Changing locks after a tenant moves out is important for a number of reasons, including property security, protecting new tenants’ privacy and safety, keeping a professional and dependable property management process, and reducing responsibility for the property owner. 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 reduces the risk of liability, resulting in a safer and more accountable property management process.
Property Security
Whether or not your property is currently inhabited, landlords should prioritize security. When tenants leave, there’s always a chance that they took extra copies of the keys with them. By re-keying the property, you can be assured that only those with authority will have access to your property. Even temporarily vacant properties can become targets for criminal mischief and burglary. Limiting who can enter your property and at what times is essential to keep your property secure and discourage criminal acts. You can make this easier by re-keying your property’s exterior doors as soon as a tenant moves out.
Renter Safety
Unreturned keys can pose a significant problem for your future tenants. Renters need a sense of security in their rental properties. If previous renters still have a key to the house, the current tenants may feel unsafe. You may be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs if a previous occupant or someone to whom they provide a key breaks in. Furthermore, tenants’ trust in you will decrease, which could give rise to canceled leases and costly turnover. Re-keying the locks is required to ensure renter safety.
Increased Appeal
Although the cost of re-keying the locks between renters may put you off, you can utilize it as a selling point for your property. If prospective renter is concerned about security, you can lessen their uncertainties by ensuring that their locks have been re-keyed; thus, 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 swiftly recoup the cost of having the locks changed.
Hire a Professional
Depending on your skills with tools, you may be able to re-key the locks on your rental property on your own. It is not too challenging, but you will need a bit of background knowledge. In addition, re-keying the locks is more economical than replacing the entire lock, knob, or deadbolt.
But if you want the work to be done properly, you may want to consider hiring a professional to come in and do it for you. You can have confidence that the re-key was done correctly and fast if you choose a professional locksmith. 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
Today’s landlords are searching for other ways to safeguard their property and renters. It may be more cost-effective for landlords to implement an electronic keypad or smart key solution than re-keying the locks each time a renter moves out. Installing a keyless entry system that requires a code instead of a physical key could eliminate the need for re-keying your house again. Even more modern keyless entry systems now necessitate unlocking via a smartphone app. Although more expensive initially, the smart key tool or replacement key code can be easily changed by yourself in a short amount of time. A keyless entry system could result in significant savings over time.
Having renters vacate your property may be a stressful time for any landlord. Put your trust in the hands of the professionals at Real Property Management Teyata. Our local property managers are experts in locating high-quality tenants and coordinating all aspects of a smooth transition. If you have any questions, contact us online or call us at 360-856-1010.
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