Smart Lock for Airbnb in Dubai: A Host's Smart Kit

The best smart lock for an Airbnb-style holiday home in Dubai is one that lets each guest in with their own code, so nobody has to be there to hand over keys. A Nuki smart lock paired with a Nuki Keypad does this. You issue a PIN for the stay, guests type it at the door, and you change it once they check out. A door sensor confirms the door is actually closed.

Around the lock, three more items cover the usual host problems: a Wi-Fi thermostat so the AC is not left on full between bookings, a flood sensor that alerts your phone before a leak reaches the neighbours, and cameras pointed only at the entrance. Before you start, check the current holiday-home requirements published by Dubai's tourism authority (DTCM). If you rent the property rather than own it, get your landlord's written approval before changing the lock or the thermostat. Under the unified Ejari tenancy contract, you need it for alterations.

Keyless check-in with codes

Nuki locks fit on the inside of the door over the existing cylinder, and you control them from the Nuki app. Our smart locks range includes several models:

• Nuki Smart Lock Go (from AED 643): app and smartwatch control, auto lock and unlock, up to 200 users.
• Nuki Smart Lock Pro 5.0 (from AED 1161): a brushless motor that locks and unlocks more than three times faster, with up to nine months of battery life. Quick and quiet operation suits guests arriving late at night.
• Nuki Smart Lock Ultra (from AED 1507): supplied with a universal cylinder. Useful if your current cylinder is not suitable.
• Yale Linus L2 Gen 2.0 (from AED 1119): app control with a magnetic door sensor, described by the maker as quieter than the previous version.

Guests should not need to install an app, so add a keypad. The Nuki Keypad 2.0 with PIN and fingerprint (from AED 709) is listed as compatible with Nuki 2.0, 3.0 and Nuki Pro. A version that also supports NFC costs from AED 775. Check the keypad's compatibility with the exact lock model you choose before ordering.

The Nuki Door Sensor (from AED 263) shows in the app whether the door is open or securely closed. It is a useful check after guests leave.

Check before you buy: the type and length of your door cylinder, whether the door has a separate deadbolt, and whether your building management allows changes to unit doors. Keep a physical key with a trusted person in case the batteries run flat.

Controlling AC between guests

Cooling an empty apartment at 18 °C for three days is a common and costly mistake. A Wi-Fi thermostat lets you set a higher temperature between stays and start cooling a few hours before check-in. It can also stop guests from leaving the AC at its lowest setting. Browse our Wi-Fi thermostats and choose by AC type:

• BeOk TDS21WIFI-AC4 (from AED 238): a programmable thermostat for HVAC fan-coil systems. It controls fans and valves according to room temperature, through an app.
• BeOk TGT70WIFI-AC4 (from AED 266): a wired Wi-Fi thermostat for air conditioning and HVAC systems, controlled through the Smart Life app.

Many of the other thermostats in the category are designed for gas boilers or underfloor heating. Those are not the right choice for cooling.

Check before you buy: whether your unit uses a fan coil (common with district cooling) and whether it is a 2-pipe or 4-pipe system. Also check the voltage and terminals on your existing thermostat. Compare all of this with the product's datasheet. Replacing a wall thermostat is fixed wiring work. It must be done by a qualified electrician and must follow your local authority's rules: DEWA in Dubai, ADDC/AADC in Abu Dhabi, SEWA in Sharjah.

Leak and humidity alerts

An unnoticed leak can affect the unit below and cause problems for your next booking. Place a Luxion Wi-Fi flood sensor (from AED 81) on the floor under the kitchen sink, near the water heater and below the AC unit's condensate drain. When it detects water, it sends a push notification to your phone.

Other useful items in our smart sensors range:

• Luxion Smart Door and Window Sensor (from AED 46): Smart Life alerts when a door or window opens, for example a balcony door left open with the AC running. It attaches with adhesive.
• Luxion Wi-Fi Smart Gas Sensor (from AED 158): detects natural gas and LPG, sends app alerts and sounds a 70 dB alarm. Relevant if the property has a gas hob.
• Sonoff THS01 temperature and humidity sensor (from AED 33): uses an RJ9 connector and needs a compatible Sonoff main unit. Check compatibility before ordering.

Cameras: entrances only

Guests expect privacy. Never install cameras inside the property, and tell guests about any camera in your listing. Point cameras only at the front door or an outdoor entrance. The angle should show who arrives, not the inside of the home. Before installing, check the DTCM holiday-home rules, the listing platform's policy and your building's rules.

Options from our security cameras range:

• Botslab R801 Video Doorbell (from AED 135): 3MP camera, 140° view, PIR motion detection, intercom, night vision and a 5000 mAh built-in battery.
• Geeklink GC-3 outdoor IP camera (from AED 164): 1080P, 15 m IR night vision and SD card recording, for a villa gate or outdoor entrance.
• EZVIZ 4G solar camera kit (from AED 758): for spots without mains power or internet, such as a remote villa gate.

Our range also includes indoor cameras. They are not suitable for guest areas of a short-let home.

A simple starter bundle

Before you order, confirm three things. First, check that the keypad is compatible with your chosen lock. Second, check that the thermostat matches your fan-coil system. Third, make sure the Wi-Fi reaches the front door and the AC unit.