Choosing smart door locks for homestays and rental units
This is an English translation of the Vietnamese original, provided for reference only; the Vietnamese version prevails. It is general information, not legal advice, and NEXT HOME makes no commitment as to its legal accuracy. Where a rule or contract term matters, consult a qualified lawyer in Vietnam. Read the Vietnamese original
Summary
For rental units, what matters is not a good-looking lock or fingerprint opening, but the ability to issue and revoke time-limited codes remotely, keep an access log, report battery level, and connect to your operations software.
A lock for a home and a lock for a rental unit differ in one respect: a home has a few regular users, while a rental unit has a new user every few days. So the selection criteria differ too.
1. Codes with a time window
A code must have a start time and an end time that match the stay. With a lock that only supports fixed codes, the code has to be changed by hand at every guest change, which is easy to forget.
2. Remote issue and revocation
You need to issue new codes and revoke old ones without going to the door. For that the lock needs a connection, usually through a Wi-Fi gateway placed near the door or a lock with built-in Wi-Fi.
3. Offline codes when the network is down
An internet outage must not leave a guest standing outside. Many brands offer offline codes generated by an algorithm that work when the lock has lost its connection. Be aware that these codes usually cannot be revoked before they expire, so use them as backup codes, not as the main code.
4. Separate codes for staff and technicians
Cleaners and repair technicians should have their own time-limited codes, so the access log shows who entered and when, instead of sharing the guest’s code.
5. Access log
Every opening should record how the door was opened (code, card, app, mechanical key), which code was used, and when. This is evidence in a dispute and the data for detecting people staying outside a booking.
6. Battery reporting
A lock with a dead battery is the most frustrating incident for a guest. The lock should report its battery level to the system so it can be replaced before it runs out.
7. Remote opening
When a guest has a problem, the remote front desk must be able to open the door remotely, and that opening must be logged.
8. Connection to operations software
This is the criterion most often overlooked. If the lock only works through the brand’s own app, the front desk has to create a code by hand for every stay. A lock with an open platform (API) lets the operations software generate codes automatically from the booking calendar.
How TingStay works with locks
TingStay grants access to a stay rather than tying it to one lock brand. In the first phase TingStay integrates TTLock locks through the brand’s platform, under an authorization from the operator; other brands and locks connected directly to the TingEdge will be added. If you change lock brand, your operating workflow and reports stay the same.
Frequently asked questions
Are fingerprint locks suitable for rental units?
Fingerprints are convenient for long-term residents. When guests change every few days, it matters more that codes have an expiry, can be issued and revoked remotely, and that the lock keeps an access log and reports its battery.
Can guests still open the door if the internet is down?
With locks that store PIN codes on the lock itself, guests can still open the door with the code already issued. Issuing a new code or revoking one requires a connection.
Which lock brands does TingStay work with?
In the first phase TingStay integrates TTLock locks. Other brands will be added later.
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