Yale, Yardi partner on multifamily digital access solution

SAN FRANCISCO—Yale Home, part of Fortune Brands Innovations, has integrated its smart access technology with Yardi's RentCafe Resident App, allowing multifamily residents to unlock apartments and community spaces using the same mobile app they use to pay rent, submit maintenance requests and manage other resident services.

The integration enables automated digital key delivery and recovery through synchronization with Yardi Voyager and CRM IQ data. Residents can access their units using a digital key stored within the RentCafe app, eliminating the need for traditional keys, fobs or visits to the leasing office.

According to the companies, the solution addresses a significant operational challenge for multifamily operators, where annual resident turnover averages about 50% across property portfolios. Digital access can help reduce issues associated with lost keys, rekeying costs and manual access management.

“As multifamily operators continue investing in connected technologies, they're looking for solutions that simplify operations while making the resident experience easier,” said John McGuire, senior vice president at Fortune Brands Innovations. “By connecting Yale smart access solutions with Yardi workflows, we're making it easier for more communities to bring these benefits to residents and staff.”

Key features of the integration include automated access permissions tied to lease start and end dates, temporary digital credentials for vendors and maintenance personnel, and support for common areas, amenity spaces and package rooms.

For property managers, the companies said the platform can help streamline unit turnover, reduce rekeying-related expenses and minimize manual coordination of resident and vendor access. Because the system does not require a hub or Wi-Fi connection, it is designed to simplify installation and lower deployment costs.

“Building a seamless renter experience means removing friction from every interaction, including how residents access their homes,” said Matt Seasholls, industry principal at Yardi. “By bringing digital access into the RentCafe Resident App and connecting it with leasing, maintenance and resident workflows, we're giving renters one simple experience while helping operators manage access without adding another disconnected system.” 

Photo courtesy of Yale Home