You should immediately change your smart apartment door locks if you find the slightest issue. Apartment lock change is done mainly in two ways; replacing and rekeying.
Both processes ensure that your lock is not operational with the old keys. In replacing process, the whole setup and locking mechanism get changed. On the other hand, only the critical pattern of the lock is redesigned in rekeying.
Rekeying is especially helpful in case of lost keys. Moving to a new house, you should get your locks changed, cleaned, and unpacked. If the last locks are stable, only rekeying them will also work.
It is crucial while shifting to a new place because you never know who can access the old keys. Here, we will discuss all the required information that you should know for changing your apartment locks.
You sign the lease contract and other legal disclosures when you shift to an apartment. The contract usually also means that you can do minimal constructional work in the apartment at your own will.
For example, a tenant can change the apartment’s locks whenever possible.
There is no restriction for an apartment lock change if you own the apartment. However, it is mandatory that you immediately provide new keys to the tenants when you change your locks as an owner.
Sometimes, owners change the lock to restrict the current tenant’s entry. These activities are illegal if your tenancy contract hasn’t dissolved or you have a legal restriction order.
Similarly, if you are a tenant and have changed the apartment locks for any reason, you must inform the landlord beforehand. After the apartment lock change, you must also hand out the new lock keys to the landlord.
The locks are the primary security of the houses. So if you live in a house with a weak locking system, it ultimately threatens your safety. It becomes crucial to keep the locking system streamlined and upgraded.
Sometimes, when you see a few loose screws or manhandling in your locks, it’s time to repair or change them. Your previous locking system may get old and inefficient after a few years.
In such a case also, you should think about changing your locks. Issues of corrosion and rust are widespread in places with high humidity, which also hinders the locks’ performance. If you have iron locks, then the rusting issue is very challenging.
When you shift to a new place, it’s prudent to undergo a process of an apartment lock change. Because there are chances that previous tenants still have access to your current locks, this can be dwelling on the safety front. So to ensure complete safety, you should get an apartment lock change.
The primary causes of apartment lock change are new tenants, lock system failures, etc., which we mentioned above. However, several other significant reasons may lead to an apartment lock change.
When you encounter any burglary or break-in, an apartment lock change becomes necessary. In cases of theft, the locking system should be completely renewed.
Also, if you share your apartment with a roommate who has moved out, it’s time to change the lock system.
It would be best to change your apartment locks when your roommate or flatmate decides to shift because no matter how trustworthy they are, it’s still a concern for your security.
Other reasons for changing apartment locks are losing keys or not working appropriately.
You should contact a well-designated lock system agency or a mechanic to change apartment locks. The lock system of your home is a sensitive matter because it directly impacts your safety. So make sure that you only contact legally authorized lock system providers.
The installation processes of the locking system are sometimes covered by the end of lock system providers. However, if not, contacting your old locksmith is a feasible option. You can also ask your family and friends to find a trustworthy locksmith.
In authorization, the landlord and tenant can change apartment locks.
You can change apartment locks anytime if you own the apartment and live there. However, as a landlord, you become partially accountable to your tenants. Therefore, it would be best if you informed them last apartment lock change.
Similarly, you need to provide the keys immediately to avoid any inconvenience. When dealing with an uncooperative tenant, you must take the matter more seriously.
Consult with your landlord or tenant first if you plan on an apartment lock change. Various agencies are available in the market for the outsourcing of locking systems.
Most offer a wide range of lock systems, including video locks, face locks, thumbprints, etc. In addition, you can opt for online appointments with just one click.
You can choose among various locks like a deadbolt, mortise lock, padlock, smart lock, etc. A deadbolt comes out as the most efficient and cost-effective among all these.
The global digital door lock system value is approximately $9 billion until 2022. This critical data indicates that people opt for digital locks more than regular and manual locks.
However, the cost difference between a manual and a digital lock is also remarkable.
You can indeed change the locks of your apartment as a landlord. The situation can be divided into scenarios:
You can change the locks anytime if your tenant has left the apartment. First, however, you need to ensure that there is no tenancy period left in which the tenant can return.
When the tenant is still residing in the apartment, you must inform them beforehand in the second scenario. It would help inform your tenants that you are changing the apartment locks and immediately provide them with the new keys.
You can also discuss appropriately scheduling the apartment lock change process for both parties.
Changing the lock system is no legal necessity if you welcome a new tenant. However, to ensure the safety of your apartment and the new residents, you should change apartment locks.
You are going to live in that apartment. Therefore, you have the absolute right to ensure your safety. Changing the lock system of your new apartment is utterly suitable as a tenant.
But you must ensure that you inform and discuss it with your landlord. After the apartment lock change, you must also provide critical access to your landlord.
The critical access of the landlord is helpful in case you get locked out of your apartment.
Similarly, it is also beneficial for the maintenance purpose of the apartment. The landlord has the legal right to demand the same apartment time most of the time. The legal tenancy contract terms can also be inferred in this aspect.
However, you are entirely right to change your locking system as a tenant after informing the landlord.
Whether or not you need a locksmith to change the apartment will depend on different factors.
The intelligent apartment locks you install will determine if you need a locksmith.
If you change the traditional doorknob or lock, you can install it easily. Transforming a conventional door lock will not require you to reach out to a locksmith.
If you want to change a smart door lock, you will need the help of professionals. Technicians are readily available to change the intelligent apartment door lock.
Changing the smart apartment door lock can be a complicated process. Therefore, it is necessary to reach out to professionals.
A professional locksmith can provide you with sufficient guidance to help you. These locks usually need to be opened using a pin.
The apartment lock change process can vary depending on your type of lock. The cost to change locks apartment depends upon the quality also. You can expect the price to change locks flat to lie between $80 to $300 for a lock.
If you opt for professional installation, it costs up to $200. If you opt for rekeying an apartment, its price is lower than replacing it. The tenant and the landlord can share the cost of changing the locked apartment.
However, it depends on personal preferences and the legal contract.
Of course, you can use intelligent electronic Bluetooth apartment locks to avoid frequent apartment lock changes. Using a smart apartment lock can have the following benefits:
There are a few things that you should avoid doing while the apartment lock change process;
Let’s answer a few questions regarding the apartment lock change process.
There is no legal obligation for the landlord to change the apartment’s locks for the new tenant.
However, regarding security, the landlord should change the locks as the previous residents might have the keys to the apartment. This can be unsafe for the protection of the new tenant. So tenants can request an apartment lock change by conversing properly with the landlord.
If the landlord is not changing the apartment locks, a tenant can change the locks independently but not without permission. They must take a license from the landlord and provide a key for the new lock.
However, this also depends upon the legal contract signed by both parties for the tenancy. In addition, sometimes landlords restrict the tenants from doing any construction activity at their place.
Yes, the landlord can ask for a key to their apartment. However, the tenant is accountable for providing complete access to the landlord for their property.
Although, during the process, the tenant’s privacy should not be hindered. Sometimes, the landlord is responsible for demanding a duplicate key at their own expense.
You can install a good-quality deadbolt to make your apartment door more secure without changing the lock. Replacing the strike plate is also a good option for stronger your deadbolt. You can also add hinge bolts to your apartment door lock.
In addition, adding sash jammers to your apartment helps enhance the restriction for forcibly opening the door. Finally, adding barricades and installing a door wedge is also a great way of improving your security.
You can change the locks for the high-security locks. If you are a tenant, you need to discuss this with your landlord first, and only then can you proceed further. Also, you need to provide your landlord access to the locking system.
As a landlord, you must inform your residents and immediately access them. The high-security locks are beneficial for preventing break-ins or theft.
As mentioned above, the landlords have no legal compulsion to change the apartment’s locks. However, in case of break-ins or theft, the residents can request an apartment door lock change.
But it is entirely the owner’s say whether he wants to change the locks. Therefore, residents and landlords should negotiate a mutual agreement for changing the locks if required. This will avoid any disputes later. Tenants and owners can also arrange the cost of replacing the locks.
I hope this article has answered all the queries related to apartment lock change.
