Why a Combination Gate Lock Is Useful for Rental Properties

If you own rental properties, then you’ll understand the importance of keeping your tenants happy. An empty rental property is a drain on your finances, right? As such, you need to keep tenants so you continue to receive rental income. One of the best ways to ensure you have happy tenants is to create safe living conditions – that includes your locks. Not just the locks on your doors, but locks on the perimeter – your gate locks. Have you ever considered upgrading to combo locks for your gates?

In recent years, many UK landlords have invested in combination locks as opposed to standard lock and key gate locks. A gate lock with code-based entry is far more secure and far less likely to cause issues like lockouts. To help you appreciate the value of combo locks for your gates, we asked Lock & Key Rotherham, a UK locksmithing specialist, about these lock types.

Are they a trend, or are they the modern choice for landlords looking to improve access to their rentals without compromising security? Let’s find out!

Why UK Landlords Are Turning to Gate Locks With Code Access

As a landlord, your competition is other rental properties in the local area, right? If your tenant is unhappy with their conditions, they can look for another rental. That leaves you with vacant rental property that is not generating income, which is a nightmare. Tenants, though, have options.

That means you need to take every step you can to make your rental properties a viable long-term option. When you get a good tenant, you want them to stick around for years to come, and the best way to keep a tenant happy is to make them feel safe.

The reason we bring up competition is simple: have a look around other rental properties in your area. Many of them will already be using combo locks for gates. They will already have joined the ‘digital revolution’ in home security. If you fail to do the same, you could be left behind by your competition. Potential renters might see your properties as outdated, as they lack current best-in-class security.

Also, there is the usability factor: using a gate lock with code-controlled access is far safer than using plain old keys. Let’s take a look at some of the clear benefits that come from changing to using combo locks for gates as opposed to sticking with basic gate locks like bolts or keys.

The Benefits of Combo Locks for Gates in Rental Properties

There are several benefits that Lock & Key mentioned to us when discussing the features that a gate lock with code access provides. Some of the main benefits you should take into account include:

No More Key Handovers

The first benefit is that when a tenant moves out, you no longer have to ask them to return the keys. Fit your doors – including your gates – with combination locks, and you only need to remove their old access code. Create a new, unique code for your new tenant, and the old tenancy is over. No more chasing up previous tenants to get keys back, and no more stressing over keys going missing.

Key handovers are one of the most gruelling parts of the landlord-tenant agreement. If you have ever dealt with the protracted key handover process, you will know how time-consuming and tedious it can be – especially if the tenant loses/damages the keys and will not admit fault. With combo locks for gates, it’s a much easier process to deal with.

Reduced Risk of Lockouts

If someone gets locked out of your rental property due to losing their keys, disaster ensues. You now need to call a locksmith and have them rekey the lock to disable the old keys. They also need to fit new locks and cut new keys, all of which becomes a rising expense for you and the tenant to deal with. It’s not nice, and it’s also time you need to spend dealing with a problem that could have been avoided. A gate lock with code access, though, is much easier to resolve.

Easy Code Resets

Why is it easier to resolve? Because you can wipe the access code from the database in seconds. You do not need a locksmith to do this: you just need to learn how to use the access control panel for your new combination locks. This can be managed locally at the access panel, or it can be managed remotely using a digital security app – every lock system is different.

However, resetting a code and entering a new access code into the database takes you a minute or two. Waiting for a locksmith to arrive and replace the locks and keys? That can take at least an hour or two. Replacing a code is free, too, while replacing a lock and key can become quite an expense.

Simpler, Safer Access

All of this combines to make access easier for the tenant and harder for criminals. That is the best of both worlds approach, right?

Access is much easier to manage when you are dealing with a simple code. No more fumbling around to find gate keys, and no more worries about someone simply leaning over the gate and undoing the latch/bolt and waltzing into the garden. Your resident tenant will feel much safer, and you can feel much more confident that your rental property is suitably secure.

Lower Insurance Premiums

Finally, while not always the case, sometimes insurance providers will offer a small drop in your costs due to your proactivity. The more you can do to secure your property, the less likely a break-in will become. As such, you might see a small but noticeable improvement in the cost of your next home insurance quote. Don’t expect miracles, but every little helps!

Make Life More Convenient for You & Your Tenants

We hope that this has opened your eyes to the benefits of turning to combo locks for gates instead of relying on old-school lock mechanisms like bolts or keys.

The simple fact is that the above benefits make your life as a landlord easier and make life easier for your tenants. Everyone benefits; access is easier, but also more secure at the same time. Problems are easier to resolve, and criminals are far less likely to succeed in trying to break into your home.

Does that not sound like the ideal alternative to a 3AM emergency locksmith callout when your tenant loses their keys? It’s time to upgrade and make your rental properties safer, easier to access for the resident(s), and also more likely to appeal to your tenants for the long term.