Why Landlords Should Rekey Locks Between Tenants
As a landlord, your top priorities are protecting your rental property, keeping your tenants safe, and minimizing liability. One simple step can help with all three: rekeying your locks between tenants.
Whether you’re managing a single-family home, an apartment unit, or an entire rental portfolio, rekeying the locks after each tenant moves out is not just smart – in many cases, it’s essential.
What Does Rekeying Mean?
Rekeying a lock means changing the internal pins of the lock cylinder so the old keys no longer work. It’s a cost-effective alternative to completely replacing the entire lock hardware. After rekeying, you’ll receive a new set of keys, and all previous keys will be useless.
5 Reasons Landlords Should Always Rekey Between Tenants
1. Security for New Tenants:
There’s no way to know how many copies of the key the previous tenant made – or who they gave them to. Friends, family, ex-roommates, contractors – any of them could still have access.
Rekeying gives the new tenant exclusive control of their living space, helping them feel safer and more confident in the property.
2. Limit Liability
If a former tenant (or someone with an old key) enters the property and causes harm, the landlord could be held liable for negligence – especially if it’s discovered that the locks were not changed between tenants.
Rekeying shows that you took reasonable steps to secure the premises, which can protect you in the event of a dispute or legal claim.
3. Maintain Professionalism & Reputation
Rekeying is a clear sign that you take tenant safety seriously. It helps build trust with new renters and reduces complaints about security issues. Happy tenants are more likely to stay longer, pay rent on time, and treat your property with respect.
4. Compliance with State or Local Laws
Some cities or states require landlords to rekey locks between tenants – especially for multi-family units or rentals with a history of turnover. Even if it’s not legally required, it’s always considered best practice.
Be proactive – don’t wait until there’s a problem or break-in to make this standard policy.
5. Cost-Effective Peace of Mind
Rekeying is more affordable than most landlords think – especially compared to the cost of a break-in, property damage, or legal issues. At First Class Locksmith, we offer bulk rekeying rates for landlords and property managers, and we complete most jobs same-day.
Common Landlord Questions About Rekeying
Do I need to rekey if the last tenant returned all keys?
Yes. Even if they returned a set, there’s no guarantee copies weren’t made. It’s not worth the risk.
Can I master key multiple units?
Absolutely. We can create a master key system that gives you access to all your units, while each tenant only has access to their own.
What if I have electronic or smart locks?
We can reset codes and access credentials for smart locks too, ensuring previous tenants cannot re-enter the system.
Services We Offer for Landlords
At First Class Locksmith, we offer a full suite of services tailored for landlords and property managers:
- Rekeying all types of residential locks
- Master key system setup
- Lock repairs and replacements
- Smart lock resets and installation
- Emergency lockout assistance
- Same-day, on-site mobile service
Whether you manage one rental or an entire apartment complex, we’ll help you keep your properties secure and your tenants protected.
Secure Your Rental Property Today
Don’t leave your next tenant’s safety to chance. Make rekeying part of your standard turnover process and protect your investment the right way.
📞 Call First Class Locksmith today to schedule rekeying services or ask about our landlord packages.
First Class Locksmith – Your Property. Secured Right.
