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![[*]](./images/xpblue/default_icon.gif) posted on 8/2/2004 at 02:45 PM |
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How do i get the Key ?
julie carty
posted on 11-10-2002 at 10:28 PM
How do I get the key???
I have been asked in the past whether I send keys out to guests in the mail. I dont do it myself. You would lose too many keys!!
Most owners either send the guest to their management company's office to collect the keys or have a lock box on their door. The guest will get
directions to te management company's office or the box code as soon as he pays his balance.
I personally have a management company with a central Kissimmee office with long opening hours so my guests go to them for the keys. This is handy as
they can fill in the registration forms which are needed under Florida state law whilst they are there and my management company will take a credit
card swipe in lieu of a security deposit. If the guest goes straight to a lock box, he should either go into the management company's offfice the
next day to fulfill the registration procedure or the management agent should call by the house.
Some owners will ask for a cash security deposit to be sent to them with the balance and will not refund that until the house checks out as undamaged
after the guests departure instead of a credit card swipe being taken. It really does all deoend on the owners ( or his management company's)
preferred procedure.
Please feel free to visit my listing by clicking here.
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A/A
posted on 11-10-2002 at 10:39 PM
There is nothing worse than getting off a long flight and having to go and search for a Management Company to collect the keys to your house. Then try
to find the villa from there. Many an argument has been caused in families through this.
We provide a lock box on the door, so guests can go straight there, without any hassle of getting lost.
Once you leave the airport, you just want to head straight there without any problems en-route.
Arlene
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Jan Staines
posted on 12-10-2002 at 07:50 AM
Most guests prefer to go straight to their villa accommodation and for this reason we post the keys to guests UK homes.
Yes, there is always a possibility that they could go astray, but so far we have only lost one set and that was when they were being returned to us.
I use a very strong envelope, the keys are sealed in bubble wrap, stapled to the letter and directions, I then tape all envelope edges to ensure they
do not break there way out!
I must admit many guests are surprised that I do it this way, but I like to send a pack containing not only the keys and directions but also tips on
the area, local shoppng and, of course, the quickest and easiest route to Disney.
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Homeowner
posted on 12-10-2002 at 08:45 AM
Luckily...
our management company is on the direct route from the airports to our home so we ask our guests to collect their home keys, security alarm code,
driving directions to our home and info pack from there. They are in an envelope with their name on which they collect from the lockbox (we give them
the lockbox code before they leave home together with emergency numbers for our home manager, just in case...).
We like to give them a bit of time to settle in so our home manager contacts them the morning after their arrival to make sure that they've
arrived safely and makes arrangements to go to see them at our home. They complete the check-in procedure (provide a credit card for swiping to cover
their securty deposit of $200 which isn't processed unless damage or loss occurs in our home and pay for any options like pool heating or welcome
supplies, etc that they may have ordered) then and he can give them any local info we've left out!
We don't send out driving directions or local info as we have loads of this available to our guests on the internet. They receive the url (web
address) to this when they've paid their final balance 8 weeks prior to check-in so that they've got plenty of time to look through it all.
They can then choose what info they need and print it out (it even has printer friendly pages!).
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fiona
posted on 12-10-2002 at 08:49 AM
We also have an electronic key system so guests just go straight to the villa. Our MC phone to check they have arrived safely.
I also send out a pile of instructions, plus suggestions on character dining, shopping, sun safety etc. For my US guests I send it my e-mail, and in
the UK I send a hard copy with the directions.
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julie carty
posted on 12-10-2002 at 09:50 AM
My management company are just opening a new office which is very near to the vast majority of their accommodation for the very reason that guests did
not wish to be trailing round Kissimmee looking for the keys.. The office is in the Splendid China complex for all west 192 and highway 27 villas so
is not a problem to find at all.
I presume that if the guests go straight to a lock box, they have to go into the management co the next day as formal registration is a legal
requirement?? Also, guests using a lock box I presume have to provide a cash security deposit.? My management company wait until they get a credit
card swipe off the guest before they will hand the key over but it means that guests do not have to provide a security deposit by cash or cheque.
Jan, what happens if they lose the key or leave it on the table at home? I once had someone who left their directions to my management co at home and
rang me from Orlando airport in a panic.!!! I had to direct them to my management co over the phone and they then provided them with a map to the
house. I maintain, it was easier in this case to direct to a management co on the 192 than it would have been to a private villa address!!
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athurstance
posted on 12-10-2002 at 12:37 PM
I'm with Julie on this. We direct our guests to our Man Co - who are by Goodings in front of Splendid China. You can't get to our villa from
either MCO or Sandford without driving past their office which also has a huge neon sign outside it.
I think its nice when you arrive in Orlando to see a friendly face. They provide keys, written and verbal directions and maps, take a credit card
security and have the guest fill in their registration. It also underlines the fact that my MC are on call for them 24/7 if they have any problem at
all when they are in the villa.
Also my MC are always changing the locks so it would be hard work if I held the keys. I even pick them up myself from the MC when I arrive in Orlando
if my keys are out of date.
Angela
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fiona
posted on 12-10-2002 at 01:02 PM
Well that's fine and dandy if you do get a friendly face.
We spent ages trying to find the IPG office at Bermuda Place - plane late, therefore driving round in the dark etc. etc.
All I can say is their guy could have done with a spell at the charm school, and it was a reflection on how they maintained the villa we stayed in.
Tired, torn sheets, chipped china, mis-matching crockery, missing light bulbs etc.
When we bought a villa guess which MC we weren't going to even think of using. And guess who we wouldn't even think of buying a villa
through either?
Our villa is half a mile from the Winn-Dixie market (not Goodings any longer!) and in 3 years we have had no problems with people going straight to
the villa.
First time we stayed we got sent a key in the UK and followed instructions to stay in Indian Point. Nice friendly phone call when we arrived -
we'd flown in to a hurricane, telling us a) not to worry and b) what to do!
So it's horses for courses here. If your system works for you that's great. But both can work equally well - or equally badly! At the end of
the day we are reliant upon our MC's from that part of the stage, and most of them do their job very well. Shame about the few that ruin it for
both homeowners and holidaymakers though isn't it?
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BirdyM3
posted on 12-10-2002 at 01:41 PM
We rather have our guests go to the MC first to pick up the keys so they can get there packet meet with the management team so they know who they are
dealing with if they have a problem and where the office is in case they would need to go there for some reason. The office is in direct route to the
villa. We have never had any of our guests complain about this procedure.
BirdyM3
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JaneSansom
MODERATOR
posted on 13-10-2002 at 06:35 PM
We too have a lock box - 8 weeks prior to your arrival at our villa, we forward directions how to get to the villa from the various airports together
with our Management company details. We also advise the number for our lock box. Our MC will then telephone or visit you to make sure everything is OK
- but we do ask that if you have any problems to ring the MC or indeed us so that we can do our utmost to help out.
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stephen160
posted on 14-10-2002 at 07:18 AM
We send the key out with an information pack approx 8 weeks before their holiday.
This makes life a lot easier for the guest.(Only the villa to find)
The only time we have had guest get lost is when we used a lock box. When i carried out a survey many years ago, one of the few negatives was going to
pick the key up.
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debbie
posted on 14-10-2002 at 08:37 AM
We also send a key out to all uk guests, along with directions etc. Haven't lost a key in 4 years.
Guests always comment on your home when returning key, also reminds me to send back security refund.
We have a lock box on the door should anyone require a second key or for us guests.
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bellaepovera
posted on 14-10-2002 at 09:43 PM
We always send maps and directions from airport or driving from the US, and lock box number so our guest can go directly to their villa. Sometimes
people fly in late at night and cant always find the Management companies avalable so lock box for us is the more useful.
Please view my villa for more info
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Calabay kid
posted on 24-8-2003 at 10:44 AM
We send out directions to villa, lock box key code and security alarm code and lots of other information a few weeks before arrival date. Most guests
seem to prefer to go straight to the house but they are offered the option to go to the mc's office also. Security deposits are usually paid in
advance, and most US guests who pay the deposit by PAYPAL, find their refund is made shortly after departure
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minnie29uk
posted on 2-1-2004 at 09:59 PM
onsite management company
I think this is one of the reasons I chose a property with an onsite management company,Glenbrook Village.This way,guests arent driving around for the
offices to find their key or sign the registratyion forms etc. Only time will tell how it all works out
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Mo Guest
Florida Advisor
Posts: 432
Registered: 17/4/2003
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| posted on 28/2/2004 at 09:58 AM |
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Hello All,
We have at our villa on Southern Dunes Golf & Country Club Estate an electronic keypad fitted to the door. All we need to do is e.mail the code
number, along with directions and our helpful information to our guests before they depart. They can go straight from the airport to our villa - and
no-one has complained about our directions yet!
There is no need to for keys at all, which also means our guests don't worry about carrying keys during their stay. We also have a lock box as a
backup system as well as providing the phone number of our MC, just in case there are any problems.
Ideally our guests can leave the airport, jump straight into their car and take themselves directly to our villa.
Easy peasy!!
Tony & Mo
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Tim Barry
Florida Expert**
Posts: 619
Registered: 17/3/2004
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| posted on 28/2/2004 at 06:21 PM |
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Hi All
In addition to Christines system you can also leave a key in the lock box if the digi pad doesn't work for some reason. This saves calling the
MC the middle of the night and allows the guests entry.
Tim
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fiona
Florida Advisor
Posts: 318
Registered: 30/8/2002
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| posted on 28/2/2004 at 10:20 PM |
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We have the electronic keypad and a lockbox as a back up in case the batteries go, or as we did on one occasion, have problem in the rainy season.
Fiona
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Christine Creasey
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| posted on 29/2/2004 at 11:24 AM |
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I only have the lockbox.
What is the advantage of having the electronic keypad as well?
Just for information. When I went out to close on our villa last year, I wanted to put a dead lock on the front door, but the locksmith I consulted
told me that I could not do so as the villa was STR and a dead lock breached fire and safety regulations.
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pbensur
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| posted on 29/2/2004 at 01:03 PM |
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Yes - this is true about the dead lock. We have one installed, but had to have it disabled.
Do those of you with an electronic keypad have to change the code for each guest?? I'm assuming you must for security reasons. This isn't
necessary with a lockbox.
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lynne stevens
Florida Expert**
Posts: 610
Registered: 12/5/2004
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| posted on 4/11/2004 at 12:57 PM |
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We have a coded lock box and change the code every couple of months.
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minnie29uk
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| posted on 4/11/2004 at 06:29 PM |
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Same as Lynne,I have a coded lock box and change it every so often.
Lynn
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disneydreamin
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| posted on 4/11/2004 at 09:16 PM |
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Whilst we have a lock box at the house we prefer to get our guests to check in with our management company and collect the key from them. They have
to drive past the door on the way from the airport to the villa so it is not out of the way and I think it is nice for them to know that there is a
friendly face in case you have a problem or query during your holiday.
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steve and lisa crane
Florida Advisor
Posts: 311
Registered: 20/12/2003
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| posted on 5/11/2004 at 08:21 AM |
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The lock box has worked well for us so far. I like the idea of a digipad, but am quite a technophobe, so it scares me a little! I think all of our
guests have been happy with leaving the airport and going straight to the villa. Before we bought, we rented a villa through virgin and had to visit
their shop/welcome centre to collect keys. This was a slight pain as there were about 3 groups ahead of us in the line, and with kids in the party
they became a bit irritable (but not quite as much as some of the adults) 
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Dawn Burley
Florida Advisor
Posts: 344
Registered: 16/9/2004
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| posted on 29/11/2005 at 11:53 AM |
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We have a lock box. When we arrived in October it was evening so we couldn't quite see the numbers (the porch light wasn't on). My ten year old son
saved the day suggesting his gameboy advance be used as a light. We shone this on the box and it worked a treat So now I shall add the number sequence of my lockbox to info we send to
guests just incase the light isn't on and they need it. It just goes to show that you carn't always think of everything!
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DaveL
Senior Mod
Posts: 3870
Registered: 12/3/2004
Location: High Wycombe and Cypress Lakes
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| posted on 29/11/2005 at 03:09 PM |
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Better still add a twin light security sensor which will light your guests path as they arrive and make it easy for them to find the lock box and the
keyhole.
Regards Dave
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Dawn Burley
Florida Advisor
Posts: 344
Registered: 16/9/2004
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| posted on 29/11/2005 at 04:06 PM |
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Great idea Dave. Where is the best place to get these?
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pbensur
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| posted on 29/11/2005 at 08:14 PM |
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| Quote: | Originally posted by Dawn Burley
Great idea Dave. Where is the best place to get these? |
I'm sure that would be at Dave's second home - Home Depot of course!
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Dawn Burley
Florida Advisor
Posts: 344
Registered: 16/9/2004
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| posted on 29/11/2005 at 08:22 PM |
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Patty I have a feeling you may be right
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DaveL
Senior Mod
Posts: 3870
Registered: 12/3/2004
Location: High Wycombe and Cypress Lakes
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| posted on 30/11/2005 at 02:53 AM |
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You are indeed right, they are about $15 but you will also need a mounting box and some extra cable; so total budget will be around $40 with the
bulbs.
Simplest way to mount is under the eves of the house and the run the cable round to the garage behind the vented eves. They just lift up so you can
tuck the cable up quite simply. When you get to the garage make a small hole in the ceiling above a power outlet and then tack the cable down the wall
and put a plug on.
Regards Dave
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janesansom
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| posted on 30/11/2005 at 08:20 AM |
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We put one of these in as our UK guests tend to arrive late and it is a great help every night thereafter.
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