Lock Changes After a Tenant Moves Out

Confirm who can authorize the work and when

Before booking, confirm who is responsible for arranging the lock work, who will approve its scope and when the property can be accessed. A move-out date or a returned key does not by itself answer every question about permission to change access. Resolve any uncertainty through the appropriate property-management or professional channels.

For a managed building, identify any shared entrance, common-area door or controlled key system. Work on an individual unit should be coordinated with the people responsible for those systems. This guide concerns service preparation; it does not establish tenancy rights, possession or legal authority to exclude anyone.

Make a handover inventory that someone else can use

Label doors by location rather than relying on a pile of unmarked keys. Record which returned keys operate which locks, and note missing or unaccounted-for copies. Separate facts from assumptions: “two keys returned” is useful information, while “no other copies exist” may not be something you can verify.

Include entry doors, relevant storage doors and any other lock within the authorized scope. Keep fobs, remotes and shared building credentials on a separate list, because a mechanical lock change does not update them.

• Door location and the person or team responsible for it.
• Number of keys returned and any known missing copies.
• Observed damage, sticking, loose hardware or closing problems.
• Proposed new key holders and any doors that should remain separate.

Separate access changes from condition problems

When suitable locks are in working condition, rekeying the affected cylinders may establish new key access without replacing the complete hardware. It is particularly useful to discuss when the issue is uncertainty about old copies rather than a physical defect.

If a handle is loose, a bolt does not engage properly or the door has visible damage, describe it before service. Rekeying does not repair every mechanical problem. Some doors may need replacement hardware or a broader assessment of the door and frame. The rekey-or-replace guide helps organize that decision without prescribing the same work for every unit.

Coordinate the visit with the turnover schedule

Provide the Toronto location, property type, number of locks and the name of the authorized contact. Explain who can provide entry and whether other work is happening at the property. If cleaners, contractors or managers need temporary access, include that in the key plan before the final handover.

Tell Matrix about known building requirements or an existing key system so compatibility can be discussed. Avoid assuming a lock can be matched to another key from a photograph alone. Confirm the proposed work and any outstanding checks before proceeding.

Document the new keys at handover

Record which doors were rekeyed or replaced and how many new keys were issued. Test the intended keys and identify any door that remains on its original key. Keep the handover record accessible to the responsible manager without displaying key details publicly.

For a house or residential unit, see residential lock-change planning. For business tenancies and managed commercial premises, see commercial lock changes. New occupants can also use our moving-in door checklist. Request a quote for the authorized work with your door inventory.