Smart locks are essential when you're running a rent-to-rent business. Whether you want to rent out one property or several, you need to ensure your properties are safe and secure. Smart locks will improve your tenants' experience and help you scale your rent-to-rent business faster because they will save you lots of time.
The most popular smart lock for rent-to-rent in the UK is the August Home WiFi Smart Lock. This handy lock comes with smartphone compatibility that lets you know if your front door is locked, open, or closed. It also lets you send temporary or permanent access codes to your tenants.
Let’s take a look at each of the best smart locks for your rent-to-rent properties in the United Kingdom below.
What Is The Best Smart Lock For Rent-to-Rent?
1. August Home WiFi Smart Lock (best of the best)
2. Kwikset Contemporary Electronic Keypad (best budget-friendly)
3. Hornbill Keyless Entry Smart Lock (best for guests' experience)
4. Safely Keyless Entry Door Lock (best for advanced features)
5. Athpell Electronic Keypad Deadbolt (best lock handle replacement)
6. Kwikset SmartCode Z-Wave Lock (best Alexa smart lock)
Our Verdict - Best Of The Best
Price: From £28.96 per month or £341.05
The August Home WiFi Smart Lock boasts numerous impressive features, including a quick 10-minute installation process. You can use it to send codes to rent-to-rent clients or monitor your home’s security from anywhere.
These smart locks have WiFi technology, letting you keep track wherever you go. It’s also won numerous security awards from CNET, proving its effectiveness.
Top Features
- Easy installation process
- Includes WiFi connectivity
- Lets you create permanent, custom, or temporary codes
- Low-profile design
- Comes with a biometric thumbprint lock
Cons
- Slightly bulkier than other smart locks
- Near the higher end of the price range
(more than 2900 reviews on Amazon)
Our Verdict - Best Budget-Friendly
Price: £113.54 on Amazon
If you want to save a little without sacrificing security, try the Kwikset Contemporary Electronic Keypad. This simple design lets you enter the rent-to-rent home without using fancy gadgets and techniques. It has a basic 10-digit display that lets you create custom codes.
You’ll also enjoy the one-touch lock design. There’s no need to spend time locking the door with a code when you can tap the lock button for instant security. You can also program it to automatically lock after the door closes.
Top Features
- Customisable codes with 10 digits
- Automatic lock timers ranging from 10 to 99 seconds
- One-touch locking mechanism
- Includes a keyhole as a secondary entry point
Cons
- Doesn’t use WiFi or Bluetooth
- No camera, biometrics, or apps
Our Verdict - Best For Guests' Experience
Price: From £18.82 per month or £211.58
The Hornbill Keyless Entry Smart Lock is one of the best rent-to-rent smart locks because it has a unique touchscreen display, auto-locking features, and keyless entry. You can use a key to unlock and lock it if you forget the code or the battery dies.
Speaking of which, this smart lock includes a backup battery. You’ll never have to worry about it suddenly failing without warning. Much like the previous model, it also comes with a one-touch locking mechanism.
(more than 2700 reviews on Amazon)
Top Features
- Uses an app for remote controlling
- Keyless entry via a touchscreen
- Includes a backup emergency battery
- Lets you permit users for designated lengths of time
Cons
- Slightly pricier than other models on the list
- Touchscreen is prone to fingerprints and needs to be wiped down
Our Verdict - Best For Advanced Features
Price: From £21.37 per month or £240.25
Do you want a rent-to-rent smart lock that has everything you need? The Safely Keyless Entry Door Lock has WiFi, Alexa, and Google Smart Home. It also has biometric locks with membrane buttons on a low-profile design.
You might also like the two key fobs that come with this smart lock. It even comes with a battery that lasts up to a year. Charge or replace the battery for a couple of hours and you’ll be good to go.
(more than 4000 reviews on Amazon)
Top Features
- Compatible with Google Home and Alexa
- Includes key fobs, membrane buttons, and fingerprint access
- Lifetime customer support around the clock
Cons
- Smudges due to the shiny material
- Bulky handle could brush against screen doors
Our Verdict - Best Lock Handle Replacement
Price: From £149
If you want to replace your entire door locking mechanism, consider the Athpell Electronic Keypad Deadbolt. The stylish bronze design includes a durable handle and a smart lock with a 12-month battery life, a one-touch lock, and hundreds of customisable locking codes.
Security comes first with this smart lock. It has anti-peeking features, a battery life indicator, and an IP65 waterproof rating.
Top Features
- Stylish, modern design
- Long-lasting battery life that uses AA batteries
- Shows battery life and anti-peeking technology
Cons
- This lock only comes in one colour
- No app or WiFi compatibility
6. Kwikset SmartCode Z-Wave Lock
Our Verdict - Best Alexa Smart Lock
Price: £190.05 on Amazon
Do you have Amazon’s Alexa services throughout your rent-to-rent property? If so, we recommend the Kwikset SmartCode Z-Wave Lock. It’s compatible with Alexa and comes in polished brass or bronze.
This smart lock lets you manage up to 30 codes to hand out to clients, family members, etc. If it’s paired with Alexa, you can make it turn on the air conditioner or heater right when you walk in the front door!
(highest rating reviews on Amazon 4.5 out of 5)
Top Features
- Comes with a handful of preset codes that you can delete, use, or change
- Lets you create multiple codes for several clients
- Compatible with Amazon’s Alexa
Cons
- Two digits per button on the front display
What to Look for in a Smart Lock for Rent-to-Rent
Look for these features in a smart lock for rent-to-rent in the UK:
- Functionality: Make sure you get the smart lock that has all of the features you’re looking for. Consider smartphone apps, temporary codes, keyless entry, built-in cameras, microphones, etc.
- Installation: Some smart locks replace the handle, whereas others are used as secondary entry points. Find out if you need to remove the old hardware from the door before getting a new smart lock.
- Feedback: Smart locks protect your property, so it’s important to know what customers think of the product. Check if it has good reviews and proven protection before trusting your rent-to-rent property with a new lock.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer the August Home’s impressive advanced features or the minimalist Kwikset Contemporary Smart Lock, we have no doubt you’ll find the perfect smart lock for your rent-to-rent property in the UK. Remember, you can use smart locks for any entry point, including the front door, back door, gate, etc.
The upfront costs for smart locks may be higher than having standard locks. However, you can see it as an investment in your business. Smart locks will save you and your team time, you will have better control over your properties, and by improving your guests' experience, you will receive better reviews equating to more business.
