A tenant moves out. Keys get handed back. The property looks fine.
It’s easy to assume everything’s sorted and move on to the next tenant.
But here’s the part most landlords overlook:
You don’t know how many copies of those keys are out there.
Over the course of a tenancy, keys get shared. Partners, cleaners, contractors, friends. Sometimes they’re lost. Sometimes they’re never returned.
And once someone has a key — you’ve got no control over it.
That’s why changing locks between tenants isn’t just good practice. It’s essential.
We often get called in just before new tenants move in — sometimes the same day. The goal is simple: reset access completely.
That means:
- Replacing or rekeying external door locks
- Checking windows and secondary entry points
- Making sure everything meets insurance standards
It’s also the perfect time to upgrade.
If the property still has older cylinders, especially ones vulnerable to snapping, we’ll usually recommend moving to a 3-star lock. It’s a small change that makes a big difference to security.
For landlords managing multiple properties or HMOs, we might suggest a master key system — something that gives access where needed, without compromising tenant privacy.
Most of the time, the whole process is quick. Done in one visit. No disruption.
And when the next tenant walks through the door, you know one thing for certain:
They’re the only ones with keys.
