Overview
Legacy Signature Rentals is a real estate and property management firm based in Hickory, North Carolina. They specialize in developing and managing newly constructed, pet-friendly duplexes and townhomes across the Newton and Hickory areas. With nearly 70% of prospective tenants desiring keyless smart locks, Legacy chose to adopt this modern technology across their portfolio. This enabled them to satisfy renter demands by providing unparalleled keyless entry convenience and simplified access management.
“Other vendors do offer smart locks, but their software to manage and control the locks simply cannot match what Rently’s platform is capable of!”
Daniela Pardo, Director of Property Management at Legacy Signature Homes
The Challenge
To address a high frequency of after-hours unit lockouts and the excessive time spent managing physical keys for maintenance and repairs, Legacy sought to deploy a smart lock solution. Their goal in deploying smart locks was to resolve lockout issues, enhance staff efficiency, and offer residents a secure, keyless living experience. This solution would also allow them to seamlessly share temporary access codes with guests, dog walkers, and service providers, removing the need to copy physical keys or coordinate in-person meetups with maintenance and repair vendors at their properties.
The Solution
To establish adaptable property access without needing a centralized smart hub, Legacy partnered with Rently to implement their Smart Bolt Elite smart deadbolt locks. Legacy opted for Rently instead of emerging competitors due to Rently’s 15-year industry presence and the fact that they manufacture a proprietary line of smart home hardware, including hubs, locks, thermostats, access panels, and intercoms. Unlike newer startups that often struggle with platform updates and reliable API support, Rently provides a unified software platform that natively manages all connected smart devices.
Operating independently of a smart hub, the Smart Bolt Elite features built-in Kwikset® SmartKey Security® to facilitate instant rekeying. Implementing these smart deadbolts has transformed Legacy’s daily operations by eliminating accidental lockouts, minimizing after-hours emergency maintenance, and simplifying key organization. Vendor coordination is also much more efficient: technicians request entry codes through the Rently app, allowing property managers to receive automated notifications and authorize access remotely, saving valuable staff time. Furthermore, the resident transition process is completely modernized; Legacy no longer issues physical keys, instead requiring new tenants to register and unlock their doors directly through the app.
The Results
Elimination of Emergency Lockouts: By completely removing the headaches associated with misplaced keys and emergency lockout calls, smart lock usage has delivered a 100% decrease in lockout work orders, saving an estimated $25k and 150 hours each year.
Enhanced Key Control & Faster Transitions: Smart locks eliminate physical keys entirely to revolutionize property access. The move-in and move-out transitions are highly efficient, as residents gain access through a dedicated Resident Smart Home app rather than receiving traditional physical keys.
Streamlined Vendor Coordination: With automated notifications, property managers now manage vendors seamlessly and provide remote access without being physically present or manually handling every service call, reclaiming roughly 1,500 hours of staff time annually.
Adaptable, Future-Ready Hardware: The versatile design of Rently smart locks delivers long-term benefits, as they can be deployed immediately without a centralized smart hub. When transitioning to a full smart home setup in the future at selected properties, it can be done without purchasing replacement locks.
“Rently has truly helped lift many burdens from our property managers. Lockouts are no longer an issue, and coordinating maintenance vendors has become effortless. It has been amazing for us to have Rently function as a seamless extension of our team. I can’t believe we didn’t do this sooner!”
Daniela Pardo, Director of Property Management at Legacy Signature Homes
How it Works
Rently’s Smart Bolt Elite is designed to make property management, self-touring, and residency seamless and easy for everyone. Property managers benefit from quick setup and control for vacant unit self-touring, seamless move-ins/move-outs when rented, and simplified vendor access when maintenance is required. Prospective renters enjoy a keyless, automatic unlock for a smooth self-tour. While residents experience a smarter experience with convenient, multi-option access (app, code, key, fob) and temporary guest codes. And with Bluetooth and Z-Wave built in, it’s reliable whether you’re standing at the door or managing a unit from miles away.
About Legacy Signature Rentals
We believe that a home is more than just a place to stay—it is the foundation of a thriving life. Originally established as Legacy Homes, our rebranding to Legacy Signature Rentals reflects our elevated commitment to providing premium, tech-forward living experiences throughout NC, SC, and TX. We specialize in the development and management of modern townhomes and single-family residences, such as our premier Hickory Springs community, where sophisticated design meets everyday functionality. Our mission is centered on establishing great communities. Every “Signature” property is curated with high-end finishes, including granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and sleek, carpet-free flooring, ensuring that our residents don’t have to sacrifice style for the flexibility of renting. To learn more, visit: https://www.legacyhomesrent.com/.
