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!

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.

New locksets are cheap enough. once you swap it out, save the old set and then put it back on in a couple years. You can get 2 or 3 sets and rotate through them so every tenant gets a new key.

@Wesley W. Awesome advice! Really good. Thanks so much!

@Andrew B. This seems like a smart and economical solution. Thank you!

Change the locks. It's a basic industry standard to do so. Don't reuse the old lock in the same unit, even if you wait several years, as those who've had keys previously just might try to enter the unit at a future time. Not worth the risk to the current tenant and not worth the risk to you.

@Marcia Maynard Thank you! Done!