Rekeying Between Tenants in Phoenix: Why It’s a Legal Must for Landlords
Being a landlord in Phoenix can be rewarding—but it comes with serious responsibilities. When a tenant moves out, it’s your job to make sure the property is clean, safe, and ready for the next occupant.
But what many landlords overlook—or delay—is one of the most critical steps in that turnover process:
Rekeying the locks.
Whether you manage one rental in Maryvale or a dozen in Biltmore, rekeying between tenants isn’t just a good idea—it may help protect you from legal issues, insurance problems, and tenant disputes.
In this post, we’ll explain why rekeying rental properties in Phoenix is an essential practice, how it reduces your liability, and how to implement it quickly and affordably.
What Does Rekeying Mean for Landlords?
Rekeying is the process of changing the internal components (pins) of your lock cylinder so that:
- A new key is required
- All old keys are instantly deactivated
- No one from a previous tenancy can regain entry
You keep the same lock hardware, and your new tenant gets exclusive access from day one.
Why Landlords Must Rekey Between Tenants
Here’s why it matters:
🔐 1. Old Tenants May Still Have Keys
Even if you collect every key you issued, you don’t know how many unapproved copies were made. Rekeying eliminates this risk completely.
⚖️ 2. You May Be Liable If Something Goes Wrong
If a former tenant uses a spare key to enter and causes harm, you may be legally responsible for failing to secure the property. That’s a huge risk—especially if there’s no record of a lock change.
🧾 3. Rekeying Shows Due Diligence
In court or in a dispute, showing that you rekeyed proves you took reasonable action to secure the property.
💼 4. It Protects Your Reputation
Nothing kills lease renewals or referrals faster than a tenant saying, “I didn’t feel safe.” Rekeying creates trust and professionalism.
🛑 5. It May Be Required by Your Insurance
Some landlord insurance policies require lock changes between tenants to remain valid. Check your coverage.
What the Arizona Law Says About Rekeying
While Arizona law doesn’t explicitly require landlords to rekey between tenants, state law does require landlords to provide a secure and safe premises.
Failure to do so could result in:
- Tenant withholding rent
- Legal disputes
- Fines or judgments in favor of the tenant
Rekeying is your strongest defense against claims of negligence regarding unit access.
When You Should Rekey a Rental Property
✅ After every tenant moves out
✅ After an eviction or lockout
✅ After a tenant loses a key
✅ After changing property managers
✅ After vendors or contractors had unsupervised access
✅ When turning over a short-term rental unit
✅ After staff changes in multi-family buildings
We help landlords rekey properties in Central City, Laveen, Arcadia Lite, Garfield, and across the Phoenix metro area—often with same-day availability.
What About Master Key Systems?
If you manage multi-unit buildings, you may be using a master key system for maintenance and emergencies.
When rekeying, we can:
- Re-pin the tenant’s lock to work only with a new tenant key
- Ensure the master key still works for authorized staff
- Maintain or improve your existing key hierarchy
This keeps maintenance efficient without compromising tenant security.
What If I Forget to Rekey?
Here’s what can happen:
- A past tenant re-enters and damages property
- A break-in occurs, and there’s no forced entry
- Your new tenant discovers old keys still work
- Your insurance denies a claim for “negligent security”
- You get sued for “failure to protect” under Arizona landlord-tenant law
These are expensive, time-consuming, and entirely preventable problems.
Cost vs. Consequences
| Action | Average Cost | Risk If Skipped |
|---|---|---|
| Rekeying per lock | $15–$25 | ❌ Possible re-entry, lawsuit |
| Rekeying whole unit (2–3 locks) | $50–$75 | ❌ Reputation damage, liability |
| Lock replacement | $100–$300+ | ✅ Only if locks are damaged |
| Lawsuit or tenant claim | Thousands 💸 | ❌ Lost revenue, legal fees |
A $50 rekeying service could save you from a $5,000 lawsuit.
How We Help Phoenix Landlords Rekey Efficiently
At Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix, we work with:
- Individual landlords
- Property managers
- Real estate investors
- HOAs
- Multi-family developers
We provide: ✅ Flat-rate pricing for single and multi-unit properties
✅ Rekeying within 24 hours of request
✅ Optional lock inspections and upgrades
✅ Key documentation for your records
✅ Digital and smart lock rekeying options
✅ Master key system setup or maintenance
📞 Schedule rekeying now with our team or call (602) 854-2766.
What to Expect During the Rekeying Process
- We inspect all locks to be rekeyed
- We remove and reset the cylinder pins
- New keys are cut and tested on-site
- We document which units were rekeyed
- Optional: match all units to a master key system
- Optional: smart lock resets or upgrades
Whether you own a single-family rental near Sunnyslope or 10 doors in Midtown, we’ll complete the job fast and professionally.
Final Thought: Be the Landlord Tenants Trust
Tenants talk. And in today’s rental market, reputation matters.
Rekeying between tenants shows that you:
- Take safety seriously
- Operate professionally
- Value your property
- Protect your renters
- Protect yourself
Don’t skip this step—it costs little and delivers peace of mind for everyone involved.
One Tenant Out, One Rekey In—It’s That Simple.
Stay compliant, reduce liability, and protect your rentals. Rekeying between tenants is the smart, legal, and professional way to keep your Phoenix properties secure.
Affordable Security Locksmith And Alarm – Phoenix
📞 (602) 854-2766
🌐 affordablesecurityphoenix.com