Changing locks after a tenant moves out is vital for many reasons, including property security, safeguarding the privacy and safety of future tenants, maintaining a reputable and professional property management method, and lowering responsibility for the property owner. This results in a fresh set of keys, confidence, and a safe and secure living environment for both the property owner and the new tenants. Re-keying your rental property also lowers the possibility of liability, resulting in a safer and more responsible approach to property management.
Property Security
Whether or not your house is rented out, landlords should prioritize security. There is always a chance that former tenants may have kept duplicates of the keys. This risk can be eliminated, and you can be sure that only people with permission can enter the building by re-keying the property. Even momentarily vacant properties can end up being the subject of criminal mischief and burglary. To keep your property secure and deter criminal acts, you must be able to control who has access to it and when. Re-keying your property’s exterior doors as soon as a tenant moves out will help.
Renter Safety
Unreturned keys become an even bigger problem for your future tenants. Renters desire a sense of security in their rental properties. However, if previous renters still have a key to the house, that feeling of security could be a dangerous illusion. If a previous occupant or someone to whom they gave a key breaks in, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs. You will also lose your renter’s trust, which may result in canceled leases and costly turnover. Re-keying the locks is essential to ensure renter safety.
Increased Appeal
Although the cost of re-keying the locks between renters might turn you off, you can use it as a marketing feature for your property. By making sure that the locks have been re-keyed, you may ease any worries that a prospective renter is concerned about security and encourage them to choose your property over similar rentals in the area. If you can increase demand for your property in this fashion, you can charge a slightly higher rent and easily recoup the cost of having the locks re-keyed.
Hire a Professional
You might be able to re-key the locks on your rental property yourself, according to your level of mechanical expertise. It is not difficult, but some knowledge is necessary. Plus, re-keying the locks is more affordable than purchasing a new lock, knob, or deadbolt.
You might consider hiring a professional to come in and complete the process for you, though, to ensure that the task is done correctly. A professional locksmith can complete the process faster and with better assurance that the re-key was done correctly. The most crucial thing is that it is completed correctly and that you have a whole fresh set of keys to provide to your new tenant.
Alternatives to Re-Keying
Today’s landlords are seeking alternative strategies to safeguard their property and renters. Some landlords find installing an electronic keypad or smart key solution more cost-effective than re-keying the locks each time a renter moves out. You could eliminate the need for re-keying your house if you install a keyless entry system that relies on a code rather than a physical key. Modern keyless entry systems can even require a smartphone app to unlock them. Although these options are initially more expensive, one benefit is that you can rapidly replace the key code or smart key tool yourself. A keyless entry system could result in significant savings over time.
Property owners may experience stress when renters move out. Why not let Real Property Management Traditions experts handle it for you? The move-out procedure is no problem for our local property managers, who can also help you discover a fantastic new renter! For more information, contact us online or call us at 661-266-1400.
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