As a landlord, it’s your responsibility to protect your property and tenants. Door locks are the first line of defense against threats, and it’s important to recognize when to replace them. Below is a helpful guide so you stay on top of maintenance and choose the right products when replacements are needed.

What Landlords Should Know About Door Locks

When to Replace Them

Tenants want to feel safe in their homes, which means having high-quality locks. Add deadbolts above standard door locks. These drive a thick metal bolt into the jamb and are much harder to pick or break. You may find upgraded locks make a prospective tenant more likely to sign a lease.

It’s not always possible to know if a previous tenant made copies of keys. This is why locksmiths recommend rekeying—the process of installing new mechanisms so the lock works with different keys—or replacing the fixture altogether. You may want to do the same if a renter loses their keys. You never know who may find them and try to break in.

There are also clear signs a fixture was tampered with. Look for strips and scratch marks around the keyhole. There may also be dents and impact damage or splinters in the doorframe. This is a sign to replace these fixtures and improve security.

How to Choose a Lock

If you’re looking for convenience and security, choose a smart-key lock. Landlords can reset the locking mechanism after an incident, eviction, or move-out and then program a new one to “rekey” the fixture, saving time and money.

Heavily used locks, like those on the entry to an apartment building, wear down more quickly. It’s also a hassle to rekey them and distribute new keys to all tenants. Instead, consider an advanced, keyless option. These either have a number pad for a punch-code or a card swipe sensor. If you need to change them, simply program a new code or algorithm on the scan card.

These sophisticated products often include auto-lock options for when a tenant forgets to lock the door and fail-safes that will lock the door if a break-in is attempted.

It’s best to always turn to locksmiths when changing out your fixtures. Richmond Hill Locksmith of Georgia provides comprehensive rekeying and replacement services. They make new keys on-site and offer 24/7 mobile car locksmith services. Call (912) 727-3878 to speak with a representative, and visit their website to learn more about home door lock replacement.