Changing locks after a tenant moves out is an important step in reducing the property owner’s liability, maintaining a competent and trustworthy property management process and property security, and protecting prospective tenants’ privacy and safety. This gives a safe and secure living environment for both the property owner and the new tenants, as well as a new set of keys and peace of mind. Re-keying your rental property assured that your rental property will be better protected and better managed.
Property Security
Whether or not your property is currently occupied, landlords should prioritize security. Tenants may still have access to the property even after they have moved out. By re-keying the property, you may eliminate the risk and make sure that only authorized people have access to the property. Even temporarily vacant properties can become candidates for criminal mischief and burglary. To prevent criminal activity and keep your property secure, you must control who has access and at what times. You may make this simple by re-keying your property’s exterior doors the moment a tenant moves out.
Renter Safety
Unreturned keys can worsen the problem for your future tenants. Renters desire a sense of security in their rental properties. A false sense of safety may exist if the previous renters still have a key to the house. If a previous occupant or someone to whom they are given a key breaks in, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs. Plus, you will risk losing your renter’s trust, which might end up in canceled leases and costly turnover. Re-keying the locks is essential to ensure renter safety.
Increased Appeal
While the cost of re-keying the locks between renters may put you off, it can be used to your advantage when selling. If a prospective renter is concerned about security, knowing that all the locks have been re-keyed can put their mind at ease and make them choose 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
If you are mechanically inclined, you might be able to re-key the locks on your rental property yourself. It’s not that challenging, but it does require some skill. What is more, re-keying the locks is less expensive than changing the whole lock, knob, or deadbolt.
However, to ensure that the work gets done properly, you might consider hiring a professional to come in and do it for you. A professional locksmith can finish the task quickly and with more assurance that the re-key was done correctly. What’s most significant is that it is done right 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 on the lookout for innovative ways to safeguard their property and renters. Some property owners have found that implementing an electronic keypad or smart key solution is more cost-effective than re-keying the locks each time a renter moves out. If you have a keyless entry system installed, which requires a password instead of a physical key, you could eliminate the need for re-keying your house. Even more modern keyless entry systems now necessitate unlocking via a smartphone app. The key code or smart key tool can be updated quickly, but these options are more expensive. A keyless entry system could bring about significant savings over time.
The departure of a renter is often an awful experience for landlords. Instead of handling this on your own, why not have Real Property Management Shoreline handle it for you? Our local property managers are experts in finding you a fantastic new tenant and taking care of all the details associated with a tenant’s move-out. For more information, contact us online or call us at 361-885-0500.
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