Why old keys keep working after a move

Lock rekeying changes what a cylinder accepts, so old keys stop working while the lock body, handle and door stay in place. It suits working hardware such as the bored knob locks and deadbolts on Bend's newer houses. If the two take different keys, rekeying can put both on one.

Keys spread with every sale and move: a spare with a neighbor, a contractor's copy, the set a previous owner or tenant kept. Renters live in 36.9 percent of Oregon's occupied homes, so a change of tenant is another common reason.

Planning keys for a lot with accessory units

Bend permits up to two accessory dwelling units of 800 square feet or less on a residential lot that has a single-unit home, townhome or manufactured home. Before rekeying, decide which key opens which door: one per dwelling, plus a shared key for any side gate every household uses. A tenant's move-out then means rekeying only that unit.

Rental rules that touch keys

Lost tenant key. ORS 90.302(7)(c) leaves the cost of replacing a key the tenant lost outside the statute's limits on landlord fees.
New locks after abuse. Under ORS 90.459, a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault, bias crime or stalking can request new locks without first providing verification. The landlord must promptly change them at the tenant's expense or let the tenant do it. If the landlord does not, the tenant may change them and must give the landlord a key.
Short-term rentals. Bend requires a land use permit for most short-term rentals (Bend Development Code 3.6.500). A host who hands keys to cleaners and guests can rekey when one goes missing.

For any other rental, check the lease and tell the landlord before rekeying. This is general information, not legal advice.

What to include in a request

How many locks, on which doors, and how many keys to cut
Whether the locks should share one key, and what prompted the change
Your district, such as Mountain View in the northeast

A cylinder that is seized or badly worn may need lock replacement instead. The Bend page summarizes the city's rental and accessory-unit rules.

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 Oregon

Sources

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

Lock Rekeying in Bend, OR