If you own a vacation rental in Florida, you already know the bookings keep coming. Tourists love the beaches, the weather, and easy access to everything the area offers. But here’s the problem most hosts don’t think about until it’s too late: what happens to your keys after guests check out?
You hand over keys to strangers every week. Some guests lose them. Others might copy them. A few forget to return them at all. Suddenly, you’re dealing with lockouts, last-minute security scrambles, or wondering who has access to your property.
Why Keys Become Your Biggest Headache
Most vacation rentals still use regular keys. The problem is once you hand a key to a guest, you have zero control over what happens next. They can get copies made at any hardware store. Keys get lost in rental cars or left on restaurant tables. You won’t know until the next guest arrives and nothing works.
If you manage properties near the Intracoastal or Ocean Avenue, you’re dealing with high turnover during the season. That means more key exchanges, more risk, and more headaches. One lost key can cost you hundreds in emergency calls and lost rental days.
What Happens When You Go Keyless
Smart locks eliminate physical keys entirely. Guests get a unique code that works only during their reservation. The code stops working after checkout, so there’s nothing to return or copy.
| Feature | How It Helps You |
| Temporary Access Codes | Each guest gets a code that expires automatically after their stay |
| Remote Control | Lock or unlock from your phone, even if you’re out of state |
| Entry Logs | See exactly who entered and when with timestamped records |
| Platform Integration | Syncs with Airbnb and Vrbo to automate check-ins |
Smart locks for Airbnb Florida hosts solve the biggest pain point around access management. You can let cleaning crews in between guests, grant early access to travelers flying into Palm Beach International Airport, and never worry about lost keys again.
The Old-School Alternative That Still Works
Not ready to go keyless? There’s another option. When you need to reset access to your property, rekeying service changes the internal pins so old keys won’t work anymore, but your hardware stays the same.
This costs less than buying new locks and takes about 30 minutes per door. It’s useful after seasonal tenants leave or if a guest never returned their keys. Some hosts do this between long-term rentals as standard practice.
How Often Does This Need to Happen?
At minimum, once a year. If keys go missing or you have any security concerns, do it right away. For short-term rentals with weekly turnovers, smart locks make more sense than constant rekeying. But if you rent monthly or seasonally, rekeying works fine as part of your maintenance routine.
Picking Locks That Won’t Fall Apart in Florida
Not all locks hold up in Florida’s climate. Salt air corrodes cheap hardware fast, especially near the coast. Look for locks with corrosion-resistant finishes and marine-grade ratings if your property is close to the beach.
Grade 1 deadbolts give you the highest level of protection. They’re harder to pick and stand up better if someone tries to force entry. Keypad locks are a middle option where guests use a code instead of a key, but you have to change it manually between stays.
The Spots You’re Probably Forgetting About
Your main entry isn’t the only weak point. Sliding glass doors are everywhere in Florida rentals, and they’re easy to force open without secondary locks. Add a security bar or auxiliary lock to every slider in your property.
| Vulnerable Area | What to Add |
| Sliding Glass Doors | Security bar or foot lock |
| Ground Floor Windows | Secondary locks or pins |
| Pool Gates | Self-closing lock for liability protection |
| Garage Entry Doors | Deadbolt separate from automatic opener |
The Maintenance Nobody Wants to Do But Should
Check your locks every few months. Salt air, humidity, and constant use take their toll. Look for loose strike plates, sticky mechanisms, or visible corrosion. If you have smart locks, swap batteries twice a year and keep firmware updated.
When Things Go Wrong at the Worst Possible Time
Locks fail at the worst times. A guest gets locked out at midnight, or a battery dies right before check-in. Having a locksmith you can call saves you from scrambling during an emergency.
This matters during peak season especially. You can’t afford bad reviews because someone couldn’t get into your rental. Keep local contact info handy and let your property manager know who to call if something goes wrong.
Installing Smart Locks Without Screwing It Up
Installing smart locks isn’t rocket science, but it needs to be done right. A bad install means codes that don’t work, batteries that drain too fast, or doors that don’t latch correctly. If you’re upgrading to keyless entry for your rental, the installation matters as much as the lock itself.
Even if you’re keeping traditional locks for now, regular rekeying keeps your property secure between guests. You can always upgrade later once you see how your rental business grows.
Your Security Checklist
Use this as a reference for your property:
- Rekey or install smart locks at least once per year
- Add secondary locks to all sliding doors and ground-floor windows
- Inspect lock hardware quarterly for corrosion or wear
- Keep backup batteries on hand if using electronic locks
- Have a local locksmith contact saved for emergencies
- Document your security features in your listing description
Why Guests Care About This Stuff
Security isn’t just about protecting your property. It’s also a selling point. Guests feel better knowing your rental has modern access control. They like the convenience of keyless check-in, especially after long flights into Palm Beach International.
Mention your security setup in your listing. It builds trust and can justify charging a bit more than other rentals nearby. Clear check-in instructions also mean fewer support requests and better reviews.
Making This Work Without Breaking the Bank
You don’t have to upgrade everything at once. Start with the biggest vulnerabilities like the front door and sliders. If the budget is tight, rekeying locks for rental property in Florida costs less than full replacements and still gives you control over access.
As your rental income grows, you can add smart locks, upgrade to higher-grade deadbolts, or install security cameras. The goal is having a system you can maintain without it becoming another full-time job.