Keyless entry lets a shortlet guest get in with a code instead of a key. It saves you meeting every guest, but only works safely if you change the code between guests and keep a spare key for when something fails. On Cabans you save the code in “Stay information”, and the guest sees it only once you approve their check-in.
This guide compares keys, lockboxes and code locks. It shows how codes reach guests on Cabans, and what to think about before you buy a smart lock.
Keys, lockboxes or codes?
There are four common ways to let a guest in. Each suits a different kind of host.
| Method | How it works | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Key in person | You or a caretaker meet the guest and hand over the key | Hosts who live nearby, or have staff on site | Late arrivals, and your time on every check-in |
| Lockbox | A small coded box by the door holds the key | A cheap start to self check-in | Keys that are not returned, and boxes in plain view |
| Keypad lock | The guest types a code on the door itself | Hosts who want no keys to lose | Flat batteries, and codes left unchanged |
| Smart lock | A code lock you can also manage from a phone app | Hosts running several homes, or managing from afar | Internet and power needs, and local repairs |
Many homes also have a gate before the front door. In an estate, security at the gate may need the guest’s name before letting them in. Keyless entry at your door does not help if the guest is stuck at the gate, so tell security who is coming.
You can also mix methods. A caretaker can meet guests at the gate, while a code opens the flat. On Cabans both work. You can press “Hand over keys” when keys change hands, or go straight to “Approve check-in” for a code-only arrival.
How guests see your code
On Cabans, you save your codes once per property, in “Stay information”. Open it from the listing’s edit page, under “For your guests’ stay”. You can also reach it from a booking, or from your Bookings page.
The “Wi-Fi and door code” part has three boxes:
- “Wi-Fi network name”, which guests see from the moment the booking is confirmed;
- “Wi-Fi password”, shown only while the guest is checked in;
- “Door code”, shown only while the guest is checked in.
The password and code boxes each hold up to 200 characters. That is enough for two codes and a hint, such as “Gate [code] · Lockbox by the meter [code]”. Press “Save stay information”. It goes live at once, with no approval, and the codes are stored encrypted. They are never emailed.
Keep codes out of the other boxes.“House rules”, “Arrival and check-in instructions” and “Check-out checklist” are shown from confirmation, days before arrival, and are not hidden. Put directions and where the lockbox is there, but never the code itself.
Here is how the code reaches your guest:
- From the day before check-in, the guest can tap “I have arrived” when they reach the home. You get an email.
- You press “Hand over keys” if you meet them. They can now read the house rules and send requests, but they cannot see codes yet.
- You press “Approve check-in”. The guest is fully checked in and gets an email saying so, without the codes.
- On their stay page, the guest taps “Show door code and Wi-Fi password”. They can copy each one, and the codes hide again after a minute.
You can approve check-in straight from “Arrived”, without the keys step. That is how self check-in works on Cabans: the guest arrives, and you approve from wherever you are. It is not automatic, so someone must press the button. Booking emails go to your store’s email, the owner and up to 10 team members who can process orders, so a co-host can do it.
The code stops showing when you confirm the guest’s check-out, and never shows later than 2 hours after the check-out time. Step by step, see how to add house rules, arrival steps, door code and Wi-Fi and how to hand over keys and check your guest in.
If the property asks guests for ID, you can check it before you approve check-in. Guest ID documents are kept securely for up to 6 years, as data laws require, and then deleted.
Changing codes between guests
Your door code in Stay information belongs to the property, not to one booking. The next guest who checks in sees whatever code is saved. So change it after every stay.
The stay page hides the code from a past guest, but it cannot make them forget it. Anyone who copied or wrote it down could still open the door. A new code for each guest closes that gap.
A simple routine after each check-out:
- Press “Confirm check-out” once the guest has left.
- Set a new code on the lock or lockbox.
- Open Stay information and type the new code in “Door code”.
- Press “Save stay information” before you approve the next check-in.
- Test the new code on the door yourself.
A code box you leave untouched keeps its saved code, so only type in the ones you change. “Remove” clears a code completely. Change the Wi-Fi password now and then too.
With keys, count them back after every stay. If one goes missing, change the lock. A lost key is a fair reason to raise a dispute about the caution deposit, as long as you can show the cost. Nothing is kept until the Cabans team decides.
Turnover days can be tight, so fit the code change into your cleaning routine. Our shortlet cleaning checklist has a place for it.
Smart locks: what to consider
Cabans does not connect to any smart lock. Whatever lock you choose, you set the code on the lock yourself, then type it into Stay information. Think about these before you buy:
- Power. Most code locks run on batteries. Check how you will know they are low, and keep spares in a safe place.
- Internet. A lock you manage from an app needs a working connection to change codes from afar. When the internet is down, plan to change codes on the lock itself.
- A backup key. Every lock can fail. Keep a physical key with someone you trust nearby, never under the mat.
- The door. The lock must fit your door, and an outdoor lock must cope with rain and heat. A proper fitter is worth it.
- Local support. Ask where you would get batteries, parts and repairs in your city before you buy.
- Permission. If you rent the home, or it sits in an estate, ask the landlord or estate before changing locks.
- Simplicity. Guests arriving tired at night want a lock that is easy to use. Write clear steps in your arrival instructions.
We do not recommend brands or quote lock prices. Compare a few locks sold in Nigeria, and read how long their batteries last.
When codes cannot be shown
Sometimes a guest opens their stay page and sees a message instead of the code. Here is what each one means, and what to do:
| What the guest sees | Why | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| “Your door code and Wi-Fi password appear here once your host completes your check-in.” | You have not approved check-in yet | Press “Approve check-in” |
| “Your host has not added a door code or Wi-Fi password. Message them if you need one.” | The boxes are empty | Add them in Stay information and save |
| “The door code and Wi-Fi password cannot be shown at the moment. Please message your host, who can give them to you.” | A problem on our side | Send the code to the guest in a private message |
| “Your stay has been checked out, so the door code and Wi-Fi password are no longer shown.” | You confirmed the check-out | If the guest still needs to get in, give them access another way |
Codes also stop showing 2 hours after the check-out time, even if you have not confirmed the check-out. If you agreed a later departure, make sure the guest can still get in and out.
On your side, if codes cannot be saved for a moment, the page says so and lets you save the rest. Then send the code to the guest privately, or try again later.
Always have a plan B for arrival: a phone number that answers, and a person who can get a guest in if a lock fails at night. Tell guests where to find it in your arrival instructions.
Money and next steps
Guests pay online through Paystack when they book, and Paystack’s processing fee is paid by the guest. Cabans charges hosts a 5% commission. You are paid within 7 days after the guest’s stay, and sooner when the guest taps “Approve payment” after their trip.
Arrival is covered in the Host Academy lesson get ready for arrival, and the whole Host Academy is free. Running several homes? Manage your shortlet bookings in one place, arrivals included.
Ready to welcome guests without meeting every one? Take bookings online, or list your short let first. See how other hosts describe arrival in shortlets across Nigeria and shortlets in Lekki Phase 1.
Frequently asked questions
What is keyless entry for a shortlet?
It means guests get in with a code instead of a key you hand over. The code might open a keypad lock, a smart lock or a small lockbox that holds the key. It lets guests arrive without you being there.
Does Cabans connect to smart locks?
No. Cabans does not link to any lock. You set the code on your lock yourself, then type it into “Stay information”. Cabans keeps it safe and shows it to the guest at the right time.
When does a guest see my door code?
Only once you press “Approve check-in”. It then shows on their stay page until you confirm their check-out, and never later than 2 hours after the check-out time. It hides again a minute after they reveal it.
Is the door code sent by email or text?
No. Door codes and Wi-Fi passwords are never emailed. They are stored encrypted and only appear on the guest’s stay page while they are checked in.
Should I change the door code after every guest?
Yes. A past guest may have written the code down. Change it on the lock after each check-out, then update “Door code” in Stay information before the next guest checks in.
Can guests check themselves in?
Almost. The guest taps “I have arrived” when they reach the home, and you get an email. You or a team member then press “Approve check-in” from wherever you are, and the code appears for the guest.
Related guides
Shortlet check-in instructions template · Shortlet security for hosts · Early check-in and late check-out · Guest message templates · Shortlet house rules template · Management company or self-manage? · Shortlet cleaning checklist
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