Lock Change Service NYC

My roommate just moved out. Should I rekey or replace?

Rekey is almost always the right call. We re-pin the existing cylinder so a new key works and theirs doesn’t, the door hardware stays the same, and the cost is a fraction of a full replacement. Replace only if the existing hardware is already failing or you’re upgrading the security grade.

Is my NYC landlord required to change the locks between tenants?

There is no NYC or New York State statute that explicitly requires it, but it’s an industry best practice and many leases (and most reputable management companies) require it. NYC Housing Maintenance Code §27-2043 does require landlords to install and maintain a working interior lock and a peephole; it’s silent on rekey-between-tenants. As an incoming tenant, ask in writing for confirmation that the locks were changed; if you don’t get it, hire a locksmith and ask the landlord to credit the cost (many will).

How often should I change my locks if nothing has happened?

If nothing has changed — no move, no lost keys, no roommate turnover, no break-in — you generally don’t need to change locks on a calendar schedule. Standard residential cylinders are rated for 200,000–400,000 cycles, which is decades of normal use. What we do recommend on a regular cadence is annual lubrication (graphite or PTFE-based dry lube, never WD-40) and a check of the strike alignment, both of which extend lock life significantly.

Smart lock vs. traditional rekey — which makes more sense?

It depends on the problem. If the issue is "different people need access at different times" (cleaners, dog walkers, short-term guests), a smart lock with per-user codes is the right tool — we install August, Yale Assure, Schlage Encode, and Level. If the issue is "I just want the old keys to stop working", a traditional rekey is dramatically cheaper, doesn’t require Wi-Fi, doesn’t have a battery, and never gets a firmware update that breaks it. Many NYC apartments end up with a hybrid: traditional high-security cylinder on the deadbolt, smart-lock retrofit (August, Level Bolt) for convenience.

Should I get a deadbolt only, or a deadbolt + handleset?

For a primary apartment or house entrance: deadbolt + handleset (or deadbolt + keyed knob/lever). The deadbolt is the security — it’s what keeps the door shut against force — and the handleset/lever is what keeps the door latched in normal use so the deadbolt isn’t holding the door against the wind. For an interior or low-risk back door, a single Grade-2 deadbolt is usually fine. We do not recommend keyed knobs as the only lock on any street-level NYC entry door.

Do NYC buildings have rules about changing apartment locks?

Yes — most co-ops and many rentals require hardware the super can access in an emergency, often through a restricted key system or a registered key code, and some buildings prohibit drilling new holes in fire-rated doors. We check your lease and building requirements before recommending hardware, so the lock we install passes both your security needs and your building’s rules the first time.

Can you replace mailbox locks too?

Yes. Mailbox lock replacement in NYC buildings means matching the exact cam length and footprint of the original so it fits the existing cutout and engages the lock bar correctly. We carry the common formats used across Manhattan buildings and can swap a mailbox lock in minutes once we confirm the fit.