Why You Should Change Door Locks Between Tenants

Why You Should Change Door Locks Between Tenants

There are many valid reasons why landlords and renters should change door locks between tenants. Understand its importance to both parties by reading this blog.
Owning a rental property requires a variety of responsibilities, with obligations going well beyond collecting rent. While you may be aware that your obligations also include property maintenance and general upkeep, one this that commonly generates confusion is whether it is necessary to change door locks between renters.
Despite the fact that it is not required by law, landlords should be obligated to replace the door locks whenever a tenant moves out. Undoubtedly, it will incur additional fees, but doing so will benefit not just the new renter but also the property owner. Replacing the locks when a tenant goes out increases security for incoming renters while also protecting your property.

Why do landlords need to replace locks for new tenants?

Landlord obligations vary from one state to the next. However, certain local rules and legislation may require landlords to replace the locks when a tenant moves out.
Even if prior renters return their keys when they leave, copies may have been made, providing them with access to the property. The tenant (and you) won't have to worry about it if you change the door locks. Moreover, old locks may have been destroyed during the previous tenancy, rendering them ineffective in their intended function of keeping unwelcome individuals out.

Can tenants change locks?

Most renters do not have the power to change the locks. They cannot bar the landlord from entering their property unless there is a legitimate cause. If the prior tenant's lock or key was changed by the landlord, the new renters should have no reason to replace apartment locks.
However, as previously stated, the regulations governing the changing of door locks vary by state. Despite repeated legal discussions in court, no statute addresses whether a landlord is required to replace the locks or if a new renter can do so. How disagreements are resolved is determined by the facts of each case.

The Average Cost of Lock Change

Many landlords are unwilling to take the needed step of changing door locks between renters for fear of incurring excessive costs. The hesitancy is understandable, given the high expense of replacing doors each time a renter moves out.
The cost of a residential locksmith's service varies depending on what has to be done and how urgent the issue is. Yet, depending on the service, the typical cost of hiring a locksmith ranges from USD$85 to USD$175. Remember that these are only locksmith service costs and do not include the cost of the equipment or devices you want them to install when changing the locks on your rental property's doors.

Clever Locking Solutions at a Low Cost

As a landlord, it's critical to have solutions and the finest locks for your rental property in order to save money in the long term. According to an expert locksmith in Littleton, CO, these options are:

New Knob and Deadbolt Combination

If you wish to change the locks, you must first remove the old mechanism from the door and install a new one. A word of caution: replacing outdated locks with new ones can be costly, but it will be worthwhile given the amount of protection it can provide.

Re-key Existing Locks

For landlords, re-keying existing locks is a less expensive option. To achieve this, the door's lock is removed and opened to show the pins. The pins are then replaced, resulting in a new configuration that necessitates the use of a new key. In most cases, this is less expensive than getting whole new locks.

Smart Locks

As homes become more complex, there are more lock options available, spanning from automatic locks and smart locks to Wi-Fi-enabled locks that can be unlocked using a smartphone or other mobile device. The landlord can unlock the door remotely without hiring a locksmith, and the code can be changed quite easily. Smart locks may also be synced with other compatible smart devices, such as Alexa and Google devices.
The nicest part about smart locks is that they are inexpensive. You're probably wondering, "How can they be a cost-effective alternative since they're significantly more expensive than standard locks?" But think about this: they may be more expensive initially, but because you won't have to change locks every time a renter moves out, your savings will be greater in the long run.

Electronic Locks

The easiest approach to avoid the problems that come with keys is to never use them. Although it may appear like electronic locks with number pads and codes are only seen in science fiction novels and espionage flicks, this is a common mistake, and their use in everyday houses is increasing.
While they cost more to install, need batteries, and may require the services of a locksmith, changing the code is free. When a renter moves, the previous code is removed from the system.

Conclusion

Because locks and keys are crucial for both the renter and the landlord, the regulations controlling lock modifications should be included in the contract. A landlord can specify in the lease agreement whether they will change the door locks or whether the tenant is allowed to replace the present locks. By making every variable black and white, you may avoid contradicting situations in the future. To guide both parties, it is important to evaluate all of the facts stated above and you can even do so with the help of a professional locksmith company.