Holiday Rental: 7 Ways to Hand Over Keys to Your Guest

One of the biggest complications we must face in holiday rentals is key handover, because we are not always available to give the keys to the property to our tenant when they arrive. Fortunately, we have different alternatives at our disposal to get them to them.

How to hand over keys to your guest

Rely on a neighbour's help

This is one of the most traditional techniques. If we have a trusted neighbour living in the building, we can agree with them to carry out the handover and present the key handover document for signature. The downside of this system is that we depend on another person, and if the flat receives many tenants, the neighbour may eventually tire of assuming this responsibility.

The lockbox

If we want to leave the key in the property, but only accessible to the tenant, we can use the lockbox system. This is a lock that operates as a safe and can be left on the door itself or fixed to the wall. Each time a tenant arrives, you have to send them the lock code so they can open it and access the keys. It is a simple and practical system but not as secure as other alternatives, and it has the disadvantage that you do not obtain any proof of key handover, so you cannot prove that your tenant has received them.

Locker system

These are lockers similar to those used by parcel delivery companies. They are in public access locations and the tenant can open the locker by entering the code they received on their mobile phone. The disadvantage is that this is a service offered by private companies and has an additional cost that must be taken into account.

Key holding service

In this modality, you register as a holiday apartment manager in the application, and you are informed at all times where you can leave your keys for them to store and hand over to the tenant upon arrival.

Electronic locks

This is one of the most widely used options for key handover in tourist apartments. The most recommended ones are those that work with a mobile phone. Although the installation of the lock has a cost, it is such a practical system that it quickly pays for itself by not having to depend on a third party to hand over the keys. Take a look at the Raixer smart lock that allows you to open doors remotely with and even without a mobile phone. In addition, you can contract the remote check-in service for your guests to register telematically.

Collaborate with a greeter

Greeters are responsible for welcoming tourists to the city and informing them about what they can visit and do. A good way to become a prestigious host is to give guests a good welcome, something you can achieve with a greeter who also handles key handover.

Auxiliary service companies

If you have a company that helps you manage your tourist apartments, it is possible that they have a key handover service and even a service for signing proof of money or key delivery, either by one of their employees travelling to the flat to receive the tenants or by receiving them at their office. There are many different ways to hand over keys in a holiday rental, but the most convenient and most recommended is to rely on new technologies. This guarantees you provide the best possible service to your guests.

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