Key Lock Box for Outside: Secure Outdoor Key Storage (2024)

Are you looking for an easy way to give visitors temporary access to rentals? Or do you want to enable self-guided tours at your property? In either case, a key lock box for outside is one of the easiest ways for visitors to access keys. But is it the best key management solution for your building?

Read on to learn if outdoor key lock boxes are safe and how to choose the best key lock box for your property. Next, explore the downsides of outdoor lock boxes. Finally, discover the safest way to store keys for visitor use.

In this post, we cover:

• What’s a key lock box?
• What’s a key lock box for outside?
• How do I choose a key lock box?
• What are the disadvantages of a lockbox system?
• What can I use instead of a key lockbox?

What’s a key lock box?

A key lock box provides visitors and guests access to your property when you can’t.

Key lock boxes, sometimes called key safes, are small boxes that store physical keys. They’re made out of durable materials and can be unlocked with a combination lock or PIN code.

Using key lock boxes to provide guest access is easy:

1. First, you place a key in a key lock box.
2. Second, you provide the guest with a PIN or combination.
3. When the visitor arrives, they use their PIN or combination to unlock the key lock box and retrieve the key.
4. Once the visitor is ready to leave, they return the key to the correct lockbox.
5. You can retrieve the key from the lockbox after their visit in order to prepare the lock box for the next visitor.

Discover how to enable self-guided tours with ButterflyMX:

Where is the best place to put a key lock box?

The best place to put a key lock box is in a secure area that’s not too busy. This reduces the risk of your lock box being picked or tampered with by unauthorized individuals who happen to walk by.

So, you should avoid placing a key lock box in a high-traffic area like a front door or gate. However, this may make it difficult for guests and visitors to find your lock box upon arrival. As a result, consider including instructions on where your outdoor key lock box is located.

Can key lock boxes be broken into?

Yes, key lock boxes can be broken into.

Most key lock boxes aren’t designed to handle extreme force or heavy impact, leaving them vulnerable to a potential break-in or theft. Thus why, as mentioned above, it’s best to place a key lock box in a slightly obscured area.

However, exterior key lock boxes are designed to be slightly more durable to withstand severe weather. So, they may be a more theft-proof option.

What’s a key lock box for outside?

A key lock box for outside is very similar to plain key lock boxes. They’re designed to enable access for visitors — without management intervention.

What sets an outdoor key lock box apart from typical key lock boxes is its durability.

A good exterior key lock box is:

• Waterproof
• Not electronic, meaning users will encounter a mechanical combination lock
• Corrosion- and rust-proof
• Able to withstand the elements, including snow, rain, heat, ice, and dust

Are outdoor key lock boxes safe?

Outdoor key lock boxes are usually made of sturdy materials, like steel and zinc alloys. This makes them slightly more tamper-proof.

However, as the name suggests, outdoor key-safe lock boxes are stored outside. As a result, they’re vulnerable to being tampered with since they’re easily accessible to passersby.

How do I choose a key lock box?

Are you considering a key lock box for outside but unsure of what features to look for?

The best key lock boxes feature:

• Large storage capacity. A lock box with a large storage capacity can store several keys at once.
• Durability. Look for lock boxes that are made of durable materials to help reduce the risk of damage. Additionally, a weatherproof key lock box with a high IP rating is designed to withstand inclement weather, making it a better option for properties within extreme climates.
• Simple to use. Outdoor lock boxes should be easy to use so that visitors can quickly retrieve keys to units.

How do you install a key lock box?

Installing an outdoor key box is as simple as placing it on your door handle or gate. This makes it a great DIY solution for small properties.

What are the disadvantages of a lockbox system?

Key lock boxes are convenient and easy to use, but what are the drawbacks?

Some disadvantages of outside key lock boxes include:

• Not great for large multifamily or commercial properties. Does your property house hundreds of residents or tenants? If your answer is yes, chances are that every single tenant will have at least one visitor during their lease term. Providing key lock boxes for every tenant and visitor is costly, hard to manage, and may lead to an inordinate number of lock boxes littering the front of your property.
• Limited number of PIN codes. Most key lock boxes with codes have a set number of unique combination PIN codes or combinations. And property managers can only change their combination code a limited number of times. As a result, visitors may attempt to use the same code for unauthorized access in the future.
• Not secure. Although key lock boxes are tamper-resistant, it’s still possible to break into them. As a result, they’re not the best key management system for buildings with high foot traffic.
• Stores a limited number of keys. Most key lock boxes are only big enough to store one key at a time. In fact, the biggest key lock boxes can only store a handful of keys. So, they’re not ideal for large multifamily buildings.

What can I use instead of a key lockbox?

The best alternative to outdoor key lock boxes is ButterflyMX’s Access Control System.

While a key lock box is a cheap and viable option for smaller properties, it can’t meet the touring or access needs of larger multifamily and commercial properties.

Instead of constantly worrying about prospects and if they’ve placed the key back into the box or not, you have another, more convenient option: a ButterflyMX Access Control System that eliminates the need for keys, while adding features and benefits for residents and staff.

ButterflyMX’s key management features include:

• Self-guided tours. Instead of having to manage a set of physical keys, you can text Visitor Passes to prospects that offer them multiple keyless ways to open the door. Prospects can choose between QR codes and PIN numbers – and after the tour is over, the Visitor Pass will expire to prevent unauthorized access.
• Multiple access control options. Choose ButterflyMX for our suite of Video Intercoms, Keypads, Card Readers, and more. Our Visitor Passes only allow prospects to unlock the doors leading directly to the unit, preventing unauthorized access to the rest of the building.
• Smart Locks. ButterflyMX eliminates the need for physical keys to individual offices or apartment units by integrating seamlessly with smart locks. That way, you can reduce the use of physical credentials, increasing security and safety. Not to mention, you can stop managing a wide array of metal keys for your property.
• Easy access for service providers. If a tenant needs to give temporary access to a service provider like a cleaner or a dog walker, they can use the Visitor Pass to store keys for them.
  Powerful administration dashboard. Your staff will appreciate the powerful ButterflyMX OS software platform, which allows them to make changes, edit permissions, and view an audit trail of all door entry events to increase security.