BiggerPockets

Wondering if anyone is re-keying or changing locks when a new tenant moves in.
Are you never doing it, or always doing it, or only if not all keys are being returned. Which then begs the question: How do you know all keys are being returned since there might have been copies made.
What of common area doors, like the back exterior door leading to a hallway of a duplex.
If a new tenant requests a change, do you charge them?

Always. But I've converted over to the Kwikset smart key system so I can just rekey the same locks. Much easier than my old process of changing the entire lockset.

Realize I'm just echoing what everyone else has said but you should always rekey. Kwikset smartkey is hands down the way to go. I do it on all my rentals and it has revolutionized the process. I'm that concerned about former tenants rekeying because you have to have the new key in order to rekey.

absolutely! i'm still old school and change out locks, but i do use the same brand each time..meaning i just switch knobs but not the inside hardware..takes 15 minutes to do front and back door (i'm not that handy, so i'm sure others do it quicker :) ) you don't want to 'god forbid' have a tenant come back and break in when new tenant has moved in...that could be a huge liability..in fact, i used to think switching locks between apartments and houses and keeping a few extra sets to rotate as tenants moved out would be sufficient, but now i prefer to just buy a new set for 25 bucks each time.

Do you then keep a stack of older keys on hand that you rotate FIFO when you re-key? The new keys they sell are pricey.
Also, have you ever had the problem of a lock "forgetting" the new key and it can't be opened anymore? Seems to be more common than I am willing to risk.

I am considering getting a pin kit and re-key myself. Easy to do, though it takes more time than Smartkey. But I want to avoid having to go out, drill the lock open and replace it when the tenant comes back home and is locked out.

Bienes: Good point, but it is as easy for them to replace the whole lock themselves. Happened before.

That's true, they could just change the whole lockset. I should have thought about that (duh).

Have you guys had any problems with the smartkey locks malfunctioning or breaking (not from rekeying, just from normal use)? There have been some reports of this online. That was my other reservation about them.

Originally posted by Uwe K.:
Do you then keep a stack of older keys on hand that you rotate FIFO when you re-key? The new keys they sell are pricey.
Also, have you ever had the problem of a lock "forgetting" the new key and it can't be opened anymore? Seems to be more common than I am willing to risk.

I am considering getting a pin kit and re-key myself. Easy to do, though it takes more time than Smartkey. But I want to avoid having to go out, drill the lock open and replace it when the tenant comes back home and is locked out.

Bienes: Good point, but it is as easy for them to replace the whole lock themselves. Happened before.

Get the "reset tool" and you can "re-program" the locks without a key if the tenant were to re-key them, or if they "lose" the program.

Buy the locks in "bulk packs" on eBay to get a bunch of different new "master" keys to program to. (they recommend a new key for programming)

And if you're worried about the physical lock being changed, they have screw-kits at landlord locks.com with a proprietary bit that can prevent that. Just a dab of locktite red on the threads & they aren't coming out without a fight.

I've never had one "lose" it's program, but I've always programmed to a new key, and taken my time. I could see getting a "bad" re-key if you were in a hurry, or didn't follow the instructions fully.

I actually do this while the new tenant observes! And then they sign a lease addendum that says the locks were changed, and number of keys they were issued. Not sure if a SmartKey change would convince them. I do as @Bryan A. said - use same brand and just change outside parts that have key slots; tenants comprehend that the old key no longer has any chance of opening locks that are physically changed this way.

I have seen the landlordlocks.com product demo'd in person, and that is the way to go once you get lots of units - mainly because you still can have a master key that accesses any lock. And even when you have mismatched locks because somebody used locks from different companies on the same door for knob and deadbolt - in that case, the landlordlocks replaces part of the lock so that once you've done that their system allows for changing the cylinder in a few seconds.

I'm in the state of VA. I know the law is if you have the right to possess a key you have the right to copy a key. It dose not matter if the key has do not dup or what ever is on it. The key cutter might not have the blank and they might not duplicate a key because of whats on it.

Kwikset and takes about 3 minutes to change all the locks on a house.

Always rekey.