We finally discovered how residents were getting into our supply closet at one of our rental properties.
To clarify, when I say a supply closet in our rental property, this is a storage area where our handyman keeps tools, paint, supplies he needs for routine maintenance. The storage area is secured with a keyed deadbolt, and only I and the handyman supposedly have the code. We’ve never shared it with anyone, not even our cleaner or any other maintenance personnel, because they don’t need access to it.
On occasion, our handyman would go to do a job, and discover tools or supplies were missing. We changed our code several times (thinking a resident just guessed the code) but despite these measures, we’ve encountered issues with things keep going missing.
We have sent messages and letters letting our residents know and remind them that the supply closet is off-limits, still items kept going missing. Was the door consistently and accidentally left open? Did the handyman forget to press the button to lock the deadbolt? Did the handyman wait to ensure the dead bolt didn’t have any issue actually completing the motorized locking mechanism? Everything seemed fine, so we were left puzzled.
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As we enter our fourth year on this property and while making repairs recently, our handyman suggested we reprogram the lock. As I reviewed the instructions, I noticed a section mentioning a DEFAULT CODE, 1234.
I was sure I had deleted this code when we set up the lock, but just to be safe, I decided to test it.
To my surprise, the door opened right up.
If you’re managing a rental property, especially if you’re using electronic locks like a Kwikset or any numeric keypad door lock, make sure to delete or change any factory default codes. Apparently, these codes are well-known, and some people will use them to access areas that should be off-limits.
So, take this tip from a fellow rental property owner: check those locks and make sure you’re not leaving the door open—literally—for residents to access your supply closets. It’s a simple fix that can save you a lot of headaches in the long run. Whether you’re implementing the BRRRR method or managing your current properties, this small step will help you keep your rental property secure and your investments protected.
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