SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--August Home Inc, the leading provider of smart locks and smart home access products and services that make life more simple and secure, is partnering with the world’s leading online marketplace for the vacation rental industry, HomeAway, Inc. Now it’s easier for hosts to give guests secure, keyless access to their listing using an August Smart Lock and August Smart Keypad. After making a reservation for a vacation rental with August Home products, HomeAway guests automatically receive a secure PIN code for their stay through the HomeAway app they used to make their reservation – there’s nothing else for them to do or download.
The vacation rental market continues to grow, fueled by tech innovation including smart home technology, which delivers a better, more secure and convenient experience for both hosts and guests, according to the August Home study, Short-term Rentals: Smarter Hosting with Smart Home Technology. Guests indicate not worrying about being locked out (53%), not having to coordinate with hosts when arriving or departing a property (48%), providing an easier system for checking-in and checking-out (46%) and a carefree, key-free stay would make the rental experience less stressful for them. For hosts, stress-relievers include not having to worry about guests forgetting to lock the door (66%) and no more hiding keys where someone besides the guest might find them (34%).
“Our partnership with HomeAway puts an end to leaving keys under the doormat, lost keys and coordinating key exchanges with guests,” said Jason Johnson, CEO of August Home Inc. “We’ve focused on the Smart Lock and Smart Keypad to offer the most convenient and simple way for guests to access any property. All guests need is the PIN code, that is automatically sent to them in the HomeAway app, to enter the property. This simplifies managing the rental process for both hosts and guests.”
Vacation guests (80%) report they are more likely to complete a rental reservation if the property has smart home technology. And, 60% of guests are also willing to pay more for a vacation rental with a smart home feature. All of this is leading hosts and guests to believe smart home technology, such as smart locks (hosts 85%; guests 77%), will be a part of all rentals in the future.
How it Works
Setting up and providing access to a smart HomeAway property is easy:
Hosts
- Create an August account
- Connect the August account from the HomeAway.com host page – a one-time process
- HomeAway now automatically generates PIN codes that appear in the host’s HomeAway Owner Dashboard for each guest reservation
Guests
- Automatically receive a notification to let them know that they have access to the property they reserved via a Smart Keypad PIN code in the HomeAway Guest app – that’s it.
Any reservation changes or cancellations automatically change the access times and days for the property. These changes are also reflected inside the HomeAway Traveler app and HomeAway Owner Dashboard. Once the reservation ends, access to the property automatically ends.
Providing secure PIN code access to a property with an August Smart Keypad requires an August Smart Lock. Remotely provisioning a Smart Keypad PIN code requires the August Connect Wi-Fi Bridge.
August Smart Home Access Solution
The August Smart Lock, August Smart Keypad and August Doorbell Cam, create the complete Smart Home Access Solution allowing people to manage their front door from anywhere. The August Smart Lock turns a smartphone into a smart key where consumers can lock and unlock their door, create virtual keys for guests, and keep track of who comes and goes with a 24/7 activity log. The August Smart Keypad also lets users create unique entry codes for family, friends and service providers to unlock an August Smart Lock without a traditional key or smartphone. The August Doorbell Cam lets consumers see and speak with visitors at the door, from anywhere, using a smartphone.
August Access
August products work in harmony with leading smart home brands to make life more simple and secure. August Access partners include Airbnb, Amazon, Apple, Google, Logitech, Nest and Xfinity Home. For more information, visit August Access.
About August Home Inc
August builds smart home access products and services that are safer than traditional keys, make life easier, and put users in control of their front door from anywhere. With August Home products, users can create virtual keys to their home and easily grant access to house cleaners, dog walkers, delivery services, guests, friends, and family – and control how long that access lasts—all from a smartphone. August Home products work together, integrate with other smart devices and services, and are designed to fit naturally and elegantly into the home. August Home Inc is headquartered in San Francisco, California.
