When choosing a keyless entry door lock for rental use, there must be a balance between security function and user friendliness. The Schlage Encode Smart WiFi lock led the way with ANSI Grade 1 certification (top security rating). Its lock tongue, which is resistant to horizontal force, can withstand 1,500 pounds (300 pounds for standard locks) of horizontal force, and its hardened steel anti-drilling cover has passed the test under the UL 437 standard. The destruction time averaged 15 minutes (industry average was 7 minutes). Chicago apartment testing in 2023 indicated this lock failed only 0.2 times yearly in -30℃ to 70℃ temperatures, 94% less often than standard smart locks (3.1 times yearly), and the password reset cost per tenant change was only $0.3 (standard key changes range from $25 to $80).
Dynamic encryption technology forms the security core. August Smart Lock Pro accepts 128-bit AES encryption and two-way authentication protocol. The possibility of blocking Replay attacks is decreased from 12% in traditional RFID locks to 0.03%. Its Bluetooth +WiFi dual-mode provides a lock-picking response time of 0.8 seconds (2.5 seconds average for single-mode locks). The success rate of lock-picking in the signal interference test in Brooklyn, New York’s high-density housing area was also 99.7% (89% for competition), respectively. Statistics from tenant surveys show that illegal break-in incidents in apartments with this system have decreased by 63%, and insurance premiums have been reduced by $420, on average, per year.
Operating cost is dependent on permission management efficiency. Kwikset Halo Touch contains 250 sets of standalone user codes + 30-day temporary password. The property manager can change tenant permissions in 12 seconds through the APP (45 minutes for mechanical lock replacement). Its audit trail function logs every opening time of each lock to 0.1 seconds. A 2024 case of a Seattle property management company showed that this position enhanced lease dispute resolution efficiency by 72% and brought vacancy time down to 5.3 days (11 days of industry average). The management fee per property per annum is cut by $580 on average in comparison to mechanical locks.
Battery life and maintenance cost affect long-term value. The Yale Assure Lock SL features 4 AA batteries that have a 14-month battery life (10 daily unlocking occurrences), and the low battery warning is conveyed 30 days in advance, 67% less often than for the Z-Wave lock (8-month battery life). Its IP54 water-resistance rating was put to the test during hurricane season and demonstrated just 0.7 times a quarter false triggering under heavy rain (8.2 times for locks not waterproofed). According to the statistics in the “White Paper on Property Management Technology”, the frequency of apartment maintenance requests with this lock has been reduced from 2.3 times a year to 0.4 times a year, and the life of the equipment has been extended to 7 years (3 years for mechanical locks).
Installation flexibility and legal compliance cannot be ignored. The Ultraloq U-Bolt Pro Wifi accommodates 90% of North American standard door thicknesses (1-3/8 inches to 2-1/4 inches), with 8-minute average time to install (25 minutes for mechanical locks), and is ADA accessibility compliant (adjustable height from floor of 34-48 inches). As of 2023, new California law requires that locks that are being used on rental property must have Bump Proof technology. This lock was subjected to LPL (Locksmith Protection Level) Level 3 test and has reduced the percentage of bump proof unlocking attempts from 78% for regular locks to 0.9%. Since its adoption by a single property management company in Dallas, the number of insurance claims was reduced by 41% and the average cost of operations per year saved $23,000.