Hello all,

For those of you using the iCore setup... have any of you had them rekeyed lately? A little over a year ago, I made the switch based on some recommendations from this forum. I now have half a dozen properties keyed to the system and need to swap out some keys. Someone mentioned that this forum had a special rekey deal of $3 per core, instead of $5 (this website still lists that price on one of the none forum page); however, when I call in they do not seem willing to honor that price. I spoke with both Charlie and Sean.

An extra $2 per core isn't going to break the bank, just not a fan of the run around. Thoughts?

Thanks all,

WMH, not the master key, but just rekeying the core to a new tenant key. Instead of rotating between properties, I think it may be a good idea to actually use a fresh key.

The link I was referring to is here mrlandlord.com/locks/ about halfway down the page:

"Reduce your lock changing costs to only $3 per cylinder

Changing locks at tenant turnover time is just a fact of life for landlords. Landlord's Lock Service has a CYLINDER EXCHANGE PROGRAM available to keep lock change costs to a minimum.

Since most landlords are the do-it-yourself types, you can relate to this analogy: Exchanging lock cylinders is a bit like buying an alternator from the auto parts store. You purchased the alternator from the auto parts store. After installing the new alternator, you returned the old alternator (core) to the auto parts store to get a refund of the core charge.

Me too. We simply buy more and cycle them to other homes.

Eezy-peezy, done and done. I always have a handful of spares in the drawer, ready to grab and go at a moment's notice.

BRAD

It sounds like it's information on a third-party webpage that hasn't been updated to reflect current prices. I'm pretty sure that Landlord Locks have been advertised here for as long as I've been here (2007? 2006?). So I wouldn't be surprised if the prices have changed in the last 10 years, and someone has neglected to update their static advertisements hosted on other websites.

To respond first to the OP: When I started with Landlord Locks, I was told $5 per cylinder to re-key. I never saw the $3 per re-key that you mentioned. It sounds as if a Mr. Landlord web page was never updated. I'm sorry you relied on that, and I hope someone corrects it. I am happy to pay $5 per re-key, it is a reasonable price.

I've never regretted switching to Landlord Locks -- and Ernie hasn't even bought me a drink to thank me for all my endorsements!

I am constantly amazed that some of the people on this Forum do swapping of cylinders -- but especially for LLs who have Landlord Locks.

I have one house that has a multitude of locks -- four exterior doors, four security gates, a storage shed, and the locks on the four security gates are double cylinder. Total of 17 cylinders for this one house. That is a huge number for a SFR. Not counting postage, it costs me $85 to get the cylinders re-keyed. Postage is under $40 round-trip, call my cost a total of $120 MAX. My average tenancy is over three years. So amortizing the re-keying for this one house over three years, that is $40 per year. Most houses have a lot fewer cylinders.

Unless you have your properties held in multiple LLCs or other entities, it is easy for the public to compile a list of your units. Some of us even provide that list on our web-sites. So an ex-tenant, or an x-tenant's cleaning lady's boyfriend, can easily go around with the key and see if it fits another unit.

Jill [CA] reported a horrific crime in her property. I certainly do NOT want to have to tell the police, "well, here is a list of the people who have keys to the locks in this unit. I recycle the locks, so lots of people have keys." I would much prefer saying "the locks were rekeyed the day these tenants took possession. No one else has keys -- except that my wife and I have master keys which are accounted for."

Don't recycle your locks! Be professional.

I play "musical locks." I keep a record of the number of the cylinder I use at a particular house and update each time I change. I usually "retire" a particular number lock for a year or two and then install it at a house far from the previous place where I used it.