When Should Landlords Change Property Locks?

A tenant has returned the final keys, cleaners are booked and new viewings are underway. It can be tempting to leave the lock change until later. Yet this small job is often the difference between a genuinely secure handover and a property where unknown copies of keys may still be in circulation. So, when should landlords change property locks? Usually at the end of a tenancy, but the right decision also depends on the property’s security, the keys that can be accounted for and the circumstances of the departure.

For landlords and letting agents, lock changes are not just an administrative task. They protect incoming tenants, reduce avoidable disputes and help ensure a vacant property is secure while it is being cleaned, repaired or refurbished.

Change locks between tenancies as standard practice

Changing external door locks at every change of tenancy is the clearest and most reliable approach. A former tenant may have returned their own set of keys, but they may have given copies to family, friends, contractors or previous occupants. Key-cutting is inexpensive and copies are not always declared at checkout.

A new tenant should be able to move in knowing they have control over who can access their home. Replacing or rekeying the cylinders removes uncertainty without requiring assumptions about the outgoing tenant.

This is particularly worthwhile where a property has had several occupiers, where keys have changed hands through a letting office, or where there is no complete key record. In these situations, counting returned keys alone does not confirm that all copies have been surrendered.

For a managed portfolio, making lock changes part of the void process creates consistency. It is easier to plan, quote and record than arranging an urgent call-out after a new tenant reports a missing key or an attempted unauthorised entry.

When should landlords change property locks immediately?

Some situations call for a lock change without waiting for the usual turnaround works. Acting promptly protects the property and the people inside it.

After lost, stolen or unreturned keys

If a tenant reports that keys have been lost or stolen, consider the risk rather than simply supplying another set. A key without an identifiable address may present a lower risk, but a keyring with identifying details, a labelled fob or documents taken at the same time raises the concern considerably.

Where keys have not been returned at the end of a tenancy, changing the relevant locks is normally the sensible course. Keep a clear record of which keys were issued, returned and missing. This supports a fair discussion about costs, particularly where the tenancy agreement addresses lost keys. Any proposed deduction from a deposit should be reasonable, evidenced and handled through the correct process.

Following a break-in or attempted break-in

After a burglary or attempted forced entry, damaged locks should be assessed and replaced as soon as possible. Even if the lock still turns, it may no longer provide the level of security expected from an external door.

It is also a good time to look beyond the obvious damage. Check the frame, keeps, hinges, letter plate, door closer and glazing where relevant. A new cylinder in a weakened door or poorly aligned frame may not solve the underlying problem.

When there is a change in access risk

A relationship breakdown, eviction, harassment concern or other safeguarding issue may mean access needs to be reviewed quickly. These cases require care. Landlords must not use lock changes to remove a lawful occupier or prevent a tenant from entering their home. Changing locks while a tenant still has a right to occupy can create serious legal problems.

Where there is a genuine safety concern, take advice appropriate to the circumstances and arrange works in a way that protects the tenant’s rights. The aim is to secure the home, not to bypass the correct possession process.

When locks are worn, faulty or below the required standard

A lock does not need to have failed completely before it should be replaced. Signs such as sticking keys, a loose cylinder, difficulty engaging the deadlock, corrosion or a door that only locks with force should be dealt with early. A tenant should not have to struggle to secure their home, particularly late at night or in poor weather.

The replacement must suit the door and its use. For example, a communal entrance, a fire door and a flat’s front door can have different security and fire-safety considerations. On doors forming part of an escape route, the locking arrangement must allow occupants to get out quickly without searching for a key. Fitting a higher-security lock is not helpful if it compromises safe escape.

Rekeying or replacing: what is the difference?

A full lock replacement is not always necessary. In many cases, especially with euro-cylinder locks, a competent operative can change the cylinder while leaving the main lock body and door furniture in place. This is usually faster, cost-effective and enough to prevent old keys from working.

A full replacement may be needed if the mechanism is faulty, the lock is damaged, the door needs a different security specification or existing hardware is incompatible. The condition of the door matters as much as the lock itself. A badly fitted cylinder, a damaged multipoint mechanism or a misaligned door may continue to cause problems after a like-for-like change.

For landlords, the practical question is whether the work gives the next occupier a secure, reliable door and a documented set of new keys. The right solution is the one that achieves this without unnecessary disruption or expense.

Include lock changes in the void checklist

Lock changes work best when they are planned alongside end-of-tenancy cleaning, repairs, decoration and compliance checks. Completing them early in the void period means contractors can access the property under controlled arrangements, and the incoming tenant receives new keys at handover.

A useful process should cover more than the front door. Review rear and side entrances, patio doors, garages, sheds, meter cupboards, communal doors, key safes, window keys and electronic fobs. If keys or codes have been issued to trades during works, make sure these are recovered or changed before occupation.

Keep a simple handover record with the date, doors covered, lock or cylinder details, number of keys issued and the person receiving them. This creates accountability and makes future maintenance easier. For agents managing multiple homes, it also avoids the common problem of keys being held in several places with no reliable audit trail.

Consider the tenant’s right to change locks

Tenants may sometimes change a lock during their tenancy, often because they have concerns about security. The tenancy agreement may set expectations around permission, quality of replacement hardware and returning the property in the same condition. However, a landlord should not treat a security concern as a reason to demand access outside the normal rules.

The practical priority is communication. Ask whether there is a fault, lost key or safety issue that needs attention. If the tenant has changed a lock, establish a workable arrangement for emergency access while respecting their right to quiet enjoyment. At the end of the tenancy, inspect the door and make sure all necessary keys are returned or the lock is changed for the next occupier.

Avoid false savings on external doors

The cheapest replacement is not always the most economical option. Poor-quality cylinders, unsuitable hardware or rushed fitting can lead to repeat call-outs, damaged doors and tenant complaints. Equally, there is no value in specifying expensive security hardware where the door frame, hinges or glazing remain the weak point.

A proportionate inspection gives better results. Check that doors close correctly, locks engage fully, keys operate smoothly and the fitting is appropriate for the door type. If a property is being refurbished between lets, this is also the right time to address loose handles, damaged architraves, draught gaps and worn thresholds that affect security and presentation.

For landlords across East Sussex, Action Property Group can coordinate lock changes with void cleaning, repairs, fire door works and refurbishment tasks, helping reduce the number of separate contractors needed before handover.

A lock change is a modest part of property turnover, but it carries a clear message to the next tenant: the home has been checked, secured and prepared properly. Treat it as a routine element of a well-managed handover, and deal with faults or missing keys before they become a bigger security issue.