Smart Locks With Individual, Rotating Codes

Eliminating physical keys is the single most important security upgrade for a short-term rental host. A smart lock that generates a unique, time-limited access code for each booking means that each guest’s code expires at checkout. There is no physical key to copy. Access is automatically revoked when the booking ends.

Look for smart locks that integrate directly with Airbnb’s platform, automatically generating and sending unique codes with each confirmed booking. This removes the burden of manual management and ensures every guest receives a fresh code that expires at their checkout time.

STRIKEGLASS on Windows and Glass Doors

A short-term rental property with standard glass windows and sliding glass doors has a vulnerability that persists between bookings, when the property is vacant and unmonitored, and one that a guest who has cased the property during a stay knows how to exploit.

STRIKEGLASS from 416 Security Solutions installs over existing windows and glass doors, making them 300 times stronger than standard glass and resistant to the forced entry methods used in most residential break-ins. For a short-term rental property, STRIKEGLASS provides passive, always-on protection during vacancy periods without requiring any action from hosts or guests.

It is optically clear and has no impact on the guest experience or the property’s aesthetic. It also provides UV protection that prevents fading of interior furnishings, a meaningful benefit in a property with high occupancy and significant sun exposure.

A Monitored Alarm System Configured for Rental Use

Alarm systems in short-term rentals require a specific configuration. Guests need to be able to enter and exit without triggering false alarms. The system needs to be active and monitored during vacancy periods between bookings. And the host needs to be alerted to any alarm events, regardless of whether they are on-site.

Options include systems that automatically switch to away mode after a guest’s checkout time, with a mode guests can manage within defined parameters during their stay. Confirm with your monitoring provider that your system configuration is appropriate for short-term rental use.

Cameras at Exterior Entry Points

Exterior cameras covering the front entrance and, where permitted by local regulations, other exterior entry points are standard practice for short-term rental hosts. They document arrivals and departures, provide evidence in the event of disputes over damage, and deter unauthorized gatherings.

Important: interior cameras are prohibited in short-term rental properties under Airbnb’s policies and Ontario privacy law. Cameras must be limited to exterior areas and disclosed in the listing. Failure to comply with these requirements creates legal liability that outweighs any security benefit.

A Property Check Between Every Booking

A physical inspection of the property between each booking, checking all windows, doors, and entry points for damage or tampering, is standard practice for serious hosts. This check catches any damage to security infrastructure that occurred during a stay before the next guest arrives, and before a vacancy period begins, with a compromised entry point.

Secure Storage for Host Belongings

Any valuables, personal documents, financial information, or items of significance should be secured in a locked storage area that guests cannot access. A locked closet or cabinet with a separate key or code that is not shared with guests removes personal property from the risk equation entirely.