AIRBNB GOES KEYLESS: HOW HOSTS ARE BYPASSING LOCKBOX BANS
Across France, more and more cities are banning key lockboxes from public streets. Biarritz, Nice, Lille, Avignon — the list keeps growing. Local authorities believe these boxes distort the urban landscape. Platforms like Airbnb and Booking once relied heavily on them, but now hosts are being forced to find alternatives.
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🏠 AIRBNB SUPPORTS THE BAN
Airbnb has officially backed the crackdown on this practice, declaring “zero tolerance” for unauthorized lockboxes and encouraging hosts to comply with the regulations. The rental tech market reacted quickly.
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🔐 LOCKERS AND DROPBOXES GAIN POPULARITY
Concierge services like WeHost increasingly rely on connected lockers placed in local supermarkets. Guests receive a code and pick up the keys without hassle. It’s safe, simple, and aligned with the new urban rules.
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🧠 SMART LOCKS — A RADICAL SHIFT
Companies like Florella Résidences have ditched physical keys altogether. Instead, doors are equipped with digital keypads, and each new guest gets a unique access code. The only requirement: the building must already support keyless entry or have a digital intercom system.
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📈 SALES BOOM FOR TECH PROVIDERS
Companies like Keynest report a threefold increase in orders. In the Paris region alone, they now serve over 30,000 clients. Smart solutions are quickly becoming the new norm for property rentals.
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🌼 OLD METHODS STILL ALIVE
Not everyone is ready to go digital. Some hosts still meet guests in person, leave keys with neighbors or local shopkeepers — or even hide them under a doormat. It’s old-fashioned, but in remote or less touristy areas, it’s still a viable option.