If you own or manage a rental in Los Angeles or Ventura County, the single cheapest security upgrade you can make between tenants is to rekey the locks. Keys get copied, handed to friends, left with dog walkers and contractors, and sometimes never returned. Once a tenant moves out, you have no way of knowing how many working keys are still out there. At Barak Lock & Security Solutions, we have helped landlords and property managers across the San Fernando Valley and beyond handle turnovers for 22+ years, and this is the process we recommend.

Why Rekey Between Tenants?

Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration of your existing lock so old keys no longer work, while the hardware stays the same. For a rental, that means a new set of keys for the incoming tenant and zero risk from the previous set. It also protects you: if something goes wrong at a unit, you can show that you took reasonable steps to secure the property at move-in. For specific legal obligations around locks and tenant notice, check with your attorney or local rental association, since rules vary and change.

Rekey or Replace? A Landlord's Quick Guide

For most turnovers, rekeying is the right call. It is faster and less expensive than replacing hardware, and it lets you keep matching finishes across a building. Replace the lock instead when the deadbolt is worn or sticking, the strike plate is loose, the finish is damaged, or the lock is an older low-grade model you would not want to rely on. If you are unsure, our rekey vs. replace guide walks through the decision, and our deadbolt grades explainer helps you choose upgrade hardware.

Make Every Door on the Property Match

One of the biggest time-savers for landlords is keying all locks on a unit alike, so a tenant carries a single key for the front door, back door, and any side gate. For multi-unit buildings, we can set up a master key system, so you hold one key that opens every unit while each tenant's key opens only their own. Do not forget the secondary points: mailbox locks, storage cages, garage entry doors, and pool or courtyard gates.

Consider Keypad or Smart Locks for Short-Term and Managed Rentals

If you turn units over often, or manage a vacation or furnished rental, a keypad or smart lock removes the key problem altogether. You can create and delete codes per tenant or guest without ever re-cutting a key. We install and set up these locks and walk you through managing codes. Read our honest take on smart locks to see whether it fits your property.

A Simple Turnover Checklist

• Rekey or replace every exterior lock after the previous tenant moves out.
• Test each lock and strike plate for smooth operation.
• Collect and log all keys you hand over, and record how many copies were made.
• Rekey any shared-area locks that the previous tenant had access to.
• Keep your master key or code list in a secure place, not on the property.

Serving Landlords Across the Region

We work with owners and property managers in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, Conejo Valley, and Ventura County, including areas like Van Nuys, Northridge, Simi Valley, and Oxnard. Our technicians arrive with the tools to rekey on the spot, so most units can be turned over in a single visit. For pricing context, see our rekey cost guide.

Licensed, Owner-Operated, and Easy to Work With

Barak Lock & Security Solutions is a licensed company: CA BSIS LCO4897 and CSLB 995953. Because we are owner-operated, you deal with the same experienced team every time, which matters when you manage several properties. If you are also upgrading hardware, you can shop the products and have us install them with 10% off installation.

Ready to schedule a turnover rekey? Call us at (818) 723-6800 and we will get your unit ready for its next tenant.