Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm Blog

Phoenix Roommate Moved Out? Why You Should Rekey Immediately

Whether you’re in a student rental near ASU, a co-living space in Midtown Phoenix, or a shared house in Garfield, one thing’s for sure:

When a roommate moves out, you need to rekey—fast.

Many shared housing situations never consider this step, but it’s one of the most important parts of protecting your safety and privacy. In this guide, we’ll walk through why rekeying your Phoenix home is a must when roommates or co-tenants change, how it works, and what you need to know to handle it quickly and affordably.


🚪 Why Shared Housing Comes with Unique Risks

Roommates come and go. Sometimes it’s a smooth move-out—other times, not so much.

Either way, even the most well-intentioned roommate could:

  • Forget to return their key
  • Make a copy without telling you
  • Leave a spare with a friend or partner
  • Keep access out of spite or by accident

If you don’t rekey, you’re sharing your space with someone who no longer lives there—and might not be welcome back.


🔐 What Does Rekeying Do?

Rekeying is the process of adjusting the pins inside your lock’s cylinder to match a new key—and disable all previous keys.

No need to replace the hardware. It’s:

  • Affordable
  • Quick (30–60 minutes)
  • Quiet
  • Effective

It’s the same exterior lock—just now working with a brand-new key.


🧠 When to Rekey in a Roommate Situation

You should rekey when: ✅ A roommate moves out (even on good terms)
✅ You’ve had an argument or dispute
✅ A lease ends or changes
✅ Someone lost a key
✅ Someone got evicted or left unexpectedly
✅ Someone shared their key with guests, friends, or exes
✅ You simply want to start fresh with a new household

We help tenants in Arcadia, Central City, Tempe, and beyond stay safe during roommate transitions.


🏠 Who’s Responsible for Rekeying?

That depends on your situation:

✔️ Leaseholder

If your name is on the lease, you may be authorized to schedule rekeying (check your rental agreement).

✔️ Property Manager

In larger rentals or managed units, rekeying must be requested by the property manager or landlord.

✔️ Homeowner

If you own the property, you can rekey anytime—no need for landlord approval.

If you’re not sure who has authority, call us—we’ll guide you through the proper steps or contact your property owner if needed.


🔄 One-Key vs. Multi-Key Systems for Roommates

You have options when it comes to rekeying shared spaces:

🔑 One-Key System

  • One key works for the front, back, and common areas
  • Clean and simple
  • Ideal when all roommates trust each other and share access

🔐 Individual Room Rekeying

  • Bedroom or personal space gets its own key
  • Great for privacy, especially in co-living setups
  • Keeps access organized during tenant changes

We can help design a system that balances security, privacy, and ease of use.


🧰 Common Locks We Rekey in Shared Houses

We regularly rekey:

  • Front and back doors
  • Interior bedroom locks
  • Garage entry doors
  • Side gates or storage sheds
  • Smart locks with backup keyholes
  • Patio sliders (if they have keyed locks)

Live in a multi-unit home or converted duplex? We can rekey each unit separately or install a master key system for landlords.


💡 Don’t Forget About Smart Locks

Even if you use:

  • Kwikset Halo
  • Schlage Encode
  • Yale Assure
  • August or Eufy

These often still have a physical key, which can be copied or shared. We rekey the cylinder, reset codes, and remove past users from the app or keypad.


📋 What to Expect from Our Rekeying Service

When you call Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix, we:

  • Inspect your locks and determine compatibility
  • Rekey the necessary locks
  • Cut new keys on-site
  • Test everything before we leave
  • Offer upgrades if the hardware is damaged or outdated
  • Provide documentation or receipts for landlords, if needed

📞 Book your rekeying service today or call (602) 854-2766.


💲 How Much Does Roommate Rekeying Cost?

ServiceAvg. Cost
Rekeying front/back doors$60–$90 total
Bedroom locks+$25–$45 each
Smart lock rekey & reset+$15–$30
Group rekey (multiple units)Custom quote

We also offer student discounts and can work with property managers to get approval.


🗺️ We Rekey Shared Homes Across Phoenix

From university housing to family-owned rentals, we help secure shared homes in:

  • Tempe
  • Arcadia
  • Roosevelt Row
  • Alhambra
  • Garfield
  • South Phoenix
  • Midtown
  • Sunnyslope
    …and surrounding suburbs

We offer same-day and emergency rekeying in case of sudden move-outs or disputes.


Final Word: Shared Housing Shouldn’t Mean Shared Risk

Whether you’re roommates by choice or by lease, you deserve to feel safe in your own space.
Rekeying takes the guesswork—and the risk—out of who has access to your home.


One Key, One Household, One Less Thing to Worry About.
We make rekeying fast, easy, and secure for Phoenix roommates and landlords alike. Book today for peace of mind.

Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
📞 (602) 854-2766
🌐 affordablesecurityphoenix.com

Get Service Now

Call 602-854-2776

For more than 25 years, Affordable Locksmith Service has established itself as the first choice of Phoenix, AZ

Our mobile locksmith service is available in the following areas:

Anthem | Apache Junction | Buckeye | Casa Grande | Carefree | Cave Creek | Chandler | Coolidge | El Mirage | Florence | Fountain Hills | Gilbert | Glendale | Gold Canyon | Goodyear | Laveen | Litchfield Park | Mesa | Paradise Valley | Peoria | Phoenix | Queen Creek | San Tan Valley | Scottsdale | Sun City | Surprise | Tempe | Tolleson