A lock with a SIM card to open via Internet?

QQQ

My friend moved abroad and wants to sell his house without spending money on agencies. For that he wants to install a smart lock which he will open remotely over Internet for unattended viewers.
What locks with a 3G SIM card are available on the market and which ones would you recommend? There will be no mains power, so WiFi is not an option.

elsien

I think in the circumstances an agent would be a far better use of his money, than having to clear up any damage caused by letting people in that he hasn’t vetted, and can’t be sure that they will close up properly behind them when they go. If they go.

There’s money saving, and then there’s “seriously? “

CliveOfIndia

I'd agree with the above - it's got to be worth paying an agent to take care of things.  There's so many potential pitfalls of allowing unattended and unvetted people to roam freely around the house.

I mean, a far simpler option to the actual question would be just one of those key-safe things that you fix to the wall, and give the code to whoever you want to have access.  Very common on holiday lets, for instance.

But really, in this situation it's got to be worth paying an agent to care of everything.

Flugelhorn

can imagine a  keen buyer turning up and somehow your friend  can't make the lock work remotely and the buyer gets fed up and wanders off - just get an agent

unforeseen

What locks with a 3G SIM card are available on the market and which ones would you recommend? There will be no mains power, so WiFi is not an option.

What will power the lock and phone circuitry if no mains? 

FreeBear

unforeseen said:

What locks with a 3G SIM card are available on the market and which ones would you recommend? There will be no mains power, so WiFi is not an option.

What will power the lock and phone circuitry if no mains? 

Batteries of course. But these go flat and need replacing/recharging on a regular basis. The other thing to consider is failures - Should the lock fail (or the battery goes flat), does it default to locked or unlocked - If the former, how do you get in to fix the darned thing.

Ectophile

Why 3G, given that the 3G network is rapidly being turned off across the country?

2G will be around for a few more years, as will 4G and 5G.

victor2

As others say, spend the money on an agent.

Or, you're his friend, could you handle the viewings on his behalf if he covers any costs you incur?

How does he envisage handling the sale from abroad without an agent, if someone is genuinely interested?

Bigphil1474

He's taking a bit of a risk not going with an agent. They don't just take a few photos and show people round your house. They also check that the buyer can actually proceed with purchasing your property and work to keep the chain going, and probably other stuff behind the scenes. I'm currently selling my house and the EA fees are the one cost I'm least bothered about. 

twopenny

So they walk in and take up residence?
Or take what they like.

QQQ

Bigphil1474 said:

They don't just take a few photos and show people round your house. They also check that the buyer can actually proceed with purchasing your property and work to keep the chain going, and probably other stuff behind the scenes.

This is what agents would want you to think about them. Just pop into any agents' office and say you want to see this and that house. They will take you to those houses without checking your ability to pay or credit history.