As a landlord, you have several non-negotiable responsibilities. Rekeying your rental property between leases should rank near the top of that list.
The Problem: Keys Multiply, and You Lose Track
You understand the importance of securing your property and keeping unauthorized visitors out. However, do you always consider how many tenants, contractors, friends, and service providers may have keys to your rental?
A former tenant may return the original keys at the end of the lease. Still, they may have made copies for family members or friends “just in case.”
Friends, neighbors, dog walkers, cleaners, contractors, and roommates may all have copies. Landlords have no reliable way to track every key.
You may hold one set of house keys, but other copies could remain in glove compartments, on keychains, or inside junk drawers. Those keys can open your rental property just as easily today as they did during the lease.
That uncertainty creates an unnecessary security risk for you and your next tenant.
The Solution: Rekey After Every Lease
Rekeying changes the pins inside an existing lock so the old key no longer works. Most locks support this process.
This service gives landlords and property owners control over who can enter the building without requiring them to replace every lock. The lock stays in place, but only the newly issued keys can open it.
D Express Locksmith can also install a master key system. This system allows a landlord or property manager to open multiple units with one master key while giving each tenant a key that only opens their individual unit.
Rekeying usually costs less than replacing the locks, especially in apartment buildings and multifamily properties with several doors.
Tenants come and go. A starter rental home could have five different leases during its first ten years. Without rekeying, five former tenants could still have keys to the property.
Our technicians can usually rekey a single lock in 10 to 15 minutes. Depending on the number and condition of the locks, we can often complete an entire rental property in less than an hour.
If you have questions about the process, our team will gladly explain your options.
Why Rekeying Matters for Philadelphia-Area Landlords
Security starts with access control.
You may have signed the new lease, collected the deposit, and carefully screened the incoming tenant. However, you cannot assume the previous tenant left the property completely secure.
Rekeying between leases gives you a fresh start and restores control over property access. It becomes especially important if you noticed suspicious activity during the previous lease or if someone lost a key.
A tenant may also visit a hardware store or another locksmith to copy a key without notifying you. Rekeying makes every previous copy useless.
D Express Locksmith understands the rental market throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Philadelphia County. We help landlords protect single-family rentals, apartment units, multifamily properties, and commercial spaces.
What to Do About Lost or Stolen Keys
Always ask about rekeying when you report lost or stolen keys.
Cutting a replacement from an existing key does not eliminate the security risk. The missing key and any earlier copies will still open the lock.
Rekeying solves the underlying problem by changing the internal configuration of the lock. After our technician completes the service, the missing key will no longer provide access.
When you call D Express Locksmith, our team will review the situation and recommend the most practical way to secure your property.
Fast, Reliable Locksmith Service for Landlords
D Express Locksmith provides 24/7 service for landlords, homeowners, businesses, and anyone who needs an experienced local locksmith.
If you need emergency locksmith assistance in Ambler or the surrounding Philadelphia suburbs, call (267) 551-6815. We can send a technician to help you regain access and secure your property.
We service rental properties throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Philadelphia County.
What to Do Next
Protecting your rental property between leases only takes one call.
Book by Phone
Call (267) 551-6815 and speak with one of our customer service representatives. We will schedule a convenient time to rekey your locks.
Book Online
Visit dexpresslock.com and complete the online contact form. Our team will contact you as soon as possible.
D Express Locksmith proudly serves landlords throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, Philadelphia County, and the surrounding communities. If you need to prepare your property for new renters, our team stands ready to help.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does the Rental Property Rekeying Process Involve?
A technician will visit the property and adjust the pins inside each applicable lock. We carry the parts and equipment necessary to complete most rekeying services on-site.
After making the changes, the technician will provide new keys and test each lock to confirm that everything works properly.
Can You Rekey One Unit Within a Master Key System?
Yes. If only one tenant moves out, we can rekey that unit without changing the entire master key system.
The landlord’s master key will continue to open every authorized unit. However, the former tenant’s key will no longer open the rekeyed lock.
This approach saves time and money while preserving the convenience of the existing master key system.
Do You Rekey Single Apartments?
Absolutely. We can rekey one apartment or one lock within a multifamily building.
In a properly configured master key system, the landlord’s key will continue to open the unit. The new tenant’s key will only open that specific apartment.
Do I Need to Replace the Locks?
In many cases, you can keep the existing locks and simply rekey them. This option usually costs less than full replacement.
However, we may recommend replacement if a lock looks old, broken, damaged, unreliable, or unsuitable for the property. Our technician can inspect the hardware and explain the available options during the visit.
Where Do You Provide Rekeying Services?
D Express Locksmith serves Ambler and communities throughout Montgomery County, Bucks County, and Philadelphia County.
Our service area includes:
- Lansdale
- Horsham
- Blue Bell
- Ambler
- Glenside
- Norristown
- Conshohocken
- King of Prussia
- Areas near Temple University’s Ambler Campus
- Other surrounding Philadelphia suburbs
We operate from Ambler, Pennsylvania, and provide mobile rekeying and 24/7 emergency locksmith services throughout the region.
Call D Express Locksmith at (267) 551-6815 today to secure your rental property before the next tenant moves in.