Why returning keys deserves a plan
Most tenants spend weeks on packing, cleaning and utilities, then hand over keys in a hurry at the end of the last day. That is the moment a disagreement is easiest to start. If the landlord later says a key is missing, or a garage remote was never returned, or a mailbox key went astray, the tenant is in the position of proving a negative. A little paperwork at the handover turns a he-said, she-said problem into a simple matter of record.
The key return also marks the legal and practical end of your access. Until the keys are accepted, you may still be treated as the person responsible for the unit, and any problem that appears afterward can be attributed to you. After a documented handover, responsibility shifts, and the landlord decides whether to rekey. That is a landlord decision, not a tenant one, and a tenant should not change locks on a rental without written permission.
This page is written for tenants in Broward and Palm Beach counties, including apartment, condo and single-family rentals. It does not give legal advice, and your lease controls the details. It does explain what to gather, what to photograph and what to write down, so that you leave on good terms and can answer any question that comes later.
Read the lease language before the final week
Look at the section of your lease about keys, locks and move-out. Some leases say all keys must be returned on or before the last day, some require a walk-through with the landlord or manager, and some require a written notice of the date you intend to leave. A few state that unreturned keys can lead to a charge for rekeying. Know which of those apply to you, and calendar the dates.
If you live in a condo or a community with an association, there may be additional items: building fobs, parking decals, pool cards, gate remotes or mailbox keys. These often belong to the association rather than the landlord, and they may have their own return process and office hours. Ask the property manager whether those items go through the landlord or are returned elsewhere.
If anything in the lease is unclear, ask in writing. A short email that says, I will return two door keys, one mailbox key and one garage remote on the final day, please confirm that is the full set, gives you a dated reply. Keep both messages. Do not rely on a casual verbal answer from a maintenance person, since they may not know what the landlord handed out in the first place.
Build the inventory of what you hold
Begin about a week out. Collect every key, fob, card, remote and opener you have, including the ones you rarely use. Check the bottom of kitchen drawers, the car, a gym bag, a coat pocket and the key hook by the door. Make a simple list: item, how many, what it opens, and where it was found.
Compare that list to what you received at move-in. If you kept a move-in record, even a text message from the landlord, use it. If you never recorded the original count, say so honestly in your notes and rely on the list you now have. The important thing is that on move-out day the list you hand over matches what you actually deliver.
Do not make copies in the final days and do not hand duplicates to friends or family for a final trip back to the place. If you gave a spare key to a neighbor, cleaner, pet sitter or relative at any point, get it back now and add it to your list. A key you cannot find at the end is a key someone else might have.
- Gather every key, fob, remote, card and opener in one place.
- Write the count and what each item opens.
- Compare against your move-in record or lease addendum.
- Retrieve spares from friends, relatives, neighbors and service providers.
- Take a photograph of the whole set laid out together.
Documenting the condition of doors and locks
Before you return the keys, walk through each door and take clear photographs. Show the lock, the strike plate, the door edge, the frame near the latch and the hinge side. Include the sliding door track and latch, the garage entry door, and any gate you have used. If you find damage that existed when you moved in, compare it to your move-in photographs.
Most lock complaints at move-out come down to one of three things: a key that no longer turns smoothly, a latch that does not catch, or visible damage to the wood around the lock. In humid coastal climates, normal wear shows up in swollen frames and tarnished or sticky locks. These are generally maintenance matters. Damage from a forced entry or from an accident is different, and you should describe it plainly and honestly in writing.
If a lock is stiff, resist the urge to oil it heavily before handing it back. A little graphite or a light dry lubricant is fine, but heavy oil attracts dust and can make things worse. Our page on lock lubricant and maintenance basics explains what is sensible. Never take a lock apart on a rental to fix it unless the landlord asks you to.
- Photograph each door, lock, strike plate and frame edge.
- Photograph sliding door tracks and latches.
- Note any damage that existed before you moved in.
- Describe any damage you caused, honestly and briefly.
The handover itself: how to do it cleanly
If you can, return the keys in person during a walk-through with the landlord or manager. Bring your inventory list, count the items aloud together, and ask the other person to sign or initial the list or reply to a message that confirms the count. A signature on your own copy is better than a promise.
If an in-person handover is not possible, ask the landlord in writing how they want the keys returned. A drop box, a mail slot or a lockbox are all common, and each has risks. If you use a lockbox, ask who set the entry number and who will check it. If you mail keys, use a trackable method, take photographs of the keys in the envelope, and keep the receipt. Never leave keys inside the unit unless the landlord has said in writing that this is acceptable, because then nobody can confirm who handled them.
Resist the temptation to leave a key hidden somewhere on the property for the landlord to find. A key left under a mat or in a plant pot is a security problem and a possible deposit dispute. If the landlord says to leave them inside, ask for a written note to that effect and take a photograph of the keys on the counter when you close the door behind you.
Garage remotes, gate fobs and mailbox keys
The small items cause the most arguments because they are easy to overlook. A garage remote may look like an ordinary clicker, but it can open a door to the entire property. A gate fob or a card for a condo building often costs the landlord or association money to replace and, more importantly, must be deactivated if lost. A mailbox key is a small thing, but mail theft and identity theft are real concerns that a former tenant should treat seriously.
List them on the inventory separately, and ask whether the landlord wants them returned together with the door keys or through an office. If a remote has a clip in the car, leave a note for yourself to take it out before you hand the car to someone else. If you cannot find an item, tell the landlord at once, rather than hoping it will not be noticed. Early honesty lets them deactivate a fob or reset a keypad entry number before anything goes wrong. More on the system side of things is covered on our page about keypad and access control basics.
If you installed a smart lock, a keypad, a video doorbell or any other device of your own with permission, remove your accounts from it, factory reset it as appropriate, and ask the landlord whether you should uninstall it or leave it in place. If you changed a lock with permission, hand over every key to that lock, and tell the landlord which version is current.
What happens if a key goes missing
Sometimes a key simply cannot be found. The next steps are not complicated, but they are better taken quickly. Tell the landlord or manager in writing as soon as you know, say which key it is, when you last remember it, and that you are sorry for the inconvenience. Offer to discuss how the replacement should be handled under the lease. Do not try to cut a duplicate yourself and hand that over as the missing original, because a copy of a restricted key may not work, and some building systems require a particular key.
A landlord may choose to rekey the lock, replace a fob, or simply note the missing item. It is the landlord's right to decide. If the lease says a rekey fee applies, ask for an itemized description of what was done. A reasonable landlord will be able to say what was done and why. If you feel the amount is out of line, respond in writing and keep your documents. Complicated disputes are best discussed with a tenant advocacy office or an attorney, and we cannot provide legal advice.
Remember the other reason to report a missing key fast. If it was lost in a public place, a person might connect it to the address. A rekey solves that, and the sooner it happens the better. See rekeying after a tenant moves out for the landlord's side of this.
Roommates, subleases and early departures
If you share the unit with roommates, agree who is returning what and on which day. A roommate who stays on while you leave should hold a separate record of the keys that stay in the unit. If the lease is being reassigned, the landlord may want a new agreement before the keys change hands, so ask before you give anything to the incoming person. Do not hand keys directly to a subtenant without the landlord's knowledge, because that can complicate liability.
If you leave early, for work, family or health reasons, the same principles apply: contact the landlord in writing, offer to return the keys in a way that suits them, and keep a record. If you cannot be present, you may authorize a trusted person to return the keys, but put that in writing, with their name and the date, and ask the landlord to confirm the handover to that person.
In seasonal communities where residents leave for months, the same approach applies if you are giving up a lease rather than simply traveling. If instead you are only leaving for the summer, see our page on snowbird home lock preparation, which is about locking up a home you will return to.
After you leave: loose ends and when a locksmith helps
Once the handover is done, keep your inventory, photographs, messages and receipts for as long as a deposit question could arise. Store them in a cloud folder so they survive a phone replacement. If you receive a deposit statement that mentions locks or keys, compare it to your records and respond in writing, politely and promptly.
A locksmith is not usually needed by a tenant at move-out, since the landlord controls the hardware. There are exceptions. If a lock fails during the move and you are locked out, or the key snaps in the lock, you will need help with the landlord's authorization. Our page on move-out day lockouts describes how that goes. A technician will ask for proof that you are entitled to access, and for the landlord's approval where appropriate.
When you have questions about a lock, a missing key or a stuck door during a move, call and explain the situation. The technician will tell you what documents to have ready and what the next step is. Quotes are given by phone, complicated jobs need an on-site visit, and a service call charge is explained before anyone is dispatched. Call whenever you are ready.
Questions people ask
Do I have to return every key, even the ones I never used?
Yes, return every key you were given, including mailbox, storage and spare keys. Unused keys still open something, and a landlord needs to know the full set is accounted for. If you were never given a particular key, say so in writing when you make your inventory. Good records protect you if a count is questioned later.
Should I rekey the lock before I leave?
No, not unless the landlord asks you to in writing. Changing the locks on a rental without permission can breach the lease and create a dispute. The landlord decides whether to rekey after you go. If you changed a lock earlier with permission, give the landlord every key for the current lock and describe what you changed.
What if the landlord will not meet me for a walk-through?
Ask in writing how they want the keys returned, and follow their instructions. Photograph the keys, the unit and the door, send a message stating the date and time you finished, and keep any receipt for mailed keys. A dated message trail is the next best thing to a signature. Avoid leaving keys without a written agreement.
Can I be charged for a lost garage remote or gate fob?
That depends on the lease and the building rules. Many leases allow a replacement charge, and a community may charge for a new fob. Ask for an itemized statement showing what was spent. If you report a missing item early, the landlord can deactivate it, which protects everyone. Disputes over amounts are a legal matter beyond what a locksmith can advise on.
What if I get locked out on the last day?
Call the landlord or manager first, since they may have a key and must approve work on their property. If a locksmith is needed, be ready to show photo ID and evidence that you are a tenant, such as the lease, and expect the landlord to confirm. Never attempt to force the door yourself, which can cause damage that becomes a deposit issue.
Who should hold a key for me while I travel during the move?
Choose one trusted person and write down their name, the date and which keys they hold. Ask them to return the keys to you or to the landlord at an agreed time. Avoid scattering spares among several people. The fewer hands a key passes through, the easier it is to prove that everything came back.
Describe the situation by phone and we will tell you what the job involves. Quotes are given by phone. Jobs that cannot be quoted without seeing them need a technician on site, and the service call charge is explained on the phone before anyone is dispatched.