Technology is transforming many aspects of our lives, and rental property management is no exception. With the increasing popularity of smart home systems, rental housing is getting connected. One such trend is the rise of keyless entry and smart locks.
An innovation that was once considered a luxury is now a standard option for many rental properties. The reason is that smart locks offer benefits for landlords and tenants — benefits that outweigh the costs.
According to one source, the U.S. smart lock segment was worth an estimated $887.6 million in 2024 and is on pace to expand at a 16.1% compound annual growth rate from 2025 to 2030.
Here are five main reasons why smart locks are becoming more popular in rental properties.
1. Increased Convenience
Smart locks make renting more convenient because traditional keys can be lost, stolen, or locked inside the property.
With smart locks, renters eliminate the problems associated with physical keys. Leveraging technology, tenants will be able to open doors via smartphone apps, keypads and PIN codes, biometric access systems, and Bluetooth.
For many renters with busy schedules, being able to enter their apartments and houses without worrying about physical keys is a game-changer.
By creating custom access codes, tenants can grant different people access to their properties without giving away spare keys. In an era of technological advancements, many tenants expect the same level of comfort from renting as from other areas of their lives.
2. Advanced Security and Access Control
Another advantage offered by smart locks is improved security. Traditional locks pose certain risks for security because they can be:
- Copied
- Retained by former tenants
However, smart locks provide better control over property access as managers can:
- Change access codes instantly
- Revoke digital keys remotely
- Get notifications about entry attempts
- Set temporary permissions
All this means that property management can become simpler as less rekeying is needed.
Smart lock access systems notify tenants whenever someone accesses their home, thereby improving their awareness of what’s happening at home.
3. Simplified Property Management
For landlords, smart locks can simplify property management. Keeping track of the distribution of physical keys among different tenants is quite a complex process that involves dealing with:
- Rekeying between tenants
- Picking up keys after a move-out procedure
- Sending locksmiths to handle lockouts
Smart lock systems help eliminate many of those problems. By using digital systems, property managers can remotely grant access to maintenance services, provide temporary codes to guests and workers, change tenants’ permissions, and handle different emergencies.
This saves a lot of time for property managers and helps them save money, especially for those with large rental property portfolios.
An effective way for income property owners to simplify property management is to hire a property management company to handle some or all of the heavy lifting. If you go that route, you should find a service provider that services property owners in your neck of the woods. So, if your portfolio of assets includes an apartment in Houston, find a property manager in Houston.
4. Integration of Smart Home Features Increases Appeal
Renters are more interested in technology than they were in the past. So, modern rental properties equipped with smart home features will increase the appeal.
Among the smart home features that attract tenants’ attention are the following:
- Smart thermostats
- Home security systems
- Home lighting systems
- Fast internet infrastructure
- Video doorbells
Smart locks are included in this list because they are one way to build a smart home.
Many tenants appreciate modern technologies that can make their lives easier. In competitive rental markets, landlords can gain a significant advantage by offering technologically equipped rentals.
5. Reduced Long-Term Costs
Although installing digital lock systems may be expensive at first, many landlords prefer paying for installation to cut costs later. It’s about paying now and saving later.
With smart locks, many recurring expenses are reduced, as property managers don’t need to physically change locks; they only need to update tenants’ access permissions.
Smart locks are one of the many manifestations of technology in modern rental properties. What once seemed like a luxury feature is becoming common as technology advances. So, there’s no doubt that more and more rentals will use this innovation in the coming years — and that’ll be good not only for tenants but also for rental property owners.