Review: August Smart Lock for Rentals and Airbnb

As a landlord and real estate investor who manages both long term rentals and short term Airbnb properties, I am always looking for technology solutions that make property management more efficient. Smart locks have become an increasingly popular tool in the rental industry, and the August Smart Lock is one of the most well known products on the market. After using August locks across several of my properties, I want to share my honest assessment of their strengths and weaknesses for rental property applications.

What Is the August Smart Lock?

The August Smart Lock is a retrofit smart lock system that replaces the interior portion of your existing deadbolt while keeping the exterior hardware intact. This means your door looks completely unchanged from the outside, which is a significant advantage for rental properties where you want to maintain a residential appearance.

The lock connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and can also be connected to your home Wi-Fi network with the addition of the August Connect bridge. It can be controlled remotely through the August app, which allows you to lock and unlock the door, create temporary access codes, and monitor who enters and exits the property.

What I Like About the August Smart Lock

The ability to grant and revoke access remotely is the single biggest advantage for rental property applications. For Airbnb properties, I can create a unique access code for each guest that automatically activates at check-in time and deactivates at checkout. This completely eliminates the need for key handoffs or lockboxes, both of which I consider to be less secure and less professional.

For long term rentals, the remote management capability is equally valuable. When a tenant moves out, I can immediately revoke their access and create a new code for the incoming tenant or for contractors who need access to prepare the unit. There is no need to rekey the lock, no keys to track, and no risk of unauthorized copies floating around.

The installation process is genuinely straightforward. Because it retrofits onto your existing deadbolt, there is no need to drill new holes or modify the door. I have installed several of these units myself and each one took less than thirty minutes. This is important when you are managing multiple properties and want to keep installation costs low.

The activity log feature is also valuable for property management. The app records every time the lock is operated, which gives you a clear record of who accessed the property and when. This can be useful for resolving disputes, verifying contractor visits, and maintaining security oversight.

What Could Be Better

Battery life is the most significant drawback. The August Smart Lock runs on standard batteries, and in my experience they need to be replaced every three to six months depending on usage frequency. For properties that you manage remotely, keeping on top of battery replacements requires either proactive scheduling or relying on the app’s low battery notifications.

The Bluetooth connection range is limited, which means the lock can sometimes be slow to respond when you are trying to operate it from your phone while standing at the door. The Wi-Fi bridge helps with remote access, but the initial Bluetooth connection between the lock and your phone can be finicky, especially in cold weather.

The reliance on an internet connection for remote access is a potential vulnerability. If the Wi-Fi goes down or the bridge loses power, you lose remote access. The lock still functions manually with a physical key or Bluetooth at close range, but the convenience of remote management is temporarily lost.

The price point is higher than a standard deadbolt, and when you multiply that across multiple properties it adds up. However, I consider this to be an investment that pays for itself through the savings on rekeying costs and the operational efficiency gains.

Is It Worth It for Rental Properties?

For Airbnb and short term rental properties, I consider a smart lock to be practically essential. The convenience of automated check-in and checkout, combined with the security of unique temporary access codes, is transformative for the guest experience and for your operational efficiency.

For long term rentals, the case is slightly less compelling but still strong in my opinion. The ability to manage access remotely, eliminate key management headaches, and maintain an activity log provides real operational value. The ongoing battery replacement is a minor nuisance but is easily managed with a simple reminder system.

Overall, I recommend the August Smart Lock for most rental property applications. It is not a perfect product, but it has proven to be a reliable and valuable tool in my property management toolkit. The time and hassle it saves on key management alone makes it worth the investment in my experience.

Tips for Implementing Smart Locks in Your Rental Properties

Always keep a physical key as a backup. Technology can fail, batteries can die unexpectedly, and you should never be in a situation where neither you nor your tenant can access the property.

Set up a regular battery replacement schedule rather than waiting for low battery alerts. I replace batteries in all of my smart locks every four months, regardless of the current battery level. The cost of fresh batteries is trivial compared to the hassle of a dead lock at an inconvenient time.

Include clear instructions for the lock in your tenant welcome package or Airbnb listing. Not all tenants are comfortable with technology, and providing simple written instructions can prevent a lot of confusion and unnecessary support calls.

Consider your local climate. Smart locks can be affected by extreme temperatures. In very cold Canadian winters, the battery life may be reduced and the mechanical components can become stiff. Make sure the lock you choose is rated for your climate.