Changing locks following a tenant’s departure is advisable for several reasons, like property security, protecting future tenants’ privacy and safety, keeping a professional and reliable property management process, and lessening the property owner’s responsibility. 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 possibility of accountability, resulting in a more secure and reliable method of property management.
Property Security
Irrespective of whether your property is currently inhabited or not, landlords should prioritize security. Upon leaving tenants, there is a strong chance that they may have spare keys. Re-keying the property reduces the possibility of unlawful entry because only those with access are allowed in. Even temporarily vacant properties can be susceptible to criminal mischief and burglary. Controlling who can enter your property and at what times is essential to keep your property secure and deter illegal activity. You can simplify this by re-keying your property’s exterior doors as soon as a tenant moves out.
Renter Safety
Unreturned keys may cause severe problems for your future tenants. Renters desire a sense of security in their rental properties. Yet, if previous renters still have a key to the property, that feeling of security could be a dangerous illusion. You may be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs on the property if a previous occupant or someone to whom they handed a key gains unauthorized entry. You will also lose your renter’s trust, which may lead to canceled leases and costly turnover. Re-keying the locks is advisable to ensure renter safety.
Increased Appeal
Although the cost of re-keying the locks between renters may seem like an inconvenience, you can use it as a selling point for your property. If a prospective renter is concerned about security, you can lessen their doubts by ensuring that their locks have been re-keyed; like this, they may select 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 mechanical expertise, you might be able to re-key the locks on your rental property. The work is relatively easy but requires a certain level of skill. Furthermore, re-keying the locks is cheaper than purchasing a new lock, knob, or deadbolt.
But if you want to ensure the job gets done right, you should consider hiring a professional to come in and do it for you. A professional locksmith can check the work and give you more confidence the re-key was done correctly. The most important thing is to get it done properly and have a fresh set of keys to provide to your new tenant.
Alternatives to Re-Keying
Today’s landlords are in search of other ways to safeguard their property and renters. Rather than 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. Implementing a keyless entry system that relies on a code instead of a physical key can potentially eliminate the need for re-keying your house entirely. Modern keyless entry systems exist, which require unlocking through a mobile app. Even though the initial cost of these options may be higher, the benefit is that you can quickly replace the key code or smart key tool alone. A keyless entry system could result in significant savings over time.
Property owners often experience chaos when renters move out. Instead of doing it yourself, why not choose Real Property Management Beacon? The property managers in our locality exhibit proficiency in managing all aspects of the move-out procedure and possess the ability to find a reliable renter for your property! For more information, contact us online or call us at 603-448-8808.
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