When you get the keys to a new home, it is natural to assume they are the only ones. In reality, you have no way of knowing how many copies exist or who holds them. Rekeying the locks when you move in is one of the simplest, lowest-cost ways to make sure only your household can get through the front door.
What does it mean to rekey a lock?
Rekeying changes the small pins inside a lock cylinder so that it works with a new key. The lock body stays on the door, but old keys stop working. Done properly by a locksmith, it is just as effective at shutting out old keys as replacing the lock, and it usually costs less because you are not buying new hardware.
You don't know who else has a key
Keys collect copies over the years. Before you moved in, keys may have been given to:
- Previous owners or tenants, and their family and friends
- Real estate agents and property managers
- Cleaners, gardeners and repair crews
- Former roommates, house sitters and pet sitters
Even when a seller or landlord says every key has been collected, there is no way to account for copies cut along the way.
A practical, affordable security upgrade
Rekeying is far less expensive than replacing every lock in the house, and a typical home is usually done in a single visit. It is also a good moment to have every exterior door keyed alike, so one key opens the front door, back door and garage service door. Fewer keys on the ring means fewer to lose.
Peace of mind for your family
Moving is stressful enough without wondering who might be able to let themselves in. Rekeying removes that uncertainty. Once it is done, you know exactly how many keys exist and who has them.
Renters: ask before you change anything
If you rent, check your lease and ask your landlord before arranging any lock work. Asking for the locks to be rekeyed between tenants is a reasonable request, and many landlords do it as standard. If your landlord hasn't, offer to arrange and pay for rekeying yourself with their written permission, and give them a copy of the new key.
Rekey after renovations too
You don't have to be moving to benefit. After major work on a home you've lived in for years, contractors, electricians and painters may have had keys, and not all of them may have come back. Rekeying at the end of a project closes that gap.
Rekeying vs. replacing: which is better?
Rekeying makes sense when your locks are in good working order and the goal is to make old keys useless at the lowest cost. Replacement is the better choice when:
- You want higher-security or smart locks
- The locks are old, rusty, sticking or damaged
- You want a different finish or style
A locksmith can look at each door and help you balance budget against security.
Don't wait for a reason
Many people only think about their locks after something goes wrong. If you have just moved, or you are about to, put rekeying on your moving checklist alongside changing your address and setting up utilities.
Rekeying in Agoura Hills
Agoura Hills Locksmith Store rekeys homes across Agoura Hills and Oak Park, installs replacement and smart locks, and provides emergency lockout help. See our residential locksmith services or call 818-531-9691 for a quote.
