Managing smart lock codes across multiple properties, devices, and platforms is one of the most frustrating parts of running a short-term rental. Codes get added manually, shared through other systems, or left behind from previous guests — and suddenly you no longer know which codes exist, who created them, or whether your automation platform is actually in control.
Rental Home Automator’s External Lock Codes feature solves this problem in a way no other short-term rental automation platform currently does.
Instead of only showing the codes created by the platform itself, RHA aggregates and displays all lock codes found on your connected smart locks — regardless of how or where they were created.
This gives hosts and property managers something they’ve never really had before:
A complete, centralized view of every smart lock access code on every connected lock.
What Are External Lock Codes?
External Lock Codes are access codes that exist on a smart lock but were not created by Rental Home Automator.
These codes may have been added:
- Manually at the lock keypad
- Through the manufacturer’s mobile app (like Smart Lock Guest Access)
- By another property management system (PMS)
- Via a previous automation or integration
- By cleaners, maintenance staff, or owners
Most platforms simply ignore these codes.
RHA does not.
Instead, RHA:
- Detects external lock codes automatically
- Syncs them into your dashboard
- Clearly shows which codes were created by RHA and which were not
This turns a black-box system into a transparent one.
Why Traditional Lock Code Management Falls Short
Most short-term rental platforms only show “their” codes.
That means:
- You don’t know if extra codes still exist on the lock
- You can’t easily audit access
- You can’t be confident that old or forgotten codes are gone
- Troubleshooting access issues becomes guesswork
In practice, this leads to:
- Security risks
- Locks slowly filling up with unused codes
- Hosts losing trust in their automation setup
RHA’s External Lock Codes feature was built specifically to fix this.
A Single, Aggregated View of All Lock Codes
Rental Home Automator automatically aggregates every detectable access code across all connected smart locks and displays them in one centralized interface.
From one screen, you can see:
- All lock codes on all your devices
- Which codes were created by RHA
- Which codes were added externally
- Which locks are fully under RHA control — and which aren’t
This is especially powerful for:
- Hosts with multiple properties
- Property managers managing dozens or hundreds of locks
- Teams transitioning from another system
- Owners onboarding legacy devices
No more guessing. No more blind spots.
Bulk Remove External Codes and Reclaim Control
One of the most powerful aspects of this feature is the ability to bulk remove external codes from a lock.
With a few clicks, you can:
- Remove all non-RHA codes from a device
- Effectively “reset” the lock’s access list
- Establish RHA as the single source of truth going forward
This is ideal when:
- Onboarding a new property
- Taking over management from another host or PM
- Cleaning up years of accumulated codes
- Standardizing access across your portfolio
Once external codes are removed, RHA can manage all future access cleanly and automatically.
Why This Feature Is Unique to Rental Home Automator
At the time of writing, most short-term rental automation platforms only track the codes they create themselves.
RHA goes further by:
- Actively syncing external lock codes
- Aggregating them across devices into one combined list
- Allowing bulk removal to regain control
This makes External Lock Codes not just a convenience feature — but a security, operational, and trust feature.
It’s especially valuable for hosts who want:
- Confidence in who has access
- Clean automation logic
- Fewer surprises at check-in
Centralized Lock Code Management, Done Right
External Lock Codes are a perfect example of Rental Home Automator’s philosophy:
Automation should increase clarity, not hide complexity.
By aggregating all lock codes — not just the ones we create — RHA gives hosts full visibility, control, and confidence in their access management.
It’s a small feature on the surface — but a massive upgrade in how smart locks are actually managed for short-term rentals.
External Lock Codes and Calendar-Based Automation
Because Rental Home Automator is built around calendar-aware automation, having accurate visibility into lock codes is critical — especially when access control is tied to other automated systems throughout the home.
When RHA manages access end-to-end:
- Guest lock codes align precisely with booking check-in and check-out dates
- Old or forgotten codes don’t linger past checkout
- Locks stay synchronized with your booking calendar
- Access automation works in harmony with other calendar-based automations, such as lighting, switches, thermostats, and water valves
By surfacing and managing external lock codes, RHA ensures that no access point falls outside your automation loop — keeping lock access aligned with the same calendar logic that controls the rest of the property.
Rental Home Automator goes beyond lock codes with calendar-based automation for thermostats, water valves, lighting, and more — all designed specifically for short-term rental operations.
