Should You Rekey or Change Locks After Moving Into a New House?

Who May Still Have a Key After You Move?

Previous owners, tenants, agents, contractors, cleaners, pet sitters, relatives, neighbors, or lockbox users may have had access before closing. New construction can also involve temporary access during the build. The practical problem is not proving who has a copy; it is deciding whether any old copy should still work.

Should You Rekey or Replace?

Rekeying changes the cylinder so old keys stop working while the existing hardware stays in place. Replacement changes the lock hardware itself. If the locks operate smoothly and match your needs, rekeying is usually the cleaner first move. If the locks are damaged, loose, mismatched, or not the function you want, replacement is the better conversation.

• Rekey: $19-$110+ per lock; typical 3-lock home $75-$150+
• Replace: from $65 + hardware, with final cost based on lock type and door condition
• Detailed comparison: rekey vs replace locks

What Should Be on the Move-In Access Checklist?

Walk the property and list every way someone can enter before you call. Exterior door keys are only the start. Garage remotes, keypad codes, gate cards, smart-lock users, mailbox keys, shed locks, and detached-garage doors may each need a different reset path.

• Front, back, garage-entry, patio, and detached-building doors
• Garage remotes and opener codes
• Smart-lock users, codes, and app access
• Gate, mailbox, storage, and padlock keys

Should Renters Change Locks After Moving In?

Renters should check the lease and ask the landlord or property manager before changing hardware. In many rentals, the safer path is a documented request to rekey or confirm who controls copies, not an unauthorized lock change that could violate the lease or block emergency access.

When Is a Move a Good Time to Upgrade?

A move is a practical time to inspect security, but this article should not duplicate a full hardware-grade guide. If the door frame is weak, the deadbolt is loose, the latch misses the strike, or you want smart-lock access, use the home security upgrade guide and smart lock selection guide for deeper decisions.

What Should You Tell the Locksmith?

Count the locks, note the brand if visible, describe any sticking or loose hardware, and say whether you want one key for multiple doors. Have proof that you own or are authorized to change the property. That information helps the quote stay tied to the actual job.

Frequently Asked Questions