Even in a time of unprecedented disruption, there are still plenty of people looking for places to live. How can owners, managers, and agents safely sell and fill vacant properties in the era of social distancing? Unattended showings.

This solution allows prospective tenants to tour properties without managers or agents present. It reduces in-person contact, helping tenants and landlords stay safe during the pandemic. But as many managers are learning, that’s not the only benefit of unattended showings.

With the help of smart home technology, unattended showings also offer increased levels of convenience and security that are attractive to prospective tenants — and to property owners, agents, landlords, etc. Instead of viewing these showings as a temporary solution, owners should see them as the future of rental management.

How to Make Unattended Showings Frictionless

The main concern when it comes to setting up unattended showings in both single-family rentals and multifamily properties is essentially the same: figuring out the best way to give prospective tenants access.

For single-family units, the problem is relatively straightforward. The front door is probably the only point of access — and maybe an intercom if the property is in a gated community.

In multifamily properties, however, there are other concerns at play. Potential tenants need access to the front door and a couple of model units in the building, but they should also be able to see common areas like laundry rooms, pools, and gyms (where access is traditionally restricted through the use of key fobs). However, managers also want to be wary of giving viewers too much access. As important as it is for potential tenants to see every aspect of the property, it’s also important that they can’t wander around and potentially intrude on current residents.

While physical keys or fobs are the traditional ways of accessing single-family and multifamily properties, they’re far from efficient or safe (on-site staff members have to be there to guide guests or check keys and fobs in or out). Luckily, there are smart solutions available that are perfectly suited for every scenario.

The general baseline is connected locks, which can be placed on the front door of a single-family residence or the resident door of a multifamily building. These locks serve as the base way to get prospective residents in and out. Adding a connected thermostat ensures the unit remains at a comfortable temperature, but these devices can also prevent prospective residents, staff members, and vendors from setting uncomfortable temperatures in vacant units.

Building out from there would be access to common areas, covering everything from traditional fob and keypad access control systems in parking garages and common areas to intercoms at exterior entrances. Tying your access control and intercoms into your unattended showing service allows you to program temporary codes for specific units, ensuring visitors only have access to specific areas for a limited amount of time. This way, prospects only get in the front door or gate when they actually should be in the building. Because each code is unique to each visit, it’s easy to see who goes where and even to guide viewers to areas they haven’t seen.

Unattended Showings Are Here to Stay

As the pandemic drags on, unattended showings are unquestionably the safest way to show rental properties. Beyond the present circumstances, unattended showings are also more convenient for everyone involved. Prospective tenants can view properties beyond the hours that managers or agents are physically present — and with no one in attendance for the showing, potential renters can take their time while visiting a property.

Unattended showings are, in many ways, selling points for properties. They showcase a more connected lifestyle, which is attractive to younger renters. Specifically, they show that property owners are embracing the latest technology to ensure tenants are secure in their homes. According to an Allegion survey, 52% of Millennials prefer to get into their homes with smart access methods such as smartphones and PIN codes. Unattended viewings do a great job of showcasing these features.

As the convenience and security of unattended showings become apparent, demand will only grow. While there certainly will be some in-person showings in the post-coronavirus world, they will be the exception rather than the rule. In the same way that most residents now pay rent online, unattended showings will be the new normal faster than you think — now is the perfect time to prepare for that future.