Tenant Turnover - Key / Lock Question

[Rob Wilcox]

Hello BP! We are turning over our first tenant. Do we need to change the locks / re-key the unit before giving the keys to the new tenant? If not required by law do any of you do thIs? Reading through the Georgia handbook regarding tenant / landlord law there isn’t anything specific to this question. Thank you in advance for your insights!

[Wesley W.]

Whether or not required by law, I think it is prudent to do so.  It will give your tenant some peace of mind at the beginning of a (hopefully) long business relationship with you.  I also think it makes you come off as a professional, rather than a "mom and pop."

Secondly, if there is a larceny (or worse), you want a clear conscience (and no culpability) if you are ever asked by LE or courts whether you changed the locks or not.

I know some people on here don't like them, but I have had good results with the Kwikset Smartkey system, which makes this a 30 second job.

It's really a small price to pay for great return via goodwill and safety.