Moved Into a New Home in Phoenix? Here’s What Happens If You Don’t Rekey
You’ve signed the paperwork, packed the truck, and picked up the keys to your new home in Phoenix. Congratulations!
But before you start unpacking…
Ask yourself: “Who else might still have a key to this house?”
If you didn’t rekey the locks immediately after closing, your home may not be as secure as you think. Whether you moved into a beautiful new build in Laveen or a cozy fixer-upper in Garfield, skipping rekeying leaves you exposed to real and unnecessary risks.
In this post, we’ll break down what happens when you don’t rekey after moving into a new home, why it’s such a crucial step, and how Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix can help you protect your space and your family.
🔓 Why Rekeying After Moving In Is a Must
Even if the locks look secure, the truth is simple: you don’t know who else has a copy of your keys.
That includes:
- The previous owner
- Realtors
- Contractors and cleaners
- Neighbors, friends, or family of the former owner
- Home inspectors, handymen, or appraisers
- Airbnb guests (if it was a short-term rental)
If you didn’t rekey your locks, all of those people could still have access.
🔐 What Is Rekeying, Exactly?
Rekeying changes the internal configuration of your lock so that:
- Old keys stop working completely
- New keys are issued on-site
- Your existing hardware stays in place (no full replacements)
It’s quick, affordable, and gives you complete control over who has access to your home.
👉 Learn how rekeying works and why it’s better than replacing locks
⚠️ What Happens If You Don’t Rekey?
Let’s look at the real risks:
1. You Could Be Robbed Without a Break-In
No broken windows. No forced entry. Just someone walking in with an old key.
It happens more than people realize—especially in neighborhoods with lots of rental turnover, like Maryvale or parts of Tempe.
2. Someone Could Be Watching Your Routine
If a neighbor or ex-tenant still has a key, they may be able to come and go while you’re at work—especially if they know the layout and schedule.
3. Your Insurance Claim Could Be Denied
Many homeowner’s insurance policies require you to take “reasonable security precautions.” Failing to rekey may count as negligence if there’s unauthorized entry without forced access.
4. You Could Be Liable for an Incident
If someone gets hurt, steals something, or damages property because they had leftover access—it could fall back on you, even if you didn’t give them the key.
5. It Creates Ongoing Anxiety
Even if nothing bad happens, many new homeowners feel uneasy until they know 100% that they’re the only ones with keys. Rekeying eliminates that doubt.
🤔 Didn’t the Previous Owner Turn in All the Keys?
Maybe. But even if they turned in two keys:
- Did they forget about a spare in their glovebox?
- Did their babysitter ever get a copy?
- Did their dog walker? House cleaner?
- Did a contractor borrow one during renovations?
- Did a family member make a backup without telling them?
The truth is, you’ll never know. So why take the chance?
🧠 Why Some People Don’t Rekey (and Why It’s a Mistake)
❌ “I didn’t think about it”
It’s easy to get distracted by unpacking, painting, and new furniture. But securing the space should be priority #1.
❌ “The locks looked fine”
A secure-looking deadbolt doesn’t mean you’re the only one who has a key.
❌ “It’s a new build—they said it was taken care of”
Even many new homes in Phoenix still use construction master keys during the building process—unless rekeyed properly, those keys may still work.
✅ What to Do Instead: Rekey ASAP
Step 1: Call a professional locksmith (like us!)
We’ll walk through the property, identify all exterior doors, and let you know what can (and can’t) be rekeyed.
Step 2: Choose how many keys you need
We cut them on-site—usually within minutes.
Step 3: Consider a “one-key system”
Want your front door, back door, garage entry, and side gate to all use one key? We can usually make that happen.
🧰 What We Rekey in a Typical Phoenix Home
We handle:
- Front and back doors
- Garage entry doors
- Side gates
- Patio sliders with keyed locks
- Smart locks with physical key backups
- Storage sheds or outdoor enclosures
Live in a historic home with old hardware? We can even rekey vintage locks or advise on safe upgrades.
🧠 Pro Tip: Don’t Forget Smart Lock Users
If the previous owner had:
- Smart locks connected to Wi-Fi
- App-based access (e.g. Schlage, Kwikset, Yale)
- Guest codes or digital users
We can help reset and reprogram the lock, remove past users, and ensure only you can control the access.
💲 How Much Does Rekeying Cost in Phoenix?
| Service | Avg. Cost |
|---|---|
| Rekeying 2–3 locks | $60–$90 total |
| Smart lock reset (optional) | +$15–$30 |
| One-key system setup | Included ✅ |
| Full-home key audit | Included ✅ |
📞 Click here to schedule your rekey service or call us at (602) 854-2766.
Neighborhoods We Serve for Move-In Rekeying
We help new homeowners across:
- Arcadia
- Garfield
- Biltmore
- Central Phoenix
- South Mountain
- Desert Ridge
- North Gateway
- Laveen
- Roosevelt Row
- Encanto
…and everywhere in between.
Final Word: Don’t Let a Key From the Past Put Your Future at Risk
Rekeying is one of the simplest, most affordable security upgrades you can make when moving into a new home.
For peace of mind, safety, and total control—don’t delay it. We’ll handle the rest.
Just Moved In? Rekey and Relax.
Secure your Phoenix home with fresh keys, full control, and zero worries. Our expert locksmiths are ready to rekey today.
Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
📞 (602) 854-2766
🌐 affordablesecurityphoenix.com