As an Airbnb host (or SuperHost), you’re aware of how essential it is to provide a smooth and hassle-free check-in experience for your guests, even when you're not physically present. Traditionally, hosts have used key boxes or key safes as a cheap, passable solution for remote check-ins in your vacation rental.

However, as the demand for seamless experiences continues to rise, many hosts are now turning to more innovative and tech-savvy solutions, such as contactless check-in, that not only enhance convenience but also elevate the overall guest experience. Smart locks, for instance, have become increasingly popular, allowing guests to check in using personalized codes or smartphone apps. This not only eliminates the need for physical keys but also enhances security, as codes can be easily changed between guests.

Why are lockboxes not a good solution for storing and exchanging keys in 2023?

For the last couple of years, it has become almost standard to see rows of peculiar locks hanging from public infrastructure near apartment buildings and short-term rentals on the streets of the United Kingdom. These locks often contain key cards or keys that enable renters to access their apartments. They are also becoming - slowly but surely - illegal.

Local councils are going to war with these little, ugly safes, and hefty fines are starting to appear for attaching them in public spaces. Edinburgh Council is actively removing lockboxes, and the same things start happening in various London boroughs.

Are lock boxes safe to store keys in?

Hosts are also switching to keeping their keys in other places, as key safes prove that they’re notoriously easy to break in (youtube has a whole collection of “instructional” videos showing various techniques). A Google search offers 135,000,000 hits for “how to break into a lock box” many of these are highly sophisticated explainer videos.

Fortunately, there are several alternatives to key boxes that can help make the check-in process more comfortable and secure for you and your guests.

Here are 5 alternatives to key boxes that you can use to store and exchange your keys:

KeyNest

KeyNest is a convenient alternative to key boxes that enables hosts and property managers to securely exchange keys and manage remote access upon arrival of their guests and cleaners. Our network of partner stores provides 7,000+ secure, convenient, and accessible locations where hosts can drop off keys for their guests to collect.

The portal and mobile app system allows hosts to manage access, receive notifications, and track the keys' movements, ensuring the safety of their property and guests. Using KeyNest eliminates the need for key safes, automate check-ins, saves hosts time and money, and provides a more secure solution for remote check-ins. With KeyNest, hosts can say goodbye to the hassles of traditional key exchanges.

Our user-friendly platform streamlines the entire process, allowing hosts to easily set up key drop-off and pick-up appointments tailored to their guests’ arrival times. The app not only sends notifications when keys are collected or returned but also provides real-time tracking for added peace of mind.

Moreover, KeyNest integrates seamlessly with existing property management systems, making it an ideal solution for both individual hosts and large property management firms. The flexibility of our service means that hosts can choose from a wide range of partner stores that are conveniently located, ensuring that guests can pick up keys with ease, no matter their arrival time or location.

In addition to enhancing guest experience, KeyNest prioritizes security. Each key exchange is encrypted and logged, ensuring that hosts always have a record of who accessed their property and when. This level of control helps to mitigate risks and provides hosts with the confidence they need to share access with guests and service providers.

Our dedicated customer support team is always available to assist with any questions or concerns, ensuring that hosts can focus on providing exceptional experiences for their guests without worrying about key management logistics.

By choosing KeyNest, hosts not only improve the efficiency of their operations but also enhance the overall guest experience, leading to higher satisfaction rates and positive reviews. Join the growing community of hosts who trust KeyNest to simplify their key management, elevate their property services, and help them stand out in a competitive market.

Pricing: from £5.95 per key collection or £21.95 for monthly unlimited key collections. Click here to explore full pricing.

Smart Locks

Smart locks are another alternative to key boxes, offering hosts the ability to control access to their property remotely. With a smart lock, hosts can create unique access codes that can be provided to guests via email or text message. Smart locks also offer additional security features, such as the ability to set schedules and monitor access.

As convenient as smart locks are, they come with a hefty price tag and added costs: installation cost, maintenance cost, and branded spare parts cost. And if you decide to switch to another solution, there’s a rather large removal cost included as well. Plus, if you have a communal door in your building, you won’t be able to install a smart lock there, unless all the other neighbours agree to have it fitted.

Pricing: £200 - £500 for the lock, plus installation cost

Relying On A Neighbour Or Friend

This is a pretty popular key management system solution for new Airbnb hosts - after all, your neighbour is right there and it’s easy to have an informal arrangement with a bottle of wine or a small amount of cash every time they welcome your guests and do key handover.

It does have downsides though and a true test of friendship. Your neighbour won’t want to answer the door at 3am any more than you will, so you can’t welcome guests 24/7 this way. Your neighbour will have their own plans a lot of the time, so they won’t always be available and not efficient and secure as a business key management solution when you are away.

Overall, love thy neighbor as thou love self and relying on a neighbour is probably a solution best used just once or twice for your own private or Airbnb key exchanges - your neighbour most likely won’t give such a friendly welcome after they’ve handed the keys over for your 50th guest

Using A Greeter

This is a great solution for giving your guest a personal welcome. Greeters are a friendly, keyless, professional and will help to give that personal touch that will make your guests’ stay really memorable.

Greeters are commonly used by property management companies running high-end apartments, and if you are running a luxury Airbnb your guests might expect them.

But greeters don’t come cheap - unless your listing is high-end, this solution is probably too expensive to be viable.

A Lockbox

Using Airbnb lockboxes are probably the cheapest solution for handing keys to your staffs and tenants. The Airbnb lockbox payment is quite affordable and you can get one for as little as £25. Using them is pretty self explanatory and hassle-free. But they cost in other areas and some probably things it is the least secure option on having a way to get keys.

Additionally, leaving your key unattended can make it an easy target for criminals and it won't provide a safe keeping for your property access. For a police-approved badge, a lockbox or a key box only needs to be able to delay a break in by 60 seconds which deems it not one of the most efficient Airbnb access managing solution. Preventing guests from coming back and accessing your keys again that can compromise your backup keys means that the code also needs to be changed after every time it’s used which isn’t ideal if you’re away on a long holiday yourself and have multiple bookings.

About Us

With KeyNest, you can drop off a key at one of our 7,000+ convenient locations, such as local stores or cafes. Guests, cleaners, or contractors will be able to securely retrieve the key from the KeyNest Point (usually open 24/7).

You'll receive notifications each time the key is picked up and returned, and you can even set custom check-in and check-out times for added convenience.

We have an expanding network of locations globally, likely just a few minutes away from your property, visit our website at https://keynest.com/ to learn more.

Airbnb Host Guide: 5 Alternatives To Lockboxes And Key Boxes For Remote Check-Ins