Airbnb & Vacation Rental Locksmith in Long Beach, CA

Why does a vacation rental need its own lock plan?

A family home has a few people who ever hold a key. A rental has a new set of strangers every few days, plus cleaners, a co-host, maybe a property manager, and the occasional repair person. Each of them is a possible copied key, a shared code, or a door left unlatched. A rental lock works harder than an ordinary house lock, and it fails in different ways.

Hosts usually call us for a handful of recurring reasons: a guest left with a key, a code travelled further than intended, a smart lock went dead on a check-in day, a cleaner got locked out, or a deadbolt turned thousands of times finally started to stick. None of that is unusual, and most of it is manageable with a plan made before the problem arrives.

We are Wilshire Lock & Key, in business since 1987, with a storefront at 10740 Wilshire Blvd in Westwood and mobile service vans that come to your Long Beach property. David, the owner and lead technician, oversees the work. Our phone, (213) 577-1366, is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, because check-ins do not keep office hours.

How do you rotate access between guests?

There are three realistic approaches. The right one depends on how many turnovers you run and how much hassle you can tolerate.

One honest caution: rotating codes is only as good as your discipline. A smart lock does nothing for you if last month's guest code is still active, and a keypad with visibly worn buttons tells the next person which digits are in use. Whichever route you choose, keep a physical key backup somewhere sensible, because batteries and Wi-Fi both fail eventually.

Rekey the locks you already have. The cylinder is re-pinned so every old key stops working, and new keys are cut. This suits a lost key, a departed co-host, or a guest you would rather not have back, and it keeps your existing hardware. Our lock rekeying service explains how it works.
Use a keypad or smart lock with a separate code for each guest. You set a code for the stay and remove it after checkout. There is no physical key to lose or copy, which is why many busy hosts end up here.
Use a lockbox holding a physical key. It is simple and needs no batteries, but the code is usually shared and rarely changed, so it tells you the least about who can get in.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What should you look for in a smart lock for a rental?

We handle smart lock installation and setup, and we will also tell you when a smart lock is the wrong answer for a particular door. These are the questions that matter most for short-term rentals.

We do not push a particular brand. If your existing deadbolt is sound, rekeying it now and adding a keypad later is often the lighter-cost path compared with replacing the whole setup at once.

Code capacity: enough user slots for guests, cleaners and yourself, and the ability to delete one code without resetting the rest.
Power: a battery lock needs a low-battery warning you will actually notice, plus a plan for when a guest is standing at a dead lock.
Connectivity: remote code setting depends on the lock reaching your network. If your router drops, a new guest code may not sync, so ask how the lock behaves offline.
Physical backup: many models keep a key override. For a rental it is your last resort, so we make sure it works and the key is cut properly.
Door condition: a motorized bolt strains against a door that sags or rubs the frame, so we check alignment and the strike before installing anything.

How does a service call work, step by step?

Whether it is a lockout at check-in or a planned rekey between bookings, the call follows the same order.

For work at the property, our mobile locksmith vans carry common tools and hardware. Where a part has to be ordered, we tell you up front.

Call (213) 577-1366 and give us the address, the type of door, the lock currently on it, and whether a guest is waiting or the unit is empty.
We tell you what the situation most likely needs and arrange the visit. If you have a gap between checkout and check-in, tell us the window so we can plan around it.
The technician confirms you are the owner, manager or authorized host before opening or rekeying anything. For a guest lockout, we deal with you, not the guest alone.
We look at the lock, the strike, the door alignment and, for smart locks, the batteries and settings, so we fix the cause and not only the symptom.
Before work starts, we explain the options and what drives the cost, so nothing is a surprise.
We do the work, opening the door without damage when possible, then rekey, repair, install or reprogram as needed.
We test the lock repeatedly from both sides, check every code and backup key, remove any test codes, and hand over keys and settings.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

What affects the cost of rental lock work in Long Beach?

We do not quote numbers on a web page, because honest pricing depends on the door in front of us. What we can do is show you what moves the cost, so you can compare any quote you receive, ours included.

As a rule, rekeying a sound lock is usually the more economical route compared with replacing it, and a scheduled turnover visit is lighter on the budget than a rushed one. We give you a clear picture of the cost before we begin, and we will say so if a quick patch will not hold up on a busy rental.

The type of job: opening a door, rekeying, repairing and replacing are different amounts of labor and parts.
How many locks: front door, back door, balcony slider, side gate and garage entry add up, and doing several in one visit is usually more efficient than separate trips.
The hardware: a basic deadbolt, a keypad lock and a full smart lock sit at very different points, and finish or grade changes it again.
The door itself: a warped, drilled or poorly prepared door may need work before a new lock sits properly.
Timing: an after-hours call is a different job from a scheduled appointment between guests.
Keys: how many copies you need and whether the key blank is common or restricted.

What if a guest is locked out or a key goes missing?

It happens to every host eventually. The guest arrives late, the code does not work, the key is left inside, or the door locks behind a cleaner carrying laundry. Call us, tell us what is happening, and we will confirm with you before opening anything. For units in multi-unit buildings, our apartment lockout service covers shared entries and screen doors.

Many so-called lockouts are really instruction problems. Guests do not realize a lock auto-locks when the door closes, press the wrong button, or enter the code too slowly. A short message with a photo of the door and a plain description of how the lock works prevents a surprising number of late-night calls.

A lost or unreturned key is different. Treat it as a security event: rekeying the cylinder makes the missing key useless. For a smart lock, delete that code and review who else holds one.

What do Long Beach homes and salt air mean for your rental locks?

Long Beach rentals are not one kind of building. Housing spans Craftsman bungalows and 1920s Spanish Revival homes in historic districts such as Rose Park and Bluff Park, dense prewar apartment blocks and newer high-rise condos downtown, and postwar ranch tracts across East Long Beach in Los Altos and the El Dorado area. Naples and Belmont Shore add canal-front and beach-close homes. Each asks something different of a lock.

Coastal marine layer and onshore salt air are routine here, and corrosion is a genuine maintenance issue within a mile or two of the water. Inland districts are milder. If your rental sits close to the water, check exterior locks regularly and replace a deadbolt that grinds or sticks before it fails on a guest.

We serve Long Beach ZIP codes including 90802, 90803, 90804, 90805, 90806, 90807, 90808, 90810, 90813, 90814 and 90815, across neighborhoods from Downtown Long Beach and Belmont Heights to Bixby Knolls, California Heights, Wrigley, Cambodia Town and North Long Beach. That covers hosts near the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village or the Convention & Entertainment Center, and landlords near California State University, Long Beach, where student rental rekeys are a regular job.

Bungalows and Spanish Revival homes: older doors can have worn frames or unusual preparation, so we inspect before promising a smart lock will fit.
Downtown, East Village and Alamitos Beach apartments and condos: lockouts are common, and buildings often have rules about lock changes and shared entries, so check with your association or manager first.
Central neighborhoods with older multifamily buildings: security screen doors are common, so guests may face two locks. Write clear instructions and keep both locks working.
Naples, Belmont Shore and the Peninsula: salt air corrodes exterior deadbolts and gate latches, so choose coastal-friendly finishes and expect more frequent attention.
Around Alamitos Bay: marina gate and dock box locks face the same corrosion, and our gate lock repair work covers latches that stick or stop catching.

Locked out or need a locksmith now?

We answer around the clock, every day of the year.

Call (213) 577-1366

Why do hosts call Wilshire Lock & Key?

These are the reasons we can honestly offer, and nothing more.

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license, and you should ask any locksmith for it before they touch your door. That includes us.

If you manage several units, see our page on locksmith services for landlords, or contact us to set up a turnover plan that fits your bookings.

In business since 1987, so we have seen most of what a door and a lock can do.
A storefront in Westwood plus mobile vans: a real shop for parts and key cutting, and a technician who comes to your property.
One company from phone call to finished job, with no dispatch middleman passing your address along.
David oversees the work, so the person responsible for the standard is the person you can ask.
Phone answered 24/7, year-round, at (213) 577-1366.

Frequently asked questions

Can you rekey my Airbnb locks instead of replacing them?

Often, yes. If the lock body is in good condition, rekeying makes old keys useless and keeps your hardware. We inspect first, and we will tell you plainly if a lock is worn enough that replacing it makes more sense.

Do smart locks still work if the Wi-Fi goes down?

It depends on the model. Many keep stored codes working at the door, but changing codes remotely needs a connection. We explain how your lock behaves offline and set up a physical key backup.

Can you work between checkout and check-in?

We can plan around your turnover window if you tell us when it is. We confirm what is realistic when you call (213) 577-1366, based on the job and the door, rather than promising a time blindly.

Do I need to be at the property?

Not always, but we must confirm you are the owner, manager or authorized host before opening or rekeying a door. A phone confirmation plus someone on site, such as a co-host, usually works.

Will salt air damage a smart lock or deadbolt?

Near the water, exterior deadbolts, gate latches and keypads corrode over time. In Naples, Belmont Shore and the Peninsula we recommend corrosion-conscious finishes and regular checks. Inland areas are milder.

How often should I change my lock codes?

Use a new code for every guest and remove it at checkout. Delete cleaner and co-host codes the moment that person stops working with you, and rekey if a physical key goes missing.

Do you hold the California locksmith license?

California requires locksmith companies to hold a BSIS LCO license. Ask any locksmith for the number before work begins, including us, and do not let anyone work on your door without an answer.

Can you handle several units or buildings with their own rules?

Yes. We can rekey or service multiple units in one visit. For condos and apartment buildings, check with your association or building manager about lock changes first, so the work does not conflict with building policy.

More locksmith help in Long Beach

Airbnb & Vacation Rental Locksmith near Long Beach

Reviewed by David, Owner & Lead Technician, Wilshire Lock & Key — in the locksmith trade since 1987.

Last updated 2026-10-11.