Property Managers
Callbox Software Built for Property Managers
Managing building access across multiple units does not scale manually. Chimekey automates callbox entry for every unit in your portfolio -- reservation-synced codes, no hardware required, full audit logs, and team access built in.
The callbox problem at scale
One unit with a callbox is manageable. You set the dial-out number to your cell phone, answer when guests arrive, and move on. Maybe you miss a call now and then. Maybe you don't.
Ten units across three buildings is a different situation. If every callbox dials your number, you are the single point of failure for every check-in across your entire portfolio. You cannot sleep through a late-night arrival, take a meeting, or travel without arranging coverage. You are not running a property business. You are running a 24-hour door service with no staff and no off switch.
The standard workarounds all have problems. A shared lockbox with a building key leaves a physical key to the front door outside the building, accessible to every guest across every stay -- and most building managers prohibit it. A dedicated phone that a co-host monitors creates a single-person dependency and falls apart when that person is unavailable. Rotating phone numbers for different buildings works until a number is not updated on time and a guest gets forwarded to the wrong place.
None of these approaches give you an audit trail, automatic code expiry, or the ability to revoke access instantly when a reservation is cancelled. Callbox automation solves the problem at the infrastructure level -- instead of routing the callbox to a person, you route it to software that handles every call, verifies every code, and logs every entry without involving you.
What property manager callbox software does
Callbox software connects your building's existing callbox system to your reservation calendar. The core workflow runs without manual input:
- The callbox's dial-out number is updated to point to the software platform instead of your personal phone. This is a one-time change per unit.
- Your booking calendar (Airbnb, VRBO, Booking.com, Hospitable, or any iCal source) syncs with the platform and stays current.
- For each reservation, the platform generates a unique 4-digit code that activates at check-in time and expires at checkout. If a reservation is cancelled, the code is deactivated immediately.
- When a guest arrives, they press the callbox button. The system answers, prompts for the code, and opens the front door when the correct code is entered. You are not called.
- Every interaction is logged by unit, building, time, and result. You see a full access history across your portfolio without waiting for anyone to report it.
At the portfolio level, this means every unit runs on the same system, every code is reservation-bound and self-expiring, and you have a single dashboard showing access events across all buildings.
Multi-building management
Chimekey organizes access by building and unit. From the dashboard you can see which units are currently occupied, which codes are active, and the last access event for any unit in your portfolio. Adding a new building follows the same setup as a single unit -- connect the calendar, the system handles the rest.
Access logs are filterable by building. If something happens at a specific address, you pull the entry history for that building without sorting through events from other properties. Logs include the caller ID from the callbox phone, the code entered, the result (granted or denied), and the timestamp.
Failed access attempts -- wrong codes, expired codes, codes entered outside active reservation hours -- are flagged separately so you can spot them without digging through successful check-ins. If someone makes more than a set number of invalid attempts, you get an alert before your guest does.
Team access and permissions
The Superhost plan includes team member seats. Each seat has its own login and role-based permissions. Common configurations:
Co-host or assistant
Full access to all buildings and the ability to override codes when a guest is locked out. Handles check-in questions without needing your credentials.
Cleaning coordinator
Read-only access to see which units have completed checkout. Cleaners can be dispatched without waiting for a text update from you. The coordinator checks the dashboard and sends the team.
Building-specific access
Restrict a team member to specific buildings in your portfolio. A local co-host who manages one building does not need visibility into the others.
Team members never need access to your personal phone or your master account login. Each person has individual credentials and the access level their role requires -- nothing more.
Slack alerts and webhook integrations
Property managers running a real operation want access events pushed to them, not waiting to be checked. The Superhost plan includes two outbound integration options:
Slack
Connect any Slack channel to receive access event notifications. Filter by building and event type -- successful check-ins, invalid code attempts, expired codes, early arrivals. When a guest checks in, your access channel gets a message. When someone enters the wrong code three times, you get an alert before it becomes a problem. You do not need to poll a dashboard; the information comes to you.
Webhooks
Every access event can be sent as a signed POST request to any HTTPS endpoint you control. Payloads include building, unit, guest name, code result, caller number, and timestamp. Requests are HMAC-SHA256 signed for verification. Use this to pipe access events into your own property management system, a custom dashboard, or any automation tool that accepts webhooks.
Manual access management vs. Chimekey
| Aspect | Manual | Chimekey |
|---|---|---|
| Who handles each check-in | Host or co-host answers every callbox call | System handles every call automatically |
| Code management | Manually share a code, manually rotate it | Unique code per booking, activates and expires on reservation times |
| Audit trail | None | Full log of every entry, by unit and building |
| After-hours check-ins | Host must be reachable | No human involvement required |
| Cancelled reservations | Code must be manually deactivated | Code deactivated automatically on cancellation |
| Team access | Share your personal login or phone | Role-based team seats with individual permissions |
Which plan fits your portfolio?
Host
$10 / unit / mo
- Up to 10 units
- iCal sync
- Email alerts
- Access logs
Superhost
$15 / unit / mo
- Up to 30 units
- Hospitable API sync
- Slack alerts
- Webhooks
- 5 team member seats
Enterprise
Custom
- Unlimited units
- Custom onboarding
- Priority support and SLA
- Volume pricing
Frequently asked questions
Does callbox software require hardware installation?
No. Chimekey works by updating the phone number your callbox dials -- from your personal number to Chimekey's number. In most buildings, that change goes through your building manager or the callbox panel settings. No hardware installation is required, and no access to electrical systems is needed.
Can I manage multiple buildings from one account?
Yes. Chimekey organizes by building and unit. You can see which units are occupied, what codes are currently active, and the full access history for every building from one dashboard. Adding a new building is the same process as a single unit -- just repeated.
What happens when a reservation is cancelled?
Chimekey re-syncs your iCal feed continuously. When a cancellation comes through, the associated code is deactivated immediately. If you are using Hospitable with direct API sync, the deactivation is instant.
Does Chimekey work with property management software?
Chimekey connects directly to Hospitable via API for real-time reservation sync. Any other property management platform that exports an iCal calendar feed can also connect -- which includes most major tools. Check the integrations page for the current connection list.
What callbox brands does Chimekey support?
Chimekey works with any callbox that dials a standard phone number to reach the tenant, which covers DoorKing, Linear, Mircom, Aiphone, Viking, Fermax, Comelit, and most other phone-line intercom systems common in U.S. apartment and condo buildings.
Ready to stop answering callbox calls?
Tell us how many units you manage and which buildings they are in. We will walk you through the right setup for your portfolio.