Key lock boxes become popular among Airbnb hosts in Helsinki

In various central urban areas, large combination lock boxes have emerged, allowing travelers to conveniently retrieve keys. These boxes are found hanging from door handles, fences, and even on drying racks of apartments. The trend, originally adopted by Airbnb hosts and other short-term rental providers, simplifies the process of key handover to guests.

Marja Pajunen, an active Airbnb user, confirmed this development, sharing her experience in Helsinki’s Ruoholahti where she collected her keys from a bicycle frame attached to a lockbox. Within a private Facebook group, hosts exchange tips on key distribution, with one contributor mentioning their use of a lockbox fixed to a building’s drain for over a year, citing advice from a real estate investor: “It’s easier to ask for forgiveness than permission.”

In another instance, a host attached a lockbox to a drying rack in a shared courtyard, which guests use to access the building. Some hosts have opted for smart locks on their doors, changing codes after each visit to enhance security.

Many hosts express concerns that residential associations do not permit the use of key boxes, leading to a reluctance to publicly share their names. Nevertheless, they point out that key exchanges can occur without a lockbox; some hand keys to neighbors or leave them at nearby bars or cafes. Additionally, services like R-Kiosk or postal package lockers offer secure options for key drop-off for a small fee.