Should I Change the locks???

Question

I'm dealing with my first vacancy/getting a new tenant. My prior tenants were fine and have handed in there keys. I was wondering if I should change the locks on the doors when I change my tenants.

Richard Rogers · Answer

Just a thought when thinking about re-keying.  You would also want to reset any garage door openers you have.  Even if they turn in the remotes, its easy to buy other remotes for those.  I have a remote wired into my motorcycle and I can still ride by my old house  and open the garage.  I've stopped several times and told them they needed to change it.

John C. · Answer

Hendrix P.,

Yes always change the locks. CYA. I use the Kwikset system from landlordlocks.com.  They take just seconds to change out and you can do it right in front of the tenant. Plus they look good.

Over time I decided it was a good idea to have a few cylinders keyed the same to a "vacant" key. When the tenant moves out a "vacant" cylinder goes on so my people can get in and out to turn over the unit. When a new tenant moves in we swap the cylinder again and the "vacant" cylinder goes to the next vacant unit. And so on...

Steve Babiak · Answer

The thread that Mehran Kamari linked was about re-keying at tenant move in - I posted in that thread that I always re-key at tenant move in.

Your post is about tenant move out re-keying.  No harm in re-keying then except your cost for locks, keys and time to change the locks.  Whether you NEED to do that - "it depends".  If previous tenants were of good character, and honest, then you might not worry too much; if you had some situations with the previous tenants that give you good reason to be concerned, then you would be better served by changing those locks ASAP.  They could still break in, but that is more effort than just using keys to let themselves in.  Of course, there is one other unknown, and that is whether the previous tenants gave a set of keys to somebody for whatever reason (friend to help in lockouts, babysitter, pet sitter, maid service, etc.); that other party holding a set of keys probably knows the tenant moved out and could try to let themselves in using the keys if they are the dishonest type.

David Krulac · Answer

Hendrix P.

Change the locks.

There are several easy ways to do that.  One is the Kwikset Titan series with removable cylinders.  In about 2 minutes you can swap out the key ways and replace with different ones.  If you have 2 vacancies at a time just switch the locks between them.  Or have an extra set for switching.

Then there are lots that you can change the operating keys without even removing the cylinders.

Then there are combination door knobs where you can re-program a new combination.

And then there are the magnetic strips like in hotels and office buildings.  To lock somebody out like a departed tenant you just re-program their code as no longer good.

John Thedford · Answer

Change them. If someone has a key and commits a crime against a new tenant guess who will be sued for negligence. At the least, it will be a nightmare. What if they find you negligent and try not to defend you on those grounds? The cost of locks is nothing compared to the cost of defending a lawsuit.

Kyle J. · Answer

I always change the keys.  Just makes me feel better.  Plus, I've converted all my locks over to the Kwikset Smart Key system so it costs me nothing to rekey and only takes about 3 minutes to do the entire house.

Roy N. · Answer

We've started putting electronic locks into our units {2 buildings thus far}.  Each tenant gets their own unique "electronic key", when they leave, their key is simply deactivated.

Another nice feature is the ability to issue one-time-keys to service personnel or agents showing a unit.   It also allows us to send an alert to the tenant (or sound the door bell chime) if the door is left ajar.  Finally, the system keeps a log of all key uses - ie.  Tenant A opened the front door at 01:00.

Rob K. · Answer

My insurance company requires that I change the locks. I would change them anyway, even if that weren't the case.

I change the locks when the tenant moves out. I then change them again when a new tenant moves in. I have workers and real estate agents going in the house for repairs and showings. I don't want to risk one of them keeping a key and coming back later.

Friends of mine had purchased a house. About two years later, they were having a party and a neighbor was over. The neighbor made a comment about having a key for their house on her key ring. My friend didn't believe it until the neighbor unlocked the door. (I couldn't believe that someone would buy a house, not change the lockas, and then move in and keep the old locks.) It turns out that the neighbor was good friends with the previous owner and had a key.

You never know who your previous tenants gave a key to. My neighbors across the street have a key for my house and I have one for theirs. It has come in handy several times.

Tom Goans · Answer

Some states and/or local agencies REQUIRE the locks be changed or re-keyed.  To enhance your reputation and to reduce liability, it is always a terrific idea to change the locks or have all locks re-keyed no matter the laws.  It is much cheaper than fighting a tenant legal issue.

One additional factor, who has a copy of the current key.  You have absolutely no idea.  It could be a past dating partner, repair person, the list is endless.

I have owned and managed rental property since the 1960s.

Dawn Anastasi · Answer

If you were moving into a house, would you like it if someone other than your landlord potentially had a copy of the keys to your place?

Should I Change the locks???

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