Best Smart Lock for Rental Properties (2026): How to Choose
A keypad or smart lock lets you change access between tenants without re-keying, and gives contractors a code instead of a key. The right type depends on how far you live from the unit, what the lease and local rules allow, and the door itself.
Last updated · How we picked
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Rules on changing locks, re-keying between tenants and giving notice before entry vary by state and city. Check local landlord-tenant law and the lease before installing a lock on an occupied unit, and always give the tenant their own code.
Quick picks by situation
Best for most long-term rentals
Keypad smart locks
- Who it's for:
- Landlords who visit the unit at turnover and want to set a new tenant code without calling a locksmith.
- Why:
- A keypad deadbolt works without an app or Wi-Fi at the property, so there is less to set up and less to fail.
- Skip if:
- You manage units far away and need to change codes remotely; look at a Wi-Fi model instead.
- What to check:
- Door thickness and backset, whether it takes standard batteries, and that it keeps a physical key override.
Best for remote landlords
Wi-Fi smart deadbolts
- Who it's for:
- Owners managing units in another city, or several doors, who want to add and remove codes from a phone.
- Why:
- Built-in Wi-Fi means codes for tenants, cleaners and contractors can be issued and revoked without a visit.
- Skip if:
- The unit has no reliable Wi-Fi you control, or the tenant does not want a connected lock.
- What to check:
- Wi-Fi band (many need 2.4 GHz), who owns the app account, and what happens to access if the internet drops.
Best when the outside can't change
Retrofit smart locks
- Who it's for:
- Condo and HOA owners, or anyone whose rules restrict changing exterior hardware.
- Why:
- It replaces only the inside thumb-turn, so the exterior and existing keys stay the same.
- Skip if:
- You want to stop old keys from working; a retrofit lock keeps the existing cylinder.
- What to check:
- That your deadbolt brand and model are on the lock's compatibility list, and HOA or building rules.
Best for owner closets and shared rooms
Keypad lever locks
- Who it's for:
- Landlords who keep supplies on site, or manage a shared laundry room or office.
- Why:
- A keypad lever lets you share a code with staff for an interior or secondary door.
- Skip if:
- It is the main entry door; use a deadbolt there.
- What to check:
- Handing (left or right), door thickness and whether the door needs a privacy or passage function.
Best low-tech backup
Wall-mount key lockboxes
- Who it's for:
- Anyone who wants a spare physical key on site for emergencies or a dead lock battery.
- Why:
- A combination box needs no power or app and gives you a fallback if the smart lock fails.
- Skip if:
- Local rules or the lease don't allow keys stored on the exterior of the property.
- What to check:
- Mounting surface, whether the combination is resettable, and where it can be fixed out of plain view.
How to choose
Keypad, Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
Keypad-only locks are set at the door. Wi-Fi locks connect to your router and can be managed from anywhere. Bluetooth locks work from a phone nearby and usually need a separate bridge for remote access. The further you live from the unit, the more remote management matters.
Door fit
Measure door thickness and backset (the distance from the door edge to the center of the hole), and check the bore size. Most deadbolt-style smart locks list the range they fit; old or thick doors may need an adapter.
Code management
Look for separate codes per person, scheduled codes for contractors and an access log. Plan who owns the app account and how you hand access over if you sell the property.
Power and backup
Check the battery type, how the lock warns of low battery, and whether it has a key override or a terminal for an emergency battery. Keep a backup way in.
Tenant privacy
An access log shows when codes are used. Tell tenants what the lock records, give them their own code, and do not use logs to monitor their comings and goings.
FAQ
Do I still need to re-key between tenants?
With a keypad lock you can delete the old code and set a new one. If the lock also takes a key, the key cylinder still matches the old keys, so collect them or re-key the cylinder. Check whether your state or city has specific rules.
Can a tenant install their own smart lock?
That depends on the lease and local law. Many leases require the landlord's written permission and a copy of the key or code.
Wi-Fi or keypad-only for a single-family rental?
If you live nearby and only change codes at turnover, a keypad-only lock is simpler. If you need to let contractors in remotely, Wi-Fi saves trips.
How we picked
- We grouped smart locks by the situations landlords tell us about: turnovers, remote units, HOA rules and backup access.
- Links open Amazon searches by spec, not a single listing, so you compare current options, prices and reviews yourself.
- We have not tested these products hands-on for this guide, and we make no claims about how any listing performs.
- We left out anything designed to monitor tenants.
Last updated .