In 2007, two university grads thought of a simple way to make a few extra bucks. A large conference was passing through their hometown of San Francisco and hotels were booking up fast. They laid three air mattresses on the floor of their apartment and created a simple website for conference delegates looking to avoid extortionate hotel prices. The website’s name? ‘Air Bed & Breakfast’.
Fast forward ten years and Airbnb has reshaped the hospitality industry. Now millions around the world are transforming their homes into successful business ventures.
While these are exciting, and potentially lucrative times, many potential hosts have reservations about the security implications of letting their property out.
Where are my keys?
Keys are an annoyance at the best of times. The average person spends around 60 hours each year looking for their keys. We forget them, we lose them, we leave them in the door. So, entrusting your property keys to a stranger is a big ask.
There are also logistical issues with the check-in process. When you stay at a hotel, you make your reservation, you show up at the desk with some ID and a credit card and you are given a key to your room. Whether it’s a cheap motel or a five-star resort, the check-in process is pretty much always the same and is universally understood. But the same can’t be said for Airbnbs.
‘How do I get the keys?’ is probably one of the most common questions asked by customers looking to rent a property. Handing over keys can be a real hassle, often resulting in inconveniently timed meetings for both parties.
Introducing NetCode
NetCode compatible locks from Codelocks are the perfect solution for self-let properties. The range of innovative keyless locks allow property owners to remotely generate codes for a specific date, time and duration. This means that once a guest checks out, their code expires and can no longer be used to gain access to the property.
Codes can be sent remotely via email or SMS, removing bothersome visits to the property in order to hand over the keys. These codes are generated using the NetCode Portal or mobile app, available on both iOS and Android, making ‘handing over the keys’ a thing of the past.
Many Airbnb hosts reside at their property and rent it out only when they’re away or simply let out a room. For homeowners concerned about their personal possessions, there are a wide range of locks specifically designed to secure lockers and cabinets. Personal possessions can be locked away, and accessed by friends and family with no need for multiple keys.
There are many uses for this technology. For example, a holiday property may have a swimming pool or sauna. By installing a Netcode compatible lock, property owners can generate additional revenue by charging for access to these facilities. Once a payment has been made, a code can be sent to the guest, granting access for a specified amount of time.
Airbnb has created an entirely new industry. In 57,000 cities around the world, over 650,000 homeowners just like you are supplementing their income by renting out unused space. By installing Codelocks technology, you can fully automate your check in process, and rest easy knowing that your property is safe and secure.