Changing locks after a tenant vacates is essential for a variety of reasons, such as property security, preserving incoming tenants’ privacy and safety, keeping an efficient and reliable property management procedure, and lowering responsibility for the property owner. This gives a safe and secure living environment for both the landlord and the new tenants, as well as a new set of keys and a sense of trust. Re-keying your rental property also lowers your liability risk, leading to a more safe and responsible property management approach.
Property Security
Whether or not your property is currently inhabited, landlords should prioritize security. When tenants vacate, there is always the risk that they may still have duplicate keys. By re-keying the property, you avoid this threat and guarantee that those who have permission have access. Even briefly vacant properties can become candidates for criminal mischief and burglary. To keep your property secure and deter illegal activities, you must be able to manage who has access to it and when. You can simplify this by re-keying your property’s exterior doors once a tenant moves out.
Renter Safety
Unreturned keys worsen the problem for your future tenants. Renters want a sense of security in their rental properties. Yet, if previous renters still have a key to the property, that sense of security could be a dangerous illusion. If a previous occupant or someone to whom they issued a key trespass, you may be held liable for any damage or injury that occurs. You will also lose your renter’s confidence, which may lead to 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 might discourage you, you can utilize it as an advantage when selling your property. If the prospective renter is concerned about security, you can alleviate their worries by guaranteeing that their locks have been re-keyed; as a result, they may prefer your property over similar rentals in the area. If you can increase demand for your property in this manner, you can charge a slightly higher rent and rapidly recoup the cost of changing the locks.
Hire a Professional
Contingent upon your level of technical ability, you might be able to re-key the locks on your rental property yourself. While not tough, it does necessitate a bit of expertise. Moreover, re-keying the locks is more affordable than changing the entire lock, knob, or deadbolt.
Nevertheless, to ensure the job is completed correctly, you should consider hiring a professional to enter and handle it. A professional locksmith will be able to do the job more quickly and with greater assurance that the re-key was done correctly. The most significant aspect is that it is executed properly, and you have a fresh set of keys to provide to your new tenant.
Alternatives to Re-Keying
Today’s landlords are searching for new approaches to safeguard their property and renters. Rather than re-keying the locks each time a renter moves out, some landlords feel that installing an electronic keypad or smart key solution is more cost-effective. For instance, using a keyless entry system that requires a code rather than a physical key could eliminate the need for re-keying your house completely. Even more modern keyless entry systems require unlocking via a smartphone app. While such options are initially more costly, the good thing is that you can easily change the security code or smart key tool. A keyless entry system could lead to significant savings over time.
Renter move-out may be a stressful time for property owners. Why not delegate this task to the experts at Real Property Management New York Gold? Our local property managers are experienced in handling all aspects of the move-out procedure and can also help you find a terrific new renter! To find out more, contact us online or call us at 347-905-5770.
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