Why a Lock Change at Checkout is Essential for Security

Protecting Your Property: Why a Lock Change at Checkout is Essential for Security

When tenants move out, they typically hand over their keys, marking the end of their tenancy. But what happens when a former tenant still has access? Recently, we encountered a situation where an ex-tenant entered a property they’d moved out of because they hadn’t returned all the keys. This incident highlights a critical area of concern for landlords: ensuring former tenants can’t access the property after they leave.

Unreturned Keys Lead to Security Breach
In this case, the former tenant had cut additional keys during their tenancy, which were not returned at checkout. Although we ask tenants to hand back all keys, we have no way of verifying that every copy has been accounted for. With over 1,800 properties under our management, it’s impossible to know how many former tenants may still have keys. The result? This ex-tenant re-entered the property, while our team was there, to retrieve mail they’d left behind, leading to an unexpected and preventable breach in security.

To avoid situations like this, we are now offering landlords a lock change service at tenant checkouts. This service, priced at £60 (including VAT) per lock, uses Euro Cylinder locks and is 50% cheaper than a standard locksmith fee. By changing locks on both front and back doors, landlords can secure their property for future tenants and feel assured that no former tenant has unsanctioned access.

Implementing lock changes offers multiple benefits:

• Increased Security: For landlords, it means stronger protection for their investment, reducing the risk of unauthorized entry.
• Enhanced Safety for New Tenants: New occupants will feel safer, knowing that they are the only ones with keys to their home.
• Commitment to High Standards: By proactively changing locks, we’re showing a commitment to tenant safety and property protection, which sets our management services apart.

Security is non-negotiable. As part of our management service, we’ll opt landlords into this lock change upon tenant checkout, where applicable. We believe that a small investment now can save time, reduce risk, and build tenant trust in the long run.

Incidents like these serve as a reminder of the importance of security protocols at the end of every tenancy. By choosing our lock change service, landlords and future tenants alike gain the confidence that the property is fully secured. If you’d like to learn more about this service or have any questions, reach out to our team today!