Rekeying between Albany tenants

Under Chapter 231 of the Albany City Code, landlords must register each rental unit and hold a Residential Occupancy Permit, renewed every 30 months after a city inspection. Inspectors confirm that unit doors lock and work. Which old keys still fit is a separate question, and the gap between one tenant and the next is the usual moment to settle it. This is general information, not legal advice.

Rekeying changes the pins inside the existing cylinder so old keys stop working and a new key takes over. The lock body, trim and deadbolt stay on the door, which is useful when that hardware already works well.

Buildings with several doors

Small multi-unit buildings are common in New York: about 16 percent of homes across the state are in two-to-four-unit buildings. In a two-family or three-unit Albany house, decide whether the shared entrance, each apartment door, the basement and any storage room should run on one key, on separate keys, or on a mix, with the owner holding a key that opens the common doors.

Owners, renters and buyers

The Pastures mixes owner-occupied and rented historic homes, so on one block a door may be rekeyed for a new tenant while the house next door changes hands at a sale. A buyer rarely knows how many copies the previous owner gave to contractors, dog walkers or neighbors, which is one reason buyers rekey after closing.

Detached houses, which make up most of Buckingham Lake, add side, garage and patio doors. Rekey all of them to the new key, or the old key still works somewhere.

What to include in a rekeying request

How many doors and cylinders, counting garage, basement and storm-door locks.
The brand name stamped on the lock face or key head, if visible.
Whether you want one key for everything or separate keys for tenants and owner.
For a rental, whether the landlord or a property manager is arranging the work.

A lock that sticks or grinds may need lock repair first. Read more about lock rekeying, or see the Albany page for local notes.

At the door

What lock rekeying covers

Changing the pins inside your existing locks so old keys stop working, without replacing the hardware.

An inspection of each lock to confirm it can be rekeyed
Re-pinning each cylinder to work with a new key
New keys cut for the rekeyed locks

ID and proof you may access the property are checked before any work.

Lock Rekeying in New York

Sources

Public records and references this page draws on. They are outside USA Locksmith Pros and open in a new tab.

Lock Rekeying in Albany, NY