Smart Locks for Rentals — Vendor Comparison 2026

Smart locks for rentals split into two categories: consumer locks repurposed (August, Yale Assure, Schlage Encode) and rental-purpose-built (Igloohome, RemoteLock, Latch). The right answer depends on door count, whether you need PMS integration, and whether you're willing to manage codes manually. Below: a head-to-head, the install gotchas, and the real TCO at 25 and 100 doors.

Smart locks moved from luxury to standard issue in mid-tier rentals over the last five years. The case is straightforward: no rekeying between tenancies, remote access for maintenance and showings, no lockout calls at 11pm, audit trail for entries. The vendor choice is less straightforward — the market has three tiers with different operating models.

TL;DR

• Under 10 doors: August or Yale Assure with a hub. Cheap, decent app, no PMS integration required.
• 10–50 doors, want code automation: Schlage Encode WiFi (no hub) or Igloohome (no internet required) — both pair well with self-managers.
• 50+ doors, want PMS integration and remote management: RemoteLock or Latch. Higher cost, broader capability.
• Short-term rentals (Airbnb/VRBO): Igloohome's offline code generation is the standout — codes that work without internet at the lock.
• Don't: mix lock vendors across your portfolio if you can help it. The operating-mode tax of multiple apps eats the savings.

What "smart lock" actually means for rentals

Three lock categories you'll encounter:

1. Keypad-only locks (no connectivity). Mechanical lock with a code keypad. You change the code manually between tenants. Cheap, reliable, no app to manage. Brands: Schlage BE365, Kwikset Powerbolt.
2. WiFi/Bluetooth smart locks (consumer). App-controlled, code management via phone, audit log via app. Brands: August (Yale-owned), Yale Assure, Schlage Encode, Kwikset Halo.
3. Rental-grade smart locks with management platforms. Multi-property dashboards, PMS integrations, role-based access, often work alongside a building access system. Brands: Igloohome, RemoteLock, Latch, PointCentral (a NetGear/Alarm.com line).

The right tier depends on door count and operational style, not on which brand has the slickest marketing.

Vendor head-to-head

Pricing is per-lock retail in 2026. Negotiated multi-unit pricing can be 15–30% lower at 50+ door volumes.

The four real questions

1. Do you need an app for codes, or are you fine with a keypad?

If you're under 10 doors with low turnover, mechanical keypad locks (Schlage BE365) cost $80–$130 each, never need batteries replaced more than once a year, and "rekey" by punching in a new master code. The downside: you change codes manually, and you have no audit log if there's a dispute.

If you have turnover frequently, multiple staff, or any short-term inventory, app-based smart locks pay back fast.

2. Do you need PMS integration?

A handful of property management platforms integrate directly with smart-lock vendors — auto-creating codes for new tenants, expiring codes at lease end, and granting maintenance access on work orders. If you want this:

• Igloohome has documented APIs and works with several PM platforms.
• RemoteLock has the broadest published PMS integration list, including Buildium, AppFolio, and major STR platforms.
• Latch is more closed; integrates with its own ecosystem.

Without PMS integration, your operations workflow has a step where you manually create or revoke codes when leases turn over. Tolerable at 10 doors. Painful at 50.

3. Are you running short-term rentals?

For Airbnb / VRBO / direct-bookings, you need:

• Codes that work even if WiFi at the unit drops.
• Codes auto-generated per reservation.
• Codes that expire automatically at checkout.

Igloohome is the standout here — its "algoPIN" generates codes offline based on a synchronized clock at the lock. No internet required at the unit. Codes generated and shared via the dashboard, valid for the reservation window, expire on schedule. This is the right tool for STR.

RemoteLock and PointCentral also handle STR well but require connectivity at the lock.

4. Do you have wiring and power for installation?

Most smart locks are battery-powered (4 AA, usually 6–12 months life). Some commercial-grade installs use wired power. Latch in particular is built for hardwired installation as part of new construction or building-wide retrofits — the per-lock cost is higher, but the install is centralized.

If you're retrofitting unit-by-unit, battery-powered is almost always the right choice.

Real-world TCO

At 25 doors

Consumer route (Schlage Encode):

• 25 locks × $280 = $7,000 hardware
• No platform fee
• Battery replacement: ~$50/yr across portfolio
• Year 1: ~$7,050
• Year 2–5: ~$50/yr ongoing

Rental-grade route (RemoteLock):

• 25 locks × $350 = $8,750 hardware
• Monthly platform fee: ~$5/lock × 25 = $125/mo = $1,500/yr
• Year 1: ~$10,250
• Year 2–5: $1,500/yr ongoing

The rental-grade premium at 25 doors is meaningful (~$4,000 over five years). Justified only if PMS integration and centralized management materially reduce your operations time.

At 100 doors

Consumer route (Schlage Encode):

• 100 locks × $280 = $28,000 hardware
• No platform fee
• Manual code management ate (~3–5 hours/month of staff time)
• Year 1: ~$28,200

Rental-grade route (RemoteLock):

• 100 locks × $350 = $35,000 hardware
• Monthly: ~$5/lock × 100 = $500/mo = $6,000/yr
• Year 1: ~$41,000
• Year 2–5: $6,000/yr ongoing

At 100 doors, the rental-grade premium is $7K Year 1 plus $6K/yr ongoing. The staff time on manual code management at this scale starts to make the platform fee defensible — but only if you're actually using the integration.

At any scale: include the install cost

DIY install on existing deadbolt holes: free if you're handy. $50–$120 per lock if you hire a locksmith. Latch and other commercial systems often require professional install at $150–$300 per door.

For 100 doors with a locksmith, you're adding $5K–$12K to the project. Plan for it.

Installation gotchas

The avoidable problems:

• Door alignment. Smart locks are less tolerant of off-square doors than mechanical deadbolts. If your strike plate is misaligned, the motor will struggle and battery life craters. Fix alignment before install.
• Door thickness. Most smart locks fit 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" doors. Older urban properties sometimes have 1-1/4" or 2" doors that need adapters or alternative models.
• WiFi coverage at the door. Schlage Encode and Kwikset Halo connect directly. If your unit's WiFi is weak at the entry, the lock falls offline. Test before deploying 50 of them.
• Lock body length / backset. 2-3/8" backset is standard residential; 2-3/4" is also common. Measure before ordering.
• HOA / condo restrictions. Many HOAs have rules on hardware visible from the exterior. Check.
• Multi-family front doors. Building entries are a different problem from unit entries — different vendors, different installation, often a building-access partner like Latch, ButterflyMX, or Brivo.

Operational rules that prevent headaches

Regardless of vendor:

1. One naming convention for codes — e.g., "Tenant-[Unit]-[Lease end YYYY-MM]". Searchable, expirable, identifiable.
2. One vendor code per role: maintenance, cleaner, owner, agent. Don't reuse codes across roles.
3. Audit log review monthly. Look at unusual entries. Flag the "front door opened at 3am" patterns.
4. Battery replacement on a schedule, not on a failure. Quarterly replacement at $1.50/lock is cheaper than one lockout call.
5. Backup mechanical key kept secure. Smart locks fail. Have a key in a managed lockbox or known-safe location.
6. Document lock model and code in the unit file. When the next staff member takes over, they shouldn't have to reverse-engineer your system.

Where AI / PMS integrations add real value

Beyond manual code creation, the workflows worth automating:

• Lease-start code generation. New lease signed → tenant code auto-created, scoped to lease dates, sent to tenant via email.
• Lease-end code expiration. Lease ends → tenant code expires automatically at midnight on move-out day.
• Work order access. Maintenance work order assigned to Vendor X → time-bounded code sent to vendor for the work window.
• Showing access for prospective tenants. Showing scheduled → one-time code valid only for the showing window.

These are the workflows that make rental-grade smart-lock platforms pay for themselves at scale. If your PM platform handles all of these natively (some do — confirm during your demo), the case for a separate smart-lock platform weakens.

FAQ

Do tenants have to use the app, or can they use a code? Almost every smart lock supports both: a tenant-specific code on the keypad, and optionally app-based access. Default to code for tenants; reserve app access for staff and the operator.

What happens if the battery dies? Most smart locks beep low-battery warnings for 2–4 weeks before fully dying. Some (Schlage Encode, August) support emergency 9V battery jump on contacts at the bottom of the keypad. All have a backup mechanical key cylinder. The fail state is recoverable; the prevention is quarterly battery checks.

Are smart locks code-compliant for fire egress? Yes, residential smart locks satisfy egress (you can always turn the inside thumb-turn without a code). Building codes apply to building doors (lobby, stairwell), which is a different problem. Consult local code if you're retrofitting common-area doors.

Can my tenant change the master code or lock me out? Properly configured, no. Tenants get a tenant-scoped code; the master/admin code stays with you. Check that you've actually changed the manufacturer default master code (this is the most common screw-up).

Should I require renter's insurance to cover smart-lock damage? Smart-lock damage from misuse (forced entry, tampering, water exposure) is typically the tenant's responsibility under the lease. Renter's insurance generally doesn't cover damage to landlord property — that's still on the tenant directly. Make this clear in the lease.

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