Why a tenant should ask these questions at all
Renting means living behind a door you do not control. The landlord owns the hardware, the building may own the common doors, and the previous tenant may still have a copy of the key. That arrangement works smoothly when everyone is clear about who does what. It works badly when assumptions fill the gaps, and the gaps tend to show themselves at night, in the rain, with a bag of groceries in your hand.
Asking about locks is not a sign of distrust. Property managers hear these questions all the time, and a good one will have answers ready. A landlord who gets vague when asked whether the locks were changed since the last tenant is giving you useful information too. Write the answers down, or better, ask by email or text so that you have a dated record.
This page is written for renters in Broward and Palm Beach counties, in apartments, condos, townhomes and single-family houses. It is general information, not legal advice, and your lease and local law come first. It never describes how to defeat a lock, since that has no place in a tenant's toolbox. What it does offer is a sensible list, grouped by topic, of what to ask and why each answer matters.
Questions about who already has keys
Start with the most important one: have the locks been changed or rekeyed since the last tenant left? If yes, ask for the date. If the answer is no, ask whether the landlord is willing to rekey before you move in. Many landlords will agree to it as a normal turnover task, particularly if you ask before the lease starts.
Then ask how many sets of keys exist and who holds them. A landlord, a property manager, a maintenance person and a cleaning service may each hold a set. In a condo or apartment building, the association or the front office may hold a set for emergencies. You are entitled to know this, and in most cases the answer is perfectly ordinary. What matters is that you know it.
Ask whether a lockbox or keypad was used during showings, and who knows its entry number. If the answer is yes, ask that the number be changed. Ask also about past tenants: it is reasonable to ask whether the previous tenant returned every key, and whether anything was left unaccounted for. If something was missing, the lock should have been rekeyed. Our page on rekeying after a tenant moves out explains why.
- Have the locks been rekeyed or changed since the last tenant left, and when?
- How many sets of keys exist, and who holds them?
- Was a lockbox or keypad used, and has its entry number been changed?
- Did the last tenant return every key, fob and remote?
Questions about your right to change or add locks
Many tenants wish to add a deadbolt, a keypad or a smart lock. Whether you may do that depends on the lease and the landlord. Ask directly: may I rekey or replace the locks, and what do you need from me if I do? Common answers are that the tenant must ask in writing, must give the landlord a copy of the new key, must pay for the work, or must restore the original lock when leaving. Get the answer in writing.
In a condo or HOA community, there may be a rule about hardware on doors visible from common areas. The association might require a specific finish or type, and it may need to approve any change. If you plan to install a smart lock or a keypad, ask whether they are allowed and who must be given access in an emergency, such as a fire department or building management.
Do not change a lock without permission and do not drill or modify the door. A modification you cannot reverse may result in a charge when you leave. If you want a different arrangement, ask the landlord to arrange the work, or ask for permission to hire a locksmith of your own and agree on the conditions in writing. A reputable locksmith will want to see the landlord's authorization before touching a rental door, and for good reason, as described in locksmith authorization for landlords and tenants.
Questions about spare keys and copies
Ask how many keys you will receive, and whether the lease prohibits making copies. Some leases forbid duplicating keys, particularly for restricted keyways that need authorization to copy. Others are relaxed about it. If you need extra keys for a partner, a family member or a roommate, ask how to arrange it. A landlord may prefer to cut the copies to make sure the quality is good.
Ask what happens if you lose a key. Some landlords charge for a replacement, some for a rekey, and some require you to pay a locksmith directly. Knowing this in advance prevents a shock later. Ask also whether the landlord keeps a spare you can use in an emergency, and what the procedure is for a lockout. A tenant who has the property manager's phone number and knows the process is a tenant who can sort out a problem in an evening rather than a weekend.
Do not hide a spare key outside. A key under a mat, a rock or a planter is easy for others to find, and it makes your home less secure. If you need a plan for lockouts, consider leaving a key with a trusted neighbor or friend, and write down who has it. Our page on what to do when you lose house keys describes the next steps if a key goes missing.
Questions about lockouts and after-hours problems
Ask the landlord or manager what to do if you are locked out. Is there an after-hours number? Who has the authority to let you in? Is there a charge? Is there a locksmith the landlord prefers? Some landlords want to be called first, since they may have a key and can authorize work. Others do not mind if you call a locksmith, provided you can prove you live there.
A tenant should also know what a locksmith will require. Expect the technician to ask for photo ID and some proof that you live at the address, such as a lease or a utility bill, and possibly confirmation from the landlord. This is meant to prevent a stranger from entering a home. If you can show the lease on your phone, the call goes faster. Our page on who can request a lockout service goes into the details.
Ask what happens when the lock itself fails. If a key breaks, a bolt jams or a latch will not catch, whose job is it to repair, and how quickly will the landlord respond? A broken door lock on an exterior door is a safety matter, and a tenant should know how to report it and how to ask for a temporary measure to secure the door. Keep a written record of the report.
Questions about doors, windows, sliders and gates
Locks are only part of the picture. Walk the unit and ask about anything that does not look secure: a slider that does not latch, a window that will not lock, a strike plate that is loose, a gate that does not close, a deadbolt that sticks. Raise these before you move in so that nobody can later claim you caused the problem. A move-in condition checklist is the right place to record them, and many landlords supply one.
In South Florida, humidity swells wood and corrodes metal, and a door that worked in the dry season may bind in the summer. Our page on door frame and jamb problems in humid climates explains what to expect. If your door sticks, note it in writing and ask for it to be fixed rather than forcing it.
If you live on a ground floor or next to a pool area, ask about window and slider security. A simple security bar or pin may be allowed, and you should ask before installing anything that attaches to the frame. If the unit has hurricane shutters, ask who operates them and how you get a key or handle if one is needed.
- Walk each door and window with the landlord or manager.
- Test the latch, deadbolt and slider from inside and outside.
- Note anything loose, sticky or missing on the move-in checklist.
- Photograph the issues with the date visible.
- Ask when and how the repair will be done and request it in writing.
Questions about electronic locks, fobs and shared access
If the unit has a keypad or smart lock, ask who manages the entry numbers and the accounts. Can you set your own? Can the landlord see who enters? Is there a history log? What happens to the system when the lease ends? A tenant has a right to understand how personal data, such as door access history, is handled, and a landlord should be able to explain it.
For building fobs, gate remotes and parking passes, ask who issues them, what a replacement costs and how to report a loss. A lost fob should be deactivated at once, and the process is usually handled by the property manager or association. See keypad and access control basics for how these systems generally work.
Ask about the common doors too: the lobby, the stairwell, the mail room and the garage. Who controls them, and what happens when a door is propped open or broken? In some buildings a tenant cannot do anything about a broken lobby lock, but can and should report it. A written report, with the date, is useful if a security problem follows.
Questions about notice, entry and your privacy
Another group of questions concerns the landlord's own use of keys. Under many leases and local rules a landlord may enter for repairs, inspections or showings, usually after giving notice. Ask what notice the landlord gives, how it is delivered, and whether there are exceptions for emergencies. A calm, specific answer helps both sides.
Ask whether maintenance staff, cleaners or contractors will be given keys, and whether they sign them out. In some properties, a master key system means that a single key opens many units, which is convenient for management but also raises the stakes for key control. Our explanation of master key systems describes the tradeoff.
If you feel that your privacy has been breached, for example if someone has entered without notice and without an emergency, document what happened and speak with the landlord in writing. Serious matters belong with a tenant advocacy office, a housing agency or an attorney. A locksmith cannot give legal advice, but can explain the hardware side of the question.
Putting it together: a short script and when to call
You do not need to ask every question at once. A practical approach is to send one message after you have seen the unit, covering the essentials: whether the locks have been rekeyed, how many keys you will receive, who holds copies, what to do in a lockout, and what the lease allows regarding lock changes. Keep the reply, and attach it to your lease file.
On move-in day, test every key in every lock with the door open, check the latch and deadbolt, and photograph anything that is off. If something does not work, tell the landlord right away. If you are locked out or a key breaks and you cannot reach the landlord, a locksmith can help, with proof that you live there and, where needed, the landlord's approval.
When you need advice about a lock, a key or a door, call and explain the situation. Ask what the technician would check, what documents to have ready, and what the service call charge covers. Quotes are by phone, complicated jobs need an on-site visit, and everything is explained before anyone is dispatched.
Questions people ask
Can I ask my landlord to rekey the locks before I move in?
Yes, it is a reasonable request, and many landlords do it as part of turnover. Ask before the lease starts if you can, and ask in writing. The landlord may do it themselves or hire a locksmith. If the answer is no, ask whether you may do it at your own expense with written permission and what the landlord requires in return.
Does the landlord have to give me a key to every lock?
Usually you should receive keys for every lock you are expected to use, such as the main door, the mailbox and any storage or gate. Check the lease and the move-in checklist, and count the keys on day one. If something is missing, say so at once, in writing, so it is not assumed that you lost it.
What proof of residency will a locksmith want if I get locked out?
Expect to show photo ID and something that ties you to the address, such as a signed lease, a recent utility bill or a message from the landlord. A locksmith may also need the landlord's approval. Keeping a photo of your lease on your phone makes this much easier. See our page on residency documents for more.
Can I install my own smart lock or deadbolt?
Only with the landlord's written permission, and in a condo or community, perhaps the association's too. Unapproved changes can breach the lease or leave you liable for the cost of restoring the original. If permission is given, ask what the landlord requires, such as a key, a copy of the entry number or restoration of the old lock when you leave.
What should I do if the previous tenant still has a key?
Tell the landlord in writing and ask for the locks to be rekeyed. If you do not know whether copies exist, say that you want the locks changed for safety. Keep a record of the request and the date. If you have any worry about your immediate safety, call 911 first.
Who pays if I lose my key or break it in the lock?
That depends on the lease. Some landlords charge a tenant for a replacement key or a rekey, and some require the tenant to pay a locksmith directly. Ask before you need it. If a key breaks in a lock, do not force it. Contact the landlord and, if needed, a locksmith with the landlord's approval.
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.