Lock Rekeying in Miami, FL

Why rekeying follows moves in Miami

Renters are the majority in Miami: 67.3 percent of occupied homes in the Census Bureau's 2024 estimates, against about 32 percent across Florida. Each move-out leaves keys with former tenants, roommates and visitors. Lock rekeying resets the cylinder so those keys stop working while the hardware stays on the door. New owners and landlords rekey for the same reason: nobody can say how many copies of the old key exist.

Palm Grove (1921 to 1959) runs from modest Miami-style bungalows to post-war multi-family buildings. Where one gate or street door serves several units, ask the landlord or association whether that shared lock is rekeyed too. A new lock on your unit does nothing about an old key to the gate.

What Florida law says about locks in rentals

Part II of Chapter 83, Florida Statutes, governs residential tenancies. Three provisions bear on rekeying:

• Section 83.51(2)(a). Unless otherwise agreed in writing, the landlord of a unit other than a single-family home or duplex must make reasonable provisions for locks and keys. It does not cover a rented house or duplex, so read the lease there.
• Section 83.53. A tenant may not unreasonably withhold consent for the landlord to enter. Separately, check the lease for a clause on changing locks before you rekey.
• Section 83.67(2). A landlord may not prevent a tenant's reasonable access by changing the locks or using a bootlock or similar device.

Section 509.211(5) adds a rule for apartment buildings regulated under Chapter 509: they must log the issuance and return of every unit's keys and set policies for storing and accessing unissued keys. At move-in, ask how keys to your unit are tracked. This is general information, not legal advice.

What to send with a request

Say whether you are the owner, landlord or tenant, whether the property is a house or a unit in a larger building, how many locks are involved and whether you want them keyed alike. Mention any shared gate or lobby key that belongs in the job. If the locks are worn as well as compromised, see lock replacement. The Miami page explains the local housing mix.