By Justin Hermann
Co-Founder and Technology Consultant at smartIT
Running a short-term rental comes with a lot of moving parts. Cleanings, check-ins, communication, maintenance—it all matters. But there is one simple task many hosts overlook, and it can carry serious consequences: changing the door code after each stay.
If you use a smart lock and do not reset the PIN between guests, you are not just trusting the last person who stayed. You are also trusting anyone they may have shared that code with, intentionally or not.
What Happens When You Reuse PINs
Reusing door codes might save a few minutes, but it puts your property and your reputation at risk. Here is what can go wrong:
- Unauthorized re-entry: A previous guest could come back uninvited, or pass the code along to someone else.
- Package theft: A code is all it takes to access deliveries or belongings left behind by new guests.
- Occupied unit entry: Imagine a guest arriving and walking in on someone else. This creates an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous situation.
- Legal and liability issues: If something goes wrong and you did not update the code, you may be held responsible.
- Bad reviews: Even one breach of privacy or safety can lead to negative ratings that are hard to recover from.
Good Security Is Good Hospitality
Guests choose short-term rentals for comfort, privacy, and ease. Security plays a big role in that experience. A smart lock is a great tool, but only if it is used correctly.
Here is how to stay in control:
- Change the code after every stay
- Use a smart lock that supports automatic code rotation
- Connect your lock to your booking platform so codes are created and deactivated automatically
- Set clear expectations with guests about when and how they will receive their access codes
These steps not only protect your property, they also show professionalism and care. Guests appreciate knowing you take their safety seriously.
Final Thought
A reused PIN might not cause problems every time—but it only takes one incident to damage your reputation and lose future bookings. Changing codes is simple. Fixing trust is not.
A small change in your routine can make a big difference in guest satisfaction, property security, and peace of mind.
Secure Your Rental with Confidence
If you are still manually managing door codes or reusing the same PIN, it is time to upgrade your approach. Physical security is just as important as online security!
