Hybrid locks are honestly the only thing that’s kept my sanity intact with rentals. Here’s what I’ve run into:
- Tried full keyless on a duplex last year. First tenant loved it, second one managed to drain the batteries in three months and never mentioned the low-battery warning. Cue a 10pm call about being locked out.
- Physical key backup saved me more than once. Not just for battery fails—sometimes the app glitches or someone’s phone dies right when they need in.
- Maintenance folks seem to prefer keys too. Less hassle than downloading yet another app or waiting for me to unlock remotely.
I get the appeal of going fully digital, but in practice, there’s always something—WiFi hiccups, batteries, or just user error. Hybrid isn’t as slick, but it’s a lot less stressful when you’re juggling multiple units. Maybe not perfect, but it’s the best compromise I’ve found so far.
I hear you on the hybrid lock front. I tried going fully keyless in my own place, thinking it’d be all futuristic and hassle-free. Turns out, my dad (who visits often) just couldn’t get the hang of the app, and I got tired of tech support calls from my own family. The physical key backup is a lifesaver—especially when someone inevitably forgets their phone or the WiFi decides to take a nap. It’s not as “smart” as I’d hoped, but honestly, less drama is worth it.
The physical key backup is a lifesaver—especially when someone inevitably forgets their phone or the WiFi decides to take a nap.
Honestly, I get the appeal of a hybrid, but I think we’re underestimating how intuitive some of the newer keyless systems have become. My parents struggled at first, too, but after a few weeks, muscle memory kicked in. Plus, with things like fingerprint or keypad entry, you don’t have to worry about phones or WiFi at all. I’d argue the real drama is in juggling keys and tech together—sometimes a clean break is less confusing in the long run.
