Airbnb to make hosting guests easier and more secure with Yale smart locks

Designed to make the experience easier and more secure for hosts – and guests – alike, Airbnb and Yale have announced a collaboration which makes the most of the latest in smart home security.

Having launched in the US already, the pair have announced an extension into the UK and beyond. But how will all work? And how secure is it really? We share everything you need to know about the Yale's collaboration with Airbnb.

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So, how do Yale make the process of hosting Airbnb guests easier? Well, the motivator behind the collaboration is the hassle that's often involved when exchanging keys between guest and host.

In fact, such is the hassle, that, in a recent survey, 70 per cent of landlords said that they are more likely to invest in a smart door lock if it made it easier to handle keys when renting out their property. Which is exactly what this collaboration aims to do.

Having announced the new Yale access app and module at IFA 2019 – which will be available in the UK in the next few months – it's now easier than ever to transform a traditional lock system into one with smart capabilities. This opens up a whole host of possibilities, including potential integration with Airbnb.

Not super tech savvy? This basically means that, having had the module fitted and connected with an app on your iPhone, it will now be possible to generate a personal entry code that Airbnb guests can use to access your home while they stay. Then, when they leave, this code will become void. This makes it impossible for Airbnb guests to forget to return keys, as well as reducing the risks of (slightly more unsavoury) guests copying keys and returning to your home at a later date. Pretty smart, right?

Speaking about the collaboration, Nigel Fisher, Managing Director for Yale, says, 'The "home away from home" market has grown rapidly over the last 10 years thanks to the likes of Airbnb and other booking agents, with this has come the need for landlords to evaluate their security and how guests can gain access to their property in the most convenient way. Smart locks, like our Yale Conexis® and Keyless locks, have emerged as a great solution for mitigating against the worry of lockouts, loss of keys and who else might have a key cut to the door.

'Plus, the guest experience is enhanced with no delays upon arrival and peace of mind that their access code is unique to their stay. For the landlord, costs are driven down on management fees and precious time saved not having to be present at the front door to issue and collect keys.'

Feedback in the US has been overwhelmingly positive, so far. So, we're excited to see how the technology transforms the Airbnb experience here in the UK.

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