Smart locks, video intercoms and gates: a guide to keyless access
Keyless access lets you open the door from anywhere and give cleaners, trades and guests time-limited codes. The key is choosing hardware that meets your insurer's requirements.
Keyless access lets you open the door from anywhere and give cleaners, trades and guests time-limited codes. The key is choosing hardware that meets your insurer's requirements.
What keyless access can do
- Unlock the door or gate from your phone, keypad or fob.
- Give a cleaner, dog walker or trades person a code that only works on certain days and times.
- See and speak to visitors through a video intercom, wherever you are.
- Know who came and went, and when.
- Link to the rest of the home: disarm the alarm, turn on the hall lights and set the heating when you arrive.
Types of smart lock
| Type | How it works | Considerations |
|---|---|---|
| Retrofit over a cylinder | Motor turns your existing key cylinder from inside | Easy to fit. Check it works with your door and lock type. |
| Replacement cylinder or lock | Smart lock replaces the existing hardware | Choose products tested to relevant security standards. |
| Electric strike or maglock | Common on gates and secondary doors | Usually wired, often controlled by an intercom or access system. |
Check your insurance first
Many home insurance policies set requirements for locks on final exit doors, often referencing standards such as BS 3621. Before replacing a lock, check your policy wording or ask your insurer whether the product you are considering meets their terms. We can help you choose hardware that does.
Power cuts and flat batteries
- Battery smart locks warn well in advance when batteries are low, and most retain a mechanical key override.
- Wired gates and electric locks should have a defined fail-safe or fail-secure behaviour, and a manual release. This is a design decision to agree, especially for fire escape routes.
- Local control means locks keep working if the internet goes down. See our local control guide.
Gates
Automated gates can be integrated with video intercoms, number plate cameras and your smart home, so the gate opens when you arrive and closes behind you. Electric gate installations carry their own safety requirements for force limits and obstacle detection, so they should be installed and maintained by a competent gate installer. We integrate with the gate controller rather than replacing its safety systems.
Access for staff and guests
Separate codes per person make it easy to revoke access without changing everything. For second homes and holiday lets, time-limited codes are especially useful. See our second home guide.
Video intercoms and privacy
A video intercom facing the street is a camera like any other. Our CCTV and video doorbell guide explains the rules.
Common questions
Are smart locks less secure than normal locks?
Not inherently. Security depends on the physical lock quality and how the digital side is set up. Choose hardware that meets your insurer's requirements and keep its software updated.
What happens if my phone dies?
You can still use a keypad code, fob or physical key, depending on the lock. We always design a fallback.
Can you integrate my existing gate?
Usually, if the gate controller supports external control. We assess it during the survey.
Related services
Last reviewed 1 November 2026. Prices ex. VAT unless stated.
More guides
Home CCTV and video doorbells: what UK law says
If your cameras only see your own property, data protection law does not apply. If they capture neighbours, shared areas or the street, it does, and you have duties.
Can a smart home be hacked? How to keep yours secure
Any connected device can be a risk if it is set up carelessly. Good design, local control, network separation and updates reduce that risk dramatically.
How much does a smart home cost in the UK?
Real figures from our own projects, what pushes the price up or down, and what you should budget for after installation.
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