How to Secure a Rental Property Between Tenants in Perth
- •Rekey every external lock the moment a tenancy ends — you cannot verify whether a key was copied.
- •A lock in poor condition should be replaced, not just rekeyed, before the next tenant moves in.
- •Locks older than 10–15 years may have critically worn internals even if they still turn smoothly.
- •In Western Australia, locksmiths must hold a valid licence — always confirm this before hiring.
- •A licensed Perth locksmith can assess and rekey all external entry points in a single visit.
The gap between one tenancy ending and the next beginning is the most exposed your rental property will ever be. The outgoing tenant may have had keys cut without telling you, and you have no way to verify it. The good news is that securing your property between tenants is straightforward — if you act in the right order.
Why Is a Tenancy Change a Security Event You Must Act On?
Every departing tenant represents an unknown key history you can't ignore.
When a tenant returns their keys, that’s all they return — the keys you gave them. There’s no way to know whether a copy was cut for a partner, a friend, or a tradesperson during the tenancy. Key control disappears the moment a lock is used over a period of months or years.
A rekeying job changes the internal pin configuration of your existing lock cylinder, so every previously issued key stops working immediately. If the lock body is in good physical condition, this is the fastest and most cost-effective way to restore full key control before a new tenant arrives.
Rekeying addresses who holds working keys. Lock replacement addresses the physical condition and security grade of the hardware itself. These are two different problems — and a tenancy changeover can require both.
Step 1: Inspect Every External Lock Before You Rekey
A rekey on a damaged or worn lock gives your next tenant false confidence.
Walk every external door and check for stiffness, rust, a cracked body, or a warped strike plate. Perth’s coastal climate accelerates corrosion on exterior hardware — what looks minor on the surface is often far worse inside the mechanism.
If a lock is stiff, sticky, or jams on the key, that’s a mechanical failure in progress — rekeying won’t fix it. The same applies to any lock showing visible corrosion or physical damage. A compromised lock gives false confidence to the tenant paying rent and relying on it for their safety.
Locks that are more than 10–15 years old deserve particular attention. Even a cylinder that still turns smoothly can have critically worn pins and springs that no longer engage with full resistance — and older locks predate modern improvements in pick and bump-key resistance.
Step 2: Rekey All External Entry Points in One Visit
Rekeying only the front door while leaving the back on old keys defeats the purpose entirely.
A licensed locksmith removes each lock cylinder, replaces the internal driver pins with a new set, and cuts a fresh key to match. Every external entry point must be done together — front door, back door, side gate, and any garage with internal access to the home.
If you have multiple external doors, ask the locksmith to rekey all cylinders to a single new key. This is sometimes called a master key setup at the residential level — one key operates every external lock, which simplifies things for both you and your new tenant. You can review the full range of locksmith services available across Perth to understand what’s included in a typical residential visit.
In Western Australia, locksmiths must hold a valid licence to work legally. Always confirm your locksmith is licensed before they touch your locks — this protects you legally as a landlord and ensures the work is done to a professional standard.
Step 3: Replace Locks That Fail the Inspection
Some situations call for new hardware — not just new keys.
If the inspection in Step 1 flagged any lock as damaged, corroded, or of a low-security grade — such as a basic knob lock as the sole external security — replacement is the right call, not rekeying. A quality deadbolt fitted to an external door significantly raises the baseline security for your tenant and your property.
If the property was the subject of a break-in or attempted forced entry during the previous tenancy, assume any tampered lock needs replacement — internal damage from forcing may not be visible but will have reduced the lock’s resistance to future attack.
Step 4: Consider Whether a Restricted Keyway Is Worth It
Standard keys can be copied at any key-cutting kiosk — restricted keys cannot.
A restricted keyway uses a patented key profile where blanks are only available through licensed locksmiths registered to that system. Tenants cannot walk into a hardware store and duplicate the key — every copy is logged and authorised through a controlled chain.
For a rental property, this is a meaningful upgrade. It means that at the next tenancy changeover, you have far greater confidence that no unauthorised copies exist. The upfront cost is higher than a standard rekey, but for landlords managing multiple tenancies or high-value properties, it’s often the smarter long-term investment. You can find more guidance on property security best practices to complement your lock setup.
Frequently Asked Questions About Securing Rentals Between Tenants
Straight answers to what Perth landlords ask most before a tenancy changeover.
Is a landlord legally required to rekey between tenants in Western Australia?
WA tenancy regulations set minimum lock requirements for rental properties. While the specific obligation to rekey between tenancies should be confirmed with your property manager or legal adviser, the security risk of not rekeying is clear — you cannot verify key copies made during a tenancy.
Can I rekey my rental property locks myself to save money?
Rekeying requires disassembling the lock cylinder and fitting a new pin configuration — it’s not a task suited to DIY without specialist tools and training. A licensed locksmith completes the job correctly in a single visit, and in WA only licensed locksmiths may legally perform this work commercially.
How quickly can a Perth locksmith rekey a rental property?
Most standard residential rekeys take well under an hour per lock, and a locksmith can complete all external entry points in a single visit. Ultimate Lock & Security operates 24/7 — call 0481 365 802 to book a same-day appointment between tenancies.
Should I rekey or fully replace the locks at a tenancy changeover?
If the locks are in good physical condition — no stiffness, rust, or damage — rekeying is typically the faster and more cost-effective solution. If any lock is corroded, mechanically worn, or of a low-security grade, replacement is the safer call before the next tenant moves in.
Ready to Secure Your Rental Before the Next Tenant Moves In?
Call Ultimate Lock & Security on 0481 365 802 — available 24/7 across Perth for same-day rekeying and lock inspections. Don’t hand over new keys until you’re certain the old ones no longer work.