Change only one lock cyl?

If a house has four entry doors and only one door is used most of the time, why not just change the deadbolt cylinder of only the most used door when tenants change over? In other words, on doors that are not frequently used, have deadbolts that only the landlord can open (from the outside), so when tenants change over, you only need to replace a single deadbolt cylinder.

Does anyone only change a single deadbolt cylinder when tenants change over? Is there a flaw in my logic?

I rent to students, so every year or two, I may change out 4 cylinders on a single house. I'm thinking I'd save time and have to deal with less cylinders, if I only changed a single cylinder on each house, during tenant turn-over.

Any thoughts on this are appreciated. BTW, I'm also looking to improve the security of my houses, If that has anything to do with this. Thanks! Bill

--73.197.xx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by NE [PA]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 5:20 PM
Message:

I change all the locks. I try to only have deadbolts with passage knobs anyway. --50.32.xxx.xxx

Change only one lock cyl? (by Robert,OntarioCanada [ON]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 6:18 PM
Message:

If the dead bolt is a grade 1 or grade then a lock smith can change a few pins so the key will not work. It is cost effective to take the lock to a lock smith then the dead bolt re keyed along with using the original master key. --207.164.xxx.xxx

Change only one lock cyl? (by RathdrumGal [ID]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 6:31 PM
Message:

Would the renters still have emergency egress in the event of fire? I think that combo locks might be better for you. Each student can have their own combination, you can have a master combination, and changing combinations when tenants change is easy. --98.145.xx.xxx

Change only one lock cyl? (by Kathi [OH]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 6:39 PM
Message:

We change all locks at turnover. We use Landlord Locks, available through this site. The cylinders can be changed with a master control key in a few seconds. They cost around 10 bucks. We do rotate them between properties. --134.228.xxx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by Robin [WI]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 6:52 PM
Message:

Bill, I like your thinking!

I believe what you're suggesting is that you only give the tenants a key to the most-used entry door and put deadbolts on the other doors that only you have a key to. They can get out any door, but can only come in through the one door they have a key to. Why not?

I've done something similar. I have a couple of very old houses with very old front doors that the LL locks won't fit on. Since the tenants use the side door when they come and go, I give them only a key to the side door. So far only 1/3 has requested a key for the front door, too. --174.96.xx.xxx

Change only one lock cyl? (by BillW [NJ]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 7:13 PM
Message:

Yes Robin, that's exactly what mean.

And I'm thinking if they do request a key for another door, then I can re-evaluate on what doors to change the dead cylinders.

And Kathi, I also use Landlord locks. They're great. If I do what I'm proposing, then I would only have to shuffle around 1 cylinder for each house. On the doors not often used, I would use deadbolt cylinders I have, that only I could open from the outside with my master key (anyone could open them from inside to get out of the house)

After some thought, one downside of the plan is if for some reason the deadbolt on the main door stops working, or if work is being done near the main door and they need to get in another entry door, I'd have a problem. --73.197.xx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by BillW [NJ]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 8:52 PM
Message:

Clarification: I mean I'd have a problem since the tenant's key would only operate the deadbolt on a single door to the house --73.197.xx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by Robert J [CA]) Posted on: May 20, 2017 8:56 PM
Message:

I my last vacant house, 20 days ago, I too have 4 entry doors with two locks on each door. The second the tenants were out, I re-key'ed the Dead bold locks only. Now it requires two keys to enter.

After the painter and other workers are done and I'm ready to market the property, I will re-key all of the locks again so that my new tenants will be the only ones, besides myself, with copies of keys to gain access to the property.

--47.156.xx.xxx

Change only one lock cyl? (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 4:29 AM
Message:

Since you are already using LandLord locks with replaceable key cylinders, you should be spending less that $15.00 & about 5 minutes to change out the key cylinders in all four doors. Given this minimal expense IMO, you should just change them at each turn over. --72.93.xxx.x

Change only one lock cyl? (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 5:21 AM
Message:

I change them all, my police, insurance and court would hang me, I write the generic key code on the new lease - old code/new code. When someone calls to say something is stolen I have proof of the change and am released of liability. --76.188.xxx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by beelocks [NH]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 5:27 AM
Message:

How does the tenant lock the property if they decide to exit through one of the doors that they don't have a key for? --73.60.xxx.xxx

Change only one lock cyl? (by BillW [NJ]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 6:36 AM
Message:

Steve, the problem is my houses/apartments have different number of entry doors, so for example, I can't swap the 3 door house cylinders with the 4 door house cylinders.

But Steve, Vee and beelocks, your points are well taken and I think I will stick with changing all the deadbolt cylinders, of all the entry doors, when tenants move out. It's not a lot of money in the scheme of things. If I can get more organized with my big bag of lock cylinders, and recording the key codes, I'd be in good shape, I think. Thanks. Bill --73.197.xx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by AllyM [NJ]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 8:28 AM
Message:

If you want to be called over there for lockout problems caused by lock damage, broken key, gum in lock, worn tumbler etc. then by all means change only the one. I have all exit/entry doors keyed alike and have them all changed when someone moves.

Save the insides and reuse them again in five years or so since you seem to be able to change them out themselves. Put them in a baggie with the year on them. --73.33.xxx.xxx

Change only one lock cyl? (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 4:32 PM
Message:

Put the same ones in a burger king bag, keep picking up bags from the sidewalk or use clear freezer bags with a note of old addy and change date, so you can sort for the bag that sat there the longest. --76.188.xxx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by BillW [NJ]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 7:00 PM
Message:

Thanks Vee. Sounds simple but effective.

One of my other problems (whimper whimper) with the lock cylinders is that I got them in different finishes and also different types (dead bolt and vestibule) so this adds to the complexity. Live and learn I guess. --73.197.xx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by BillW [NJ]) Posted on: May 21, 2017 7:00 PM
Message:

Thanks Vee. Sounds simple but effective.

Change only one lock cyl? (by Vee [OH]) Posted on: May 22, 2017 6:42 AM
Message:

Open the knoblocks to recover the pins or just sell at garage sale, closet knobs have no way to lock you out. Buy deadbolts and closet knobs in bulk. --76.188.xxx.xx

Change only one lock cyl? (by Mike45 [NV]) Posted on: May 22, 2017 10:20 AM
Message:

I cannot imagine re-using old Landlord Lock cylinders without having them rekeyed. $5 per cylinder plus postage. Stop being so darn cheap!!

I too have different configurations of doors/locks in my houses. If someone in a house with 4 entry locks and 6 deadbolts gives me notice today that he will be moving out on June 30, I will send the appropriate number of old cylinders to Ernie/Sean to get them rekeyed. No problem!

--71.38.xx.xxx

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