I rekey the locks between every tenant. It's a good safety measure because, like @Jeff Rabinowitz pointed out, you never really know if you got all the keys back. Plus, since I have the Kwikset SmartKey locks installed on all my exterior entry doors, I can rekey a lock in less than a minute and it doesn't cost me anything. So I do it every time.

I use a keypad lock and put in a new code for every tenant (and delete the old code). No keys and no lockout hassles.

How do you know you got all the keys back? You may have all the keys you issued but the tenant may have made copies. If someone with one of those copies uses it to enter and rob (or worse) and an investigation shows you didn't rekey the lock you could be looking at a world of hurt.Rekeying the locks is quite inexpensive and quick. I used a master key system and rekeying is all I did if the locksets were in good shape. Before I went to the master key system I kept extra locksets and simply rotated them to the next unit when they became vacant (when the number of locksets matched).

I rotate locks to different houses .

I would agree with Jeff that you should rekey after each turn. But use a master key so you don't have to keep track of dozens of different keys for yourself.

You never get all the keys back. It's $35 plus one hour to rekey a property and avoids accusations from the new tenant if something turns up missing.

Forgot to note, as John Adams said I have the same Schlage model and only had 1 issue. However the company replaced it free of charge since they have lifetime warranties. Why pay someone to rekey a deadbolt when you can reprogram a lock in a minute. Also it definitely is a bonus selling feature for renters. Every tenant (or applicant) I show the lock to LOVES it

This is the way to go, IMO. It's especially useful when a new property is being rehabbed and different tradesmen are working within. WiFi locks are awesome and will let you know who unlocks and the day and time and access can be granted and deleted with remote ease.

We started using SFIC Cores- they change extremely fast, and since it's a standard it's easy to get locksets for any door. It also makes it so you can truly key the whole unit with one key, including things like sliding patio doors. You can keep a few extra cores on hand, and when a tenant leaves just switch them out. Same goes for turnover - switch it out to a cleaning core. Also works well with masters and since many of the keyways are not standard places like Home Depot won't be able to copy the keys. You can do sub-masters for small multi family and the sky is the limit.

I have one master for Schlage locks and one for Kwikset. Those 2 masters open every property I own. My locksmith has my key chart and I simply have him rekey the cylinders after each turnover. It usually cost ~$15 per cylinder.

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Updated 12 months ago, 01/26/2024

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Tony CrabtreePoster

Pro Member

Rental Property Investor
Murfreesboro, TN

General Landlording & Rental Properties

Changing the locks?

Tony CrabtreePoster

Pro Member

Rental Property Investor
Murfreesboro, TN

Posted August 25, 2016 07:19

So how often do I really need to do it? After every tenant, or do you think if I get all the keys back and the were a great tenant it's to just keep the same keys?

Tony Crabtree

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