera products. The have security cameras that can be plugged in or recharged with a solar panel, as well as doorbell cameras that require batteries.
Zumimall Security Camera $76 at Amazon Zumimall Doorbell Camera $64 at Amazon
Pros of Zumimall Cameras
Easy to install
Doorbell camera can be installed with adhesive (not sure how reliable that is, but could be good if you can't drill into a wall to install it)
Doorbell camera has an actual doorbell ringer on it, with a speaker you can put inside the unit
Dependable
Records detected activity and saves it for a period of time
Easy-to-use app to monitor multiple cameras (from the same and different properties)
No monthly subscription fee to use the app
Cons of Zumimall Cameras
If not plugged in, must be recharged or batteries must be replaced
Doesn't work if the Wi-Fi stops working
Best Noise Monitoring for Short-Term Rentals
Monitoring the noise level at your STR can help provide peace of mind for you that your guests aren't getting too crazy and annoying the neighbors. In fact, we don't think STR owners think enough about the impact of their rental on their neighbors. Yet an annoyed neighbor can make your STR business hell.
One way you can ensure your guests aren't overdoing it is to install a NoiseAware device in your unit. The device doesn't record sound, but detects when decibel levels go over a certain prescribed amount. If things are too loud for too long, you'll be alerted so you can reach out to guests and remind them that they may be violating noise ordinances. Or if you get a nosey neighbor who complains about the noise coming from your STR, you can say, "well gosh, that's funny - my NoiseAware hasn't gone off. Wanna see the decibel level on this handy chart, my dude?"
We typically use one indoor NoiseAware unit, which comes free with the $15/month subscription fee. Additional units are $99/each.
Disclose that you have NoiseAware in your STR listings.
Pros of NoiseAware
Unit is small and discreet and you can screw it into the electrical outlet so it can't be easily removed by guests (we label ours with a noiseaware.com label, so observant guests can research wtf it is, if they are suspicious).
You can view a 7-day history of decibel levels in your unit.
Cons of NoiseAware
Monthly subscription fee
Finding out there's excessive noise is just information - you actually have to do something about it as a property manager (maybe NoiseAware will make a robot that politely asks guests to STFU).
And because technology doesn't always work...
We always do this one thing at all the units we manage for peace of mind:
We love our digital locks, but if they fail, guests will need a way in. We install a Master Lock Key Lock Box for $38 on Amazon at all of our properties. Inside, we put any keys that the guest might need to use to get into the property. We only give them the 4-digit combo if they need to use it.
Guests don't need to use it often, but it's a huge lifesaver for the one-off instances when the digital lock fails - either the batteries die or the lock itself dies. Or here's another weird situation you might not consider could happen: You install the new Hornbill digital lock. But your door likely still has a knob that locks. This knob will use a different key than the new Hornbill digital lock. Many guests are used to locking the bottom lock (the door knob lock) when leaving the house. But once they do that, they won't be able to get in, because the Hornbill only locks/unlocks the deadbolt. So be sure to either swap out the knob for one that doesn't lock or put a piece of heavy-duty tape over the lock so no one can accidentally lock it. But definitely put that bottom lock key in your Master Lock Key Lock Box, just in case!
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