Case Study: Chaos to Control

For a 380-unit beachfront condominium, the combination of short-term rentals and aging infrastructure was creating a perfect storm. Nearly every unit was owned by investors and rented nightly through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. With a constant stream of unfamiliar guests came a growing list of security issues.

Doors were being kicked in. Locks were jammed with sand. Pool gates were ripped off their hinges. Panic bars were bent. Glass doors were shattered from repeated slamming. The common areas were being destroyed.

The association tried to keep up by having their maintenance team replace locks using off-the-shelf hardware from big-box stores.

“I started buying cases of levers on Amazon. Some locks wouldn’t even survive a week.”- Chuck, Maintenance Super

The damage wasn’t just expensive—it was dangerous. One weekend, a board member spotted several teenagers drinking and lounging in lawn chairs on the roof of the building. The lock to the roof had been torn from the door. The teens claimed they found it that way.

“There was little we could do. I screwed the door shut for the weekend and called Key Security Services first thing Monday morning.”- Board Member

A Smarter, Stronger Approach

Key Security Services arrived that Monday and immediately understood the community’s challenge. With constant turnover, heavy usage, and a lack of renter accountability, the standard approach simply wasn’t enough. Key Security Services took time to explain the difference between residential and commercial hardware, the grades of locks, and how different functions and materials impact durability and safety.

Instead of patchwork repairs with weak hardware, Key presented a solution: a full upgrade of all common area locks using a line of commercial-grade, vandal-resistant hardware designed to withstand abuse—without breaking the association’s budget.

Changing Culture Through Accountability

The proposal wasn’t small.

“I’ll be honest, we had a bit of upfront sticker shock when Key provided a quote.”- Board Member

Replacing every lock on the property felt daunting. But Key Security Services didn’t just provide the hardware—they provided a strategy.

They taught the board and management how to leverage their existing camera system to document abuse and identify the responsible parties. The association began issuing fines to the owners of problem units, based on video evidence.

“We don’t like fining, but the end result is that homeowners started policing their own renters better to avoid the fines.”- Susan M., CAM

Within a few months, those fines nearly paid for the entire project.

A Property Transformed

What followed was more than just a security upgrade—it was a cultural shift.

With sturdy, professionally installed hardware in place, doors stayed locked. Gates stayed on their hinges. Common areas stopped being treated like disposable spaces.

And something else changed. The association began attracting a different type of guest. The party atmosphere faded, replaced by a quieter, more respectful community of couples, families, and seasonal residents.

Property values rose. The maintenance budget shrank. And the daily stress on the property manager decreased dramatically.

“The transformation has been incredible. The noise complaints are down. Repairs are down. My headaches are down. We finally feel like we’re in control again.” - Susan M., CAM

Peace of Mind, Built to Last

This project shows what happens when short-term rental chaos meets long-term planning. With the right hardware, a thoughtful strategy, and a partner like Key Security Services, this property reclaimed control—and restored a sense of peace and professionalism to the entire community.

Today, residents and guests enjoy a cleaner, safer environment. Maintenance staff have the tools they need to do their jobs. And the board has the confidence that their investment was not just a fix—but a foundation for lasting peace of mind.