Do you rekey when turning over a rental?

General Landlording & Rental Properties
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Do you rekey when turning over a rental?

Mary M.
Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes

I always rekey all the doors in my rentals when I flip the units for a new tenant as I always worry about the liability of keys floating around. 

What is your practice ? 

What would be a landlords liability if a key from a previous tenant was used to break in and steal? 

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Mike S.
Rental Property Investor · Huntsville, AL · Member since 2013 · 419 posts · 323 votes
7y

I've installed smartkey locks on all my rentals and rekey everytime.

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  • Mary Aviles
    Rental Property Investor · Tinley Park, IL · Member since 2016 · 39 posts · 53 votes
    7y

    I also always re-key after every tenant. I use the Kwikset Smart Key system.

    This made me wonder, however, how can you prove that you rekeyed if something ever happened? If you hire a locksmith, you have the receipt. But if you re-key using a DIY method (change code, cylinder, lockset, or use a Smart Key), how can you prove it? The only thing I can think of is to record a video, but that's kind of cumbersome to do and store.

    0Reply
  • Mary M.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Kevin Goldman:

    @Mary Mitchell

    I used to rekey then realized it was a good investment to just get the keys that have the do not copy stamp on them.

    The time and gas I spent rekeying adds up.

     It is very easy to make copies of keys stamped “do not copy” all you have to do is go to a self serve kiosk 

    0Reply
  • Alpesh Parmar
    Investor · Dublin, CA · Member since 2016 · 344 posts · 228 votes
    7y

    @Mary Mitchell my PM always installs new locks.

    0Reply
  • Arlan Potter
    Investor/Accountant/Builder · Meno, OK · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 918 votes
    7y

    Absolutely, its a 15 second job.   Landlord locks

    0Reply
  • Noor Hassan
    Member since 2019 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    Best to rekey, avoid the liability.

    0Reply
  • Nathan Morea
    Seattle, WA · Member since 2017 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    We are trying out the use of electronic deadbolts like this one from Kwikset:

    https://www.amazon.com/Kwikset-Powerbolt-Electroni...

    Idea being a quick code change between tenants without the fuss of managing keys, changing or rekeying locks on turns. Though we have not run into this situation yet, this lock could allow the tenant to set a one-time use code to allow a service provider into the property if they could not be home at the time. 

    Also we wrote into a lease addendum that the tenant is responsible for replacing the batteries as required. Lockouts due to failure of replacing the batteries are subject to management lockout fees or a locksmith at the tenant's expense.

    0Reply
  • Christian Hutchinson
    Investor · Detroit, MI · Member since 2014 · 360 posts · 354 votes
    7y

    I rekey every other tenant, but I also use upgraded locks so you cant just go to HD, you need a locksmith to get a key cut.  So I issue the key, and if they get a locksmith to cut a key for $50 good for them. For them to hold onto that key after they move out (they return the 2 issued) means they were a criminal anyway and they would prob leave a window unlocked to break in if they could.

    0Reply
  • Veronica Martin
    Real Estate Broker · San Marcos, CA · Member since 2012 · 6 posts · 5 votes
    7y

    @Mary Mitchell

    Yes always it’s the landlords responsibility to do so it creates a huge liability if you don’t. They have the simple kwickset locks that have an easy rekey button on them which makes it very cost effective for landlords.

    0Reply
  • Eric Schultz
    Investor · San Diego, CA · Member since 2016 · 265 posts · 305 votes
    7y
    Kwikset SmartKey locks are the way to go. Rekeying takes 30 seconds or less per door, and all locks on the unit can then be keyed to a single key. Tracking keys is simplified and no need for a locksmith.
    0Reply
  • Robert Wall
    Member since 2019 · 1 post · 0 votes
    7y

    @Jassem A. https://www.kwikset.com/vacation-rental-locks I agree. My partner is starting to use these vacation rental locks on non-local rentals.

    0Reply
  • David Wilbanks
    Rental Property Investor · Reagan, TN · Member since 2018 · 9 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    @Mary Mitchell

    I have 21 units in 16 locations so I change the locks and use them in other properties across town to save on buying new locks every time

    1Reply
  • Megan Day
    Attorney · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 3 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Mike S.:

    I've installed smartkey locks on all my rentals and rekey everytime.

     What brand? Can you reset remotely?

    0Reply
  • Megan Day
    Attorney · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2016 · 13 posts · 3 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Charles East:

    We use programmable/electronic locks on our rentals. It’s quick and easy to change code during turnover but they are slightly more expensive than standard key locks.

     What brand?

    0Reply
  • Charles East
    Rental Property Investor · Augusta, GA · Member since 2018 · 58 posts · 51 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Megan Day:
    Originally posted by @Charles East:

    We use programmable/electronic locks on our rentals. It’s quick and easy to change code during turnover but they are slightly more expensive than standard key locks.

     What brand?

    I don’t recall the brand, we bought at Home Depot, wasn’t the cheapeast or most expensive.

    0Reply
  • Charles East
    Rental Property Investor · Augusta, GA · Member since 2018 · 58 posts · 51 votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Megan Day:
    Originally posted by @Mike S.:

    I've installed smartkey locks on all my rentals and rekey everytime.

     What brand? Can you reset remotely?

    The ones we purchased can’t be reset remotely.

    0Reply
  • Otis Humphreys
    Hampton, VA · Member since 2017 · 7 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    $12! @Mary Mitchell what brand/model are you using for rekey. Thanks in advance.

    0Reply
  • Nathan GesnerBusiness Member
    Moderator
    Real Estate Broker · Cody, WY · Member since 2010 · 28k+ posts · 41k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Nancy P.:

     There are other types of insurance, like living in a small, rural, conservative town full of gun owners instead of a large, low-class community where crime is an actual risk. :)

    Again, changing a lock keeps honest people honest. It increases the difficulty of entering the home by about 5%. I guarantee I could test the first 100 houses I come to in my town and at least half of them will have an unlocked door or window. 

    There are almost 50 million rentals in America. How many times have you heard of a tenant copying a key and then breaking back in after having moved out? I network with thousands of property managers around the country, thousands of Landlords on this forum, and read a lot of rental-related news and I can't recall hearing about it once. I'm sure it happens, but ordinary break-ins are significantly more common.

    We do get tenants from out-of-area that are concerned about crime. We always disclose that we do not change locks. If the tenant requests a lock change, we always honor their request.

    I don't buy tornado insurance because the risk is ridiculously low. Same for locks.

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    1Reply
  • Joe K.
    Member since 2019 · 2 posts · 13 votes
    7y

    Something I didn’t think of, but that’s good idea.

    0Reply
  • Mary M.
    OP
    Rental Property Investor · Portland OR · Member since 2018 · 2k+ posts · 3k+ votes
    7y
    Originally posted by @Otis Humphreys:

    $12! @Mary Mitchell what brand/model are you using for rekey. Thanks in advance.

     I go to my local hardware store and they re key the locks for me. It is $12 per lock for a Master/slave rekey :)

    0Reply
  • Nancy P.
    Naperville, IL · Member since 2018 · 330 posts · 357 votes
    7y

    @NathanG:

    My properties are in a suburban area, but not "low class",  in fact,  one of the wealthiest towns in the Midwest.  Crime rate of 12.67 per 1000 residents to your 16.19.   (Crime is an "actual risk" everywhere there are human beings. ) Seven of our ten properties were foreclosures,  and in the nine years we've been at it, we've had three attempts to enter our properties by the owners who were foreclosed upon.  So, almost half of our foreclosed properties and 30% of the total.    None were successful as the places had been rekeyed,  and nobody then went on to break a window.  All were caught by current tenant and/or neighbors.  Police were called in two cases but person fled,  license numbers were noted and it was ascertained that they were indeed former owners,  but not much legally could be done.  Third time they screwed up the current lock,  and we are making assumptions about who it was.  And if we HADN'T rekeyed?  Pretty sure much more loss than the $30 or so per lock.  Not to mention peace of mind.  I don't know anyone who doesn't have a sketchy friend or relative. I find it safest to always assume a copied key is in the wrong hands,  and to eliminate the risk.  YMMV.

    0Reply
  • Scott Rubzin
    Rental Property Investor · Charlotte, NC · Member since 2015 · 72 posts · 30 votes
    7y

    @Mary Mitchell i always re key as well

    I’m on the same page as you

    Do you manage your own properties? Or have a property manager?

    0Reply
  • Daryl CampbellBusiness Member
    Residential Real Estate Broker · Columbia, SC · Member since 2016 · 17 posts · 1 vote
    7y

    @Mary Mitchell Yes absolutely. If someone broke into the home using the “old key” you would likely be liable. You can buy Kwikset SmartKey lock-sets from Lowe’s or Home Depot. They can be programmed to a new key whenever your tenants move out.

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  • Josh Dane
    Rental Property Investor · Chicago, IL · Member since 2013 · 100 posts · 85 votes
    7y

    @Mary Mitchell in my state/city it is illegal if you don’t

    0Reply
  • Justin Seng
    Rental Property Investor · Springfield, PA · Member since 2017 · 101 posts · 20 votes
    7y

    @Mary M. check out landlord locks. I use them and love em. 

    0Reply
  • Rick Stevens
    Rental Property Investor · Watervliet, MI · Member since 2018 · 49 posts · 29 votes
    7y

    @Mary Mitchell

    Landlord locks. Great customer service

    0Reply
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