How to handle keys between tenants and keep control across a portfolio.
For landlords, the rule of thumb is simple: rekey the locks every time a tenant moves out. A past tenant may have made copies, and rekeying between tenants makes those keys useless without the cost of new hardware each turn. It protects the next tenant and limits your liability.
If you manage more than a handful of units, a master key system saves time. Each unit gets its own key, while you hold a master that opens common areas and, where appropriate, the units, so you are not carrying a giant ring or chasing copies.
Plan rekeys into your turnover checklist alongside cleaning and repairs. Keep a spare set per unit through key duplication, and have worn hardware checked with lock repair or replaced through lock installation before it becomes a tenant complaint.
For mixed-use or larger buildings, our commercial team and residential team both work with property owners across Raleigh, Durham, and Cary. Contact us to set up a turnover plan.
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If you only take one thing from this, take this: handling a lock problem on purpose, before it becomes a crisis, is almost always cheaper and calmer than handling it in a panic at the worst possible moment. A little planning, a spare key, a rekey after a move, goes a long way.