Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Smart Locks for Common House

[Katie Henry (katie-henry]

We installed our common house access system during construction. We have three 
outside doors, with two of them on the access system. 

The doors are always kept locked except during events. There's a keypad and a 
fob/card reader on the two monitored doors. Each household received fobs and 
codes programmed to specific residents. I think the codes get used more than 
the fobs because people don't want to carry their keys around. 

We also have fobs and codes for various service providers who need regular 
access (USPS, HVAC service, fire/sprinkler service, etc.). 

The system is managed from a cloud-based app. Two community members can log in 
to the app and assign/remove codes and fobs, unlock/lock doors remotely for 
events, and view the entry history. The app subscription costs something like 
$30/month. We consider this information top-secret and tightly guard it.

I think the hardware must be cellular, not wifi. We had the access system up 
and running well before we had wifi to the common house. Or that's how I 
remember it.

Don't use a universal code. Members will give the code to their cleaning lady 
and their kids' friends and pretty soon the whole town has the code. Then, when 
you change it, people will not read the email or check their mail folder and 
they'll be locked out in the rain and come banging on your window to get in.

Katie Henry
Heartwood Commons - Tulsa
https://www.facebook.com/HeartwoodCommonsTulsa