How Often Should You Rekey Your Home in Phoenix?
As a homeowner, your security needs evolve over time—but how often should you actually rekey your locks?
It’s one of the most common questions we hear from residents throughout Phoenix, from Arcadia Lite to Estrella Village and everywhere in between. Rekeying your home isn’t just something you do once—it should be part of your long-term home maintenance strategy.
In this post, we’ll break down when, why, and how often you should rekey your home in Phoenix, and how it helps keep your family and property safe without breaking the bank.
What Does Rekeying Actually Do?
Rekeying changes the internal pins of your existing lock so that it works with a new key. It renders all previous keys useless—but without the need to replace the entire lock or door hardware.
It’s fast, affordable, and one of the most effective ways to maintain control over who can access your home.
Whether you live in Midtown, Deer Valley, or North Mountain Village, rekeying is a smart way to stay ahead of potential security risks.
General Rule of Thumb: Every 2 to 5 Years
While there’s no universal rekeying schedule, most Phoenix homeowners should plan to rekey their homes every 2 to 5 years, depending on lifestyle, property use, and changes in circumstances.
Let’s explore some of the specific triggers that might mean it’s time to rekey—sooner rather than later.
1. After Moving Into a New Home
This one’s non-negotiable.
Even if the seller gave you all the keys, you can’t know for sure who else might still have a copy—family members, old roommates, neighbors, contractors, or even previous short-term guests.
If you’ve just bought a home in neighborhoods like Alhambra, Laveen, or Desert View, rekeying your locks should be one of the first things you do.
2. After a Breakup or Roommate Move-Out
If someone who used to live with you no longer does—whether it’s a romantic partner, spouse, or roommate—it’s smart to rekey. Even if you trust that person, there’s no guarantee they didn’t make a copy or share their key with someone else.
We’ve helped homeowners throughout Biltmore, Willo, and Garfield feel safe again after relationship changes with fast, discreet rekeying.
3. After a Lost or Stolen Key
Misplacing your key happens—but if it’s truly lost and could be traced to your address, you should rekey as soon as possible.
This also applies if your purse, backpack, or car was stolen with a house key inside. Better safe than sorry.
4. After Renovations or Contractor Access
Contractors, painters, electricians, and home service providers may have needed access to your home over the course of several days or weeks. Even if they returned the key or code, there’s no guarantee that it wasn’t duplicated or shared with subcontractors.
In active remodeling areas like Paradise Valley Village or Eastlake Park, we often recommend rekeying after major renovation projects.
5. After a Break-In or Suspicious Activity
If someone has tried to access your home—or worse, successfully entered—it’s time to rekey, immediately. Even if the intruder didn’t use a key, they may have compromised the locks, or may now know your home’s layout and access points.
Rekeying gives you instant peace of mind that anyone who previously had access no longer can get in.
6. When Tenants Move Out (for Landlords)
Landlords should rekey after every lease ends. This protects the next tenant, your property, and you from potential liability.
Whether you rent out single-family homes in Central Phoenix or manage duplexes in South Mountain, rekeying should be standard operating procedure.
7. If You’ve Given Out Too Many Spare Keys
Over time, spare keys can accumulate—friends, family, pet sitters, cleaning crews. If you’re unsure who still has access, it’s probably time for a reset.
Some homeowners choose to rekey annually for this exact reason, especially in high-traffic homes with frequent visitors or services.
8. You Haven’t Rekeyed in Years
Even if nothing major has happened, if it’s been more than 3–5 years since you last rekeyed, it’s worth doing. Locks wear down, key security becomes harder to track, and peace of mind fades.
A fresh rekey ensures your security is up to date and that your key control is tight.
What If I Have a Smart Lock?
Even with smart locks, rekeying may still be necessary—especially if your model includes a backup keyway.
We can rekey the physical portion of your smart lock, and help reset your digital access codes to eliminate old users. In tech-forward neighborhoods like Roosevelt Row and Midtown, this dual approach is increasingly common.
Rekeying vs. Replacing: Which Makes More Sense?
Rekeying is the better option in most cases because it:
- Costs less
- Maintains your current hardware
- Takes less time
- Offers the same security benefit
Replacement is only necessary if your hardware is damaged, outdated, or you’re upgrading to a completely different system.
The Cost of Waiting Too Long
Not rekeying often enough can lead to:
- Unwanted access
- Legal liability (especially for landlords)
- Stress and anxiety
- More costly security upgrades later
We’ve seen situations across Grand Avenue, Camelback East, and South Phoenix where homeowners regretted not rekeying sooner—after lost keys, relationship changes, or even burglaries.
How Long Does Rekeying Take?
In most cases, rekeying an entire home takes less than an hour. We can rekey all exterior locks to work with a single key if desired. Our mobile locksmiths come to your location and handle everything on-site—no trips to the hardware store, no downtime.
We offer flexible scheduling throughout Phoenix and same-day or next-day service in most cases.
Ready to Rekey? We’ve Got You Covered.
At Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm, we specialize in residential rekeying across the greater Phoenix area. Whether you’re in Coronado, Sunnyslope, Midtown, or anywhere in between—we bring fast, professional, affordable locksmith service right to your door.
Our services include:
- Rekeying for all residential lock types
- Master keying (one key for multiple doors)
- Smart lock rekeying
- Spare key duplication
- Lock assessments and upgrades
Book your rekeying service today and take control of your home security again.
When’s the Best Time to Rekey? Before You Wish You Had.
Don’t wait for something to go wrong. Rekey your locks every few years—or after any major life change—and feel safer in your Phoenix home today.
Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
📞 (602) 854-2766
🌐 affordablesecurityphoenix.com