Rekey or Replace Advice for Landlords After a Tenant Moves Out

Turns a locksmith's notes about each lock at a rental into a clear written recommendation for the landlord: rekey it or replace it, with the reason and the cost for each door.

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Before and after

BEFORE · what the owner typed

landlord is Dina Sweeney, her place at 3332 Fawnview St, Aspenhollow. tenant Dmitri Tucker moved out, he gave back the front key but never found the back door key. I'm Edgar Welch at Goldview Lock and Key. what I found: front door has a Kwikset Smartkey deadbolt, works great, no damage. back door has an old Gatke brass knob lock, sticks bad when you turn it, latch is worn and one screw hole is stripped. side gate padlock is a Chicago Lock Co. cam lock on the mailbox, fine, just needs rekey. rekey is $18 per lock, new deadbolt installed with 2 keys is $95, new knob set installed with 2 keys is $64. service charge is $40. she wants 2 keys on each lock. she asked if she can take it out of his deposit, no idea. my number is 336-555-0150

AFTER · what the skill produced

Hi Dina,

Thanks for having Goldview Lock and Key out to 3332 Fawnview St in Aspenhollow. We went through every lock after Dmitri Tucker moved out. We recommend rekeying two locks and replacing one. Here is each lock.

Front door, Kwikset Smartkey deadbolt: We recommend a rekey. The lock works smoothly and we found no damage. Rekeying changes the inside of the lock so the old keys no longer work, and you get 2 new keys. Price: $18.
Back door, Gatke brass knob lock: We recommend a replacement. The lock sticks badly when turned, the latch is worn, and one screw hole is stripped. Replacing means we install new hardware with 2 new keys. Price: $64.
Mailbox, Chicago Lock Co. cam lock: We recommend a rekey. The lock is in good shape and the only issue is that the old keys may still work. You get 2 new keys. Price: $18.

Total:

Rekey, 2 locks at $18 = $36
Replace back door knob set = $64
Service charge = $40
Total = $140

Dmitri gave back the front door key but did not return the back door key. We recommend changing that lock, which the replacement covers. Because the old back door key is still out, we also recommend the front and mailbox rekeys so none of his old keys work.

On your question about taking the cost out of his deposit, that is a question for an attorney or your local landlord-tenant rules. We can't advise on that. Please also confirm any local rules about lock changes between tenants.

If you'd like to go ahead, call me at 336-555-0150.

Edgar Welch
Goldview Lock and Key

Questions for the owner

Is the mailbox lock number and key count confirmed as 2 keys, as for the other locks?
Does Dina want the locks keyed alike, or each on its own key?
What date would you like to schedule the work?

What it does

Turns a locksmith's notes about each lock at a rental into a clear written recommendation for the landlord: rekey it or replace it, with the reason and the cost for each door. Handles one door or a whole building.

Use it when: Use when a landlord or property manager asks a locksmith whether to rekey or replace locks after a tenant moves out, such as "rekey or replace?", "tenant moved out, what do I do with the locks?", or "advice on the locks for turnover."