It’s rare that all keys are turned over to the new owner of a property once you take possession. Rekeying your locks is the only way to ensure your home is secure against unwanted access from former key holders. 

Rekeying should take place as soon as possible after you take possession of a property.

While you’re having your house rekeyed, also consider rekeying your garage locks and the locks on any storage buildings.

The short answer is yes. Many new houses are built as part of a larger development that includes multiple homes. In many cases, the locks have a feature built into the lock called “construction keying.” This feature is a nice convenience for the developer during construction, but it creates a security risk for owners once they take possession of their home. Rekeying is the only way to ensure the developer does not have access to your home once you move in.

It depends on the condition and the suitability of the locks on your doors. In some cases, the existing locks can be used, but new locks may need to be installed.

In an older house, different types of locks may have been installed over the years, all of varying quality and using questionable installation techniques.

Contact an ALOA member to discuss your rekeying needs.

It depends on the age of your house and your comfort level with hand tools. The installation holes for most newer houses are standard sizes, so replacing locks can be a moderately easy task — especially if you only have to change one or two locks and you have the proper tools. But if your house is an older house or you have many locks that need to be changed, you may want to consult with an ALOA locksmith.

It is recommended to change the locks on the apartment when you move in, but it’s very important to contact the rental office to check on their lock change policies. They may require that new lock changes be incorporated into an existing master key system, or you may need to supply them with an operating key if you change your own locks. 

There may be specific lock change policies in place by the property owner, and there may also be local ordinances that have to be considered as well. As a renter, you should insist that the locks be changed or, at the very least, get it in writing as to why the property owner does not want to change the locks.

Many factors need to be considered when selecting the type of locks to install on your doors, such as:

• The construction of the door and frame

• The level of security you need

• If you need to minimize the amount of key duplication for security purposes