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Every time a tenant moves out, you change the locks. Every time someone loses a key, you pay a locksmith. Every time a contractor needs access, you drive across town. A smart lock eliminates all three problems — and pays for itself faster than you think. Here's exactly how to install one.

Why Property Managers Are Switching to Smart Locks

Traditional keyed deadbolts were designed for a world where one family lived in one home for decades. Rental properties don't work that way. Tenants turn over. Keys get copied. Contractors need one-time access. Maintenance happens when you're not on-site.

Smart locks solve every one of these problems:

• No more rekeying between tenants — delete the old access code and create a new one in seconds
• No more key handoffs — send a tenant their code before they even pick up the keys
• No more lockouts — unlock remotely from your phone when a tenant is locked out at 10pm
• No more contractor coordination — issue a time-limited code that expires automatically after the job is done
• Full access logs — know exactly who entered and when, without installing a camera

For a property manager running even two or three units, the time savings alone justify the cost. Let's get one installed.

Before You Buy: Compatibility Checklist

The most common installation mistake is buying a smart lock without checking the door first. Run through this checklist before you order.

Door Thickness

Measure the thickness of the door slab itself (not the frame). Standard residential doors are 1-3/8" to 1-3/4" thick. Most smart locks cover this range. Thicker doors — common in older buildings or commercial-grade units — may require an extension kit. Check the product specs before purchasing.

Backset

The backset is the distance from the edge of the door to the center of the borehole (the large hole the lock body sits in). Standard backsets are 2-3/8" or 2-3/4". Most smart locks are adjustable between both. Measure yours with a tape measure — it takes 10 seconds.

Borehole Diameter

The standard borehole diameter is 2-1/8". If you're replacing an existing deadbolt, this is almost certainly already correct. If the door has never had a deadbolt, you may need to drill — or hire a locksmith to do it cleanly.

Door Handing and Material

Most smart locks are non-handed (they install on left- or right-hand doors without modification). Door material matters for security rating: solid wood, fiberglass, and steel doors are all compatible. Hollow-core doors are not recommended for any security-grade lock.

Pro tip for property managers: If you're standardizing across multiple units, choose one smart lock model and buy in quantity. You'll get consistent installation, one app to manage everything, and simplified battery replacement across your portfolio.

Choosing the Right Smart Lock for a Rental Property

Not all smart locks are built for rental use. Here's what matters most for property managers:

Feature	Why It Matters for Rentals
Multiple access codes	Assign unique codes to each tenant, cleaner, and contractor
Time-limited / scheduled codes	Grant access only during specific hours or date ranges — perfect for contractors
Remote lock/unlock	Handle lockouts without driving to the property (requires Wi-Fi or hub)
Access logs	See who entered and when — useful for disputes and maintenance verification
Auto-lock	Door locks itself after a set time — eliminates "I forgot to lock up" calls
Physical key backup	Essential for emergencies and code failures
Low battery alerts	Get notified before the lock dies, not after a tenant is locked out

Pro tip: For remote access, you need a Wi-Fi-enabled lock or a Bluetooth lock paired with a smart home hub. Bluetooth-only locks require your phone to be within range of the door — not useful when you're managing a property across town.

What You'll Need for Installation

• Phillips head screwdriver
• Tape measure
• Fresh AA or 9V batteries (check your lock's requirements — always install new)
• Your smartphone (for app pairing)
• The manufacturer's instruction sheet

That's it. No electrician, no special tools, no drilling in most cases. The average installation takes 15–30 minutes for someone doing it for the first time.

How to Install a Smart Lock: Step-by-Step

Step 1: Remove the Existing Deadbolt

Using a Phillips screwdriver, remove the two screws on the interior escutcheon (the plate on the inside of the door). Pull both sides of the existing deadbolt apart and slide the bolt mechanism out from the edge of the door. Set aside or discard.

Step 2: Install the New Bolt Mechanism

Slide the new deadbolt mechanism into the edge of the door. Confirm the bolt extends and retracts smoothly before fastening. Secure with the provided screws — snug, not overtightened.

Step 3: Mount the Exterior Assembly

Feed the connecting cable or tailpiece through the borehole from the outside. Align the exterior keypad or handle with the borehole and press flush against the door. Hold in place while you move to the interior side.

Step 4: Attach the Interior Assembly

Connect the cable or tailpiece to the interior motor unit. Align the interior assembly with the mounting holes and hand-tighten the screws. Before fully tightening, test the thumb turn — the bolt should throw and retract cleanly. Adjust alignment if needed, then secure fully.

Step 5: Install Batteries

Insert fresh batteries as directed by the manufacturer. The lock will power on and typically run a self-test. Listen for a confirmation beep or watch for the LED indicator to confirm it's live.

Step 6: Test the Mechanical Function

Before opening the app, verify the physical installation:

• Does the bolt extend and retract smoothly with the thumb turn?
• Does the bolt seat cleanly in the strike plate when the door is closed?
• Does the door close and latch without resistance?

If the bolt drags or doesn't seat fully, adjust the strike plate position before proceeding. A misaligned strike plate will cause auto-lock failures and premature motor wear.

Pro tip: Test with the door open first, then closed. A bolt that works perfectly with the door open can still bind against a misaligned strike plate when closed.

Step 7: Pair the Lock to the App

Download the manufacturer's app and follow the pairing instructions. The process typically takes under 5 minutes:

1. Create an account or log in
2. Select "Add a device" or "Add a lock"
3. Put the lock in pairing mode (usually a button press on the interior assembly)
4. Complete Bluetooth or Wi-Fi pairing
5. Name the lock (use the unit address for easy identification across your portfolio)

Step 8: Set Up Tenant and Contractor Access Codes

This is where smart locks pay off for property managers. In the app:

• Create a unique code for each tenant — never reuse codes between tenants
• Set scheduled codes for contractors — valid only during the service window, automatically expiring when the job is done
• Enable access notifications — get a push notification every time a code is used
• Enable auto-lock — set the door to lock automatically after 30–60 seconds
• Save your admin PIN somewhere secure — this is your master override

Turnover Day: How Smart Locks Change the Process

When a tenant moves out, the old workflow was: collect keys, call a locksmith, wait, pay, repeat. With a smart lock, turnover looks like this:

1. Delete the outgoing tenant's access code in the app — takes 10 seconds
2. Create a new code for the incoming tenant
3. Send them the code via text or email before move-in day
4. Done

No locksmith. No key handoff. No driving to the property. No cost beyond the original lock purchase.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• 🚫 Skipping the compatibility check: Measure door thickness and backset before ordering. A lock that doesn't fit is a return, not an upgrade.
• 🚫 Using old batteries: Smart locks draw more power than traditional locks. Start with fresh batteries and set a calendar reminder to replace them every 6–12 months.
• 🚫 Reusing access codes between tenants: Always delete old codes and create new ones. Never assume a former tenant's code has expired.
• 🚫 Choosing Bluetooth-only for remote management: If you need to unlock a door from across town, you need Wi-Fi connectivity or a hub. Bluetooth-only locks require physical proximity.
• 🚫 No backup entry method: Confirm there's a physical key override or a secondary access method before the tenant moves in. Lockouts happen.

Shop Smart Locks for Rental Properties at Park Avenue Locks

At Park Avenue Locks, we stock smart locks built for the demands of rental and multi-unit property management — keypad deadbolts, Wi-Fi-enabled locks, and access control systems that scale from a single unit to an entire portfolio.

Managing multiple properties? Our team can help you identify the right lock model to standardize across your units, simplify installation, and reduce long-term maintenance costs. Contact us and we'll spec it out for you.

Browse our smart lock collection and start eliminating rekeying costs today.