I can't imagine a more uncomfortable situation than this: A new tenant moves into your property on Saturday. By Sunday morning, someone walks in with a key.
The previous tenant. Or their babysitter. Or the neighbor who used to house-sit.
This isn't a hypothetical. It happens when property managers skip rekeying between tenants. And the liability doesn't stop at embarrassment—it extends to negligence claims that can cost thousands in legal settlements.
Rekeying isn't optional. It's a non-negotiable security protocol that separates professional property management from operations cutting corners.
The Security Gap You Can't See
When a tenant returns their keys, you have zero guarantee that copies weren't made.
Think about who had access during that tenancy:
- The tenant's partner or roommate
- A neighbor who house-sat
- A contractor who did repairs
- A babysitter who watched kids after school
- A friend who watered plants during vacation
Every one of those people could have made a copy. You'll never know.
The professional solution: Rekey the property between every tenant. Period.
This ensures the new tenant—and only the new tenant—has access to their unit. Property managers keep one master key for emergencies. Everyone else is locked out.