How to Avoid a Messy Key Situation

 Are you struggling to sort out a messy key situation? Whether it’s a master key system that’s racking up locksmith costs, a pegboard and logbook you can’t reconcile, an electronic key control system that doesn’t come with the training and support you need, or a smart lock system that’s more time-consuming to manage than you anticipated, managing access to residents’ homes can feel daunting.
How to Regain Control of Your Keys
If you want to improve key security at your property, start with these essential steps:

Steer Away From Master Keys — Avoid using master keys as much as possible, especially for routine tasks such as showing units and performing repairs (I’ll talk about this more below). If you continue using master keys for emergencies, lock them up securely and restrict access to authorized personnel. These guidelines also apply to smart lock tokens that function like master keys.
Keep Accurate Records— Key activity reports don’t just help you cut down on lost keys. They can also help you look into allegations about improper key use or even litigation. Every time someone removes or returns a key, record their name, the date and time, who removed the key, and the reason for using it.
Minimize Manual Steps — If people have to complete manual steps such as updating a logbook when removing a key, it’s more likely to be inaccurate due to human error.
Control Key Access — Store keys securely in a locked key control system to restrict access to authorized employees.

So how do yo……