Changing locks after a tenant’s departure is imperative for several explanations, like property security, keeping the privacy and safety of new tenants, maintaining a professional and trustworthy property management system, and reducing the property owner’s legal obligations. This provides the landlord and new tenants peace of mind, a fresh set of keys, and a safe and secure living environment. Re-keying your rental property also lessens the likelihood of responsibility. This makes for a safer and more accountable property management process.
Property Security
Whether your property is currently occupied or not, landlords should prioritize security. Upon the departure of a tenant, they may retain extra keys. By re-keying the property, you can ensure that only authorized people access your property. Even temporarily vacant properties can become subject to criminal mischief and burglary. You need to regulate who can enter your property and at what times if you want to keep your property secure and prevent criminal activities. You can make this easier by re-keying your property’s exterior doors after a tenant moves out.
Renter Safety
Unreturned keys pose a serious problem for your future tenants. Renters desire a sense of security in their rental properties. Nonetheless, if previous renters still have a key to the house, the feeling of safety and security may be an illusion. If a previous occupant or someone to whom they gave a key breaks in, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs. In addition, the loss of trust from renters could potentially result in canceled leases and costly turnover. Re-keying the locks is important to ensure renter safety.
Increased Appeal
Although the cost of re-keying the locks between renters may deter you, it can be used as an advantage for your property. If prospective renter is concerned about security, you can lessen their worries by ensuring that their locks have been re-keyed; as follows, they may opt for your property over similar rentals in the area. If you can increase demand for your property in this way, you can charge a slightly higher rent and quickly recoup the cost of having the locks re-keyed.
Hire a Professional
Depending on your level of mechanical skills, you might be able to re-key the locks on your rental property yourself. The work isn’t difficult, but it requires some background knowledge. Re-keying the locks is also less expensive than buying new locks, knobs, or deadbolts.
However, if you want to be sure the job is done right, it is recommended to consider hiring a professional to do it for you. Hiring a professional locksmith is the best way to ensure that the re-key was done correctly and quickly. The most important thing is that it is done correctly and that you have a whole fresh set of keys to hand over to your new tenant.
Alternatives to Re-Keying
Nowadays, landlords are seeking other methods to safeguard their property and renters. In place of re-keying the locks each time a renter moves out, some landlords choose the installation of an electronic keypad or smart key solution, which they deem to be more cost-effective. Installing a keyless entry system that requires a code instead of a physical key could eliminate the need for re-keying your house entirely. More modern keyless entry systems now necessitate unlocking with a smartphone app. The benefit of these alternatives, despite their greater upfront cost, is that the key code or smart key tool may be changed whenever you like. A keyless entry system could result in significant savings over time.
The process of renter move-out can be a stressful and busy period for property owners. Real Property Management Instant Equity experts are recommended for outsourcing the task. Our local property managers are excellent at handling everything the move-out process requires and can find you a suitable new renter as well! To obtain further information, contact us online or call us at 512-500-0422.
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