It's 10:40 on a Friday night. Your phone lights up. Your guest is on the porch with two tired kids and a suitcase, and the code you sent doesn't work. You changed it last week. Or you meant to. You're 40 minutes away, in your pajamas, scrolling back through messages to work out which code is on the door right now.
Most hosts have a night like this. It isn't a disaster. It's just the kind of small thing that makes you feel you can never fully switch off.
Smart lock automation is about that feeling. Each stay gets its own guest code, set up for that stay. You don't have to remember. You don't have to drive. You can put the phone down on a Friday night and trust the door will open for the right person.
Why it matters
For your guests. Arriving at a home you've never seen, often late, after a long day of travel, is stressful. A code that works the first time is the start of a good stay. There's no meeting someone at a set time and no hunting for a lockbox in the dark. Guests notice a smooth check-in. Smooth stays tend to lead to better reviews, although nothing can promise that.
For you. When every guest gets their own code, you're not handing out one code that lasts for months and gets shared further than you'd like. You're not keeping track of physical keys either. And you stop doing the small, easy-to-forget job of changing codes by hand between stays.
How it can save you money
Here is a worked example. Every number is an assumption. Change them to fit your home.
| What it costs you now | Assumption | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Your time changing codes by hand | 6 stays a month, 10 minutes each, your time valued at $30 an hour | $360 |
| One night a guest gets stuck at the door | Once a year, you give a $75 goodwill refund | $75 |
| Total without automation | $435 | |
| Smart lock automation | 1 lock × $25 a month × 12 months | $300 |
| Difference in this example | $135 in your favor |
Your numbers will differ. If you have fewer stays, or you never have a code problem, the add-on can cost more than it saves in dollars. What you're really paying for is fewer late-night calls and one less thing to remember.
What to watch out for
- Locks need power and a connection. Batteries run low. Wi-Fi drops. Some locks keep working offline and some don't. Keep a backup way in, like a lockbox with a key, and tell your cleaner where it is.
- Not every lock will work. We'll check your model before we set anything up. If you need a new lock, buying and installing it isn't included.
- A lock code is not a security system. It controls who can open the door. It doesn't watch the home, and nobody is watching it live.
- Treat codes like keys. Don't put a guest's code in a public guidebook or a listing description.
How it works with HostDesk
Smart lock automation is an optional add-on from Koli AI and up. It costs $25 per device per month and isn't included in the plan.
- You tell us which lock you have.
- We check it and connect it.
- A guest code is set up for each stay.
Koli Concierge is $299 per property, per month. It's available everywhere. If local vendors aren't in place in your area yet, billing starts the day they are. There's no commission on your booking revenue.
Questions
- Will it work with my lock?
- Tell us the make and model. We'll check it works before we set anything up.
- Can I add it to Koli AI or Koli Autopilot?
- Yes. Device add-ons are available from Koli AI ($20 per property, per month) and up. They aren't available on Koli Essential.
- What happens if the Wi-Fi goes down?
- It depends on the lock. Some keep working offline. Keep a backup way in, and we'll talk it through at setup.
- When can I start?
- We switch it on with you at your activation call, or by email.
Ready to see what fits your home?
Sources
None. This post uses no outside facts; every number is a labelled assumption.