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Rekey the locks between tenants!

By Robert Machado

Property Manager with HomePointe Property Management, CRMC 00691121

June 19, 2008 06:29 PM

When one tenant moves out how do you really know that that past resident has given you all the keys? They could have made a copy during their tenancy, so there is no real sure way to know they have not kept a key.

If the past tenant does have a key, and you use the same old keys for the next tenant, what do you think will happen when there is a theft (or worse, an assualt) at the house with no forced entry? I think you could be questioned on what you did to protect the new tenant.

The accepted procedure is to change the locks or just rekey the existing locks between tenants. This could be done on move in day so the new tenant sees it happen. That way no vendor could hold onto a key during the rehab and get in.

There is a lot to think about when managing your rentals, and the safety of your resident should be at the top of the list.

www.HomePointe.com

Houses and Homes for rent. Property Management for homes, duplexes, condominiums, and apartments.

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Chris Horton

Horton's Lawn Care L.L.C. - Burton, MI

Robert- Great post, definitly something many would not really think about. We actually change the locks completely for that reason as soon as we know the previous tenant is out and have everything out of the home. The reason for doing it then is we do all our own work and it protects our tools and investment a little more. However for those who hire everything out move in day is a great suggestion so there is no ? the contractors have keys.

Jun 19, 2008 06:37 PM

Lorinda Ward

Keffer Realty - Norfolk, VA

Serving, Hampton Roads Virginia. Norfolk, Chesapeake, Va Beach

Great property manager! If there are property managers or landlords not following this advise, they should be jailed! You should always, always change the locks when tenants move out. Great article.

Jun 19, 2008 06:40 PM

Kevin O'Shea

Coldwell Banker - White Plains, NY

White Plains, NY Real Estate

Great smart post about something not everyone would think about.

All the best!

Jun 19, 2008 06:59 PM

Libby Cousins

Extraordinary Processing - Spokane, WA

Contract Mortgage Processor, licensed in WA

Very good advice. I have heard of landlords also just rotating locks between tenants though eventually, an old tenant may be able to use their key again. Oddly, two of our neighbors never rekeyed the locks on their HOUSES when they bought them. I happened to have spare keys for the old neighbors and have "lent" them back to the new neighbors when they have locked themselves out! That is the first thing I change when buying a home!

Another thought is that, in new construction, there are many contractors that have accessibilty to the keys so, even though the home is new, there is potential for someone to have access with an unknown key. Most buyers don't think about that.

Jun 19, 2008 07:06 PM

Patricia Kennedy

RLAH@properties - Washington, DC

Home in the Capital

Good advice, Robert! I think it also applies to people who buy houses - you never know who has keys after a place has been on the market.

Jun 20, 2008 10:40 AM

Wallace S. Gibson, CPM

Gibson Management Group, Ltd. - Charlottesville, VA

LandlordWhisperer

I understand Sacramento is an area that requires this; however, most states and localities do not mandate that locks be changed between tenants.

Ernie Riddle * frequent contributor on the MrLandlord website * has locksets that can be re-keyed with a change of the cylinder - very easy to do and inexpensive if someone wants to master or rotate cylinders between tenants.

Jun 21, 2008 01:12 PM

Bill Dowell Condo Assoc. Management in Worcester, MA

Worcester Property Management LLC - Worcester, MA

Good idea! I recommend my landlords use non-duplicate keys to also help deal with this problem.

Jun 23, 2008 05:26 AM

Anonymous

Ed Thompson

Besides bumping and picking, you can eliminate key hassles with keyless locks from GoKeyless.com

Jul 10, 2008 02:58 AM

manager quitting

Hi...please adcvise.

I am leaving a job that I need financially.

The owner will not change locks. He will only rotate and sometimes I can not even get that accomplished.

It is a small complex, that has had evictions. I get worried sick about rotation and have paid for lock changes out of my own salary a few times.

The owner knows how unethical I feel and now I am quitting due mostly to this practice.

Suggestions? Laws? Advise?

Jul 27, 2008 05:40 PM

#10

Robert Machado

HomePointe Property Management, CRMC - Sacramento, CA

CPM MPM - Property Manager and Property Management

Manager Quitting, I do not think the system your owner has implemented is unethical or illegal. I would suggest that no one be told what the system is. That should be confidential. If there is any evidence that someone has gotten into an apartment using a key that should not have one, I would change those locks with new ones or have the locks rekeyed.

Jul 28, 2008 05:16 PM

I do not tell. I am concerned. We have many single women paying alot of money.

How do you defend that this is ethical?

I know some of the characters that have come through. It scares me. How can this be legal?

What do you base your opinion on. I am open to thought.

Jul 28, 2008 05:39 PM

#12

Rekey the locks between tenants!

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