Control at the HOA Pool

This has been a subject in the past and have read the many comments pertaining to it...Perhaps unfortunately... at our place.. the desire is NOT to have a card system (which I favor) as it is considered too expensive. Next is a possible key system that would not be easy to duplicate. Has anyone used this type of key system and if so, where are such systems obtained? The problem here is that ordinary keys are used and they are easily duplicated at Lowe's/Walmarts, etc. As a result, the HOA Community pool is a public pool with friends giving friends keys, etc and the use of the gas grills, etc. If we did change the locks for a key that is not duplicateable(if that is a word), where can such a system be obtained? Keys would probably be handed out to the owners of the condos and if any key is lost, a hefty charge would be levied to have an additional key. This might help to keep from giving keys out right and left to friends.

JimM10, if memory serves me (and lord knows I am getting older..) there was a post about 3-4 months ago concerning access to pools. My community uses (like Chandler's) key-fobs, that are linked to a passive security system (the locks can be "interogated" for a list of users on a specific date/time). The "cons" to cards were that they require too many moving parts, the magnetic strips can be de-activated, or can have advers reactions to other cards (ATM, debit, credit, etc). Fobs work well on keychains and are usually made of hard plastic, so they are durable. I think that hard-keys (old styled metal) are not reliable, as you mention, they can be duplicated and become a headache - even those stamped with "do not duplicate" are potentials for abuse. The same goes for individual or group codes, for those cypher-numerical locks with key-pads.

Hi Jim,

While there is no key that can't be duplicated, there are keys that make it very difficult. Go to licensed locksmith in your area and meet with them. Tell them your situation and ask to see the type of keys that only a locksmith has access to.

We had a key system before swithing over to fobs and the key looked different than any I had ever seen before. The edges where the "teeth" would normally be cut into were both smooth and the teeth were actually cut down the middle of both sides of the key.

The key wasn't available anywhere but through a licensed locksmith and they know that it isn't supposed to be duplicated. Of course, if someone has a buddy who is a licensed locksmith, they could always get a copy made, but it wasn't something that would be found in the local hardware store or even at a locksmith shop unless it was specially ordered.