Changing locks after a tenant moves out is essential for a number of reasons, including maintenance of a professional and reliable property management process, property security, the protection of new tenants’ privacy and safety, and the reduction of the property owner’s legal obligation. This provides a safe and secure living environment for both the property owner and the new tenants, as well as a new set of keys and a sense of trust. Re-keying your rental property also lowers the risk of liability, resulting in a more secure and responsible property management process.
Property Security
Whether or not your property is currently rented out, landlords should prioritize security. When tenants vacate, there is always a chance that they may have kept a copy of the keys in their possession. By re-keying the property, you eliminate this possibility and ensure that only those permitted there can access the property. Even temporarily vacant properties can become targets for criminal mischief and burglary. You need the ability to restrict who can enter your property and at what times if you want to keep your property secure and deter criminal behavior. You can make this easier by re-keying your property’s exterior doors as soon as a tenant moves out.
Renter Safety
Unreturned keys become an even bigger problem for your future tenants. Renters want a sense of security in their rental properties. However, if previous renters still have a key to the house, that feeling of security could be a dangerous illusion. If a previous occupant or someone to whom they handed a key gains entry to the property, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs. You will also lose your renter’s trust, which may lead to canceled leases and costly turnover. Re-keying the locks is vital to ensure renter safety.
Increased Appeal
You could be discouraged by the cost of re-keying the locks between renters, but you could also utilize this as a selling feature for your property. If a prospective renter is concerned about security, you may allay their fears by reassuring them that the locks have been re-keyed. As a result, they may prefer your property over similar rentals in the area. If you can increase demand for your property in this manner, you can charge a slightly higher rent and quickly recoup the cost of having the locks re-keyed.
Hire a Professional
Based on your level of mechanical skills, you might be able to re-key the locks on your rental property yourself. Although it is not particularly challenging, it does call for some prior knowledge. In addition, the cost of re-keying the locks is significantly lower than the cost of replacing the entire lock, knob, or deadbolt.
However, to ensure that the task is done appropriately, you might consider hiring a professional to come in and do it for you. A professional locksmith will be able to do the task faster and with higher assurance that the re-key was done correctly. The most important aspect is ensuring
that it is done properly and that you have a whole fresh set of keys to hand over to your new tenant.
Alternatives to Re-Keying
Today’s landlords are seeking other methods to safeguard their property and renters. Instead of re-keying the locks each time a renter moves out, some landlords find it more cost-effective to install an electronic keypad or smart key solution. Installing a keyless entry system that uses a code rather than a physical key, for example, could eliminate the need for re-keying your house entirely. There are even more modern keyless entry systems that must be unlocked via a smartphone app. While such choices are more expensive in the early stages, the advantage is that you can quickly replace the key code or smart key tool on your own. A keyless entry system could result in significant savings over time.
Renter move-out can be a busy time for property owners. Why don’t you allow the experts at Real Property Management Northern Utah to take care of it for you? Our local property managers are experts at handling all that is required during the move-out process, and they also can locate you an excellent new renter! To learn more, contact us online or call us at 801-546-1770.
We are pledged to the letter and spirit of U.S. policy for the achievement of equal housing opportunity throughout the Nation. See Equal Housing Opportunity Statement for more information.
