Why old keys pile up in Charleston

Renters live in 46.4 percent of Charleston's occupied homes, by Census Bureau estimates for 2024, against 27.7 percent across South Carolina. Each move-out raises the same question: how many copies of the old key are still out there? Rekeying answers it by resetting the pins inside the cylinder to a new key. The lock body, handle and finish stay on the door, and the old keys stop turning it.

Rental blocks and who may rekey

When the city extended its rental registration pilot to Radcliffeborough and Mazyck-Wraggborough, it pointed to the number of college rental properties there. For an owner in blocks like these, a rekey between leases keeps a departing tenant's copies from opening the next tenant's door.

Tenants face the opposite rule. Section 27-40-530(e) of the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act says a tenant shall not change locks without the landlord's permission, so ask before a rekey too. Get the answer in writing and ask whether the landlord wants a copy of the new key. This is general information, not legal advice.

New owners in West Ashley

West Ashley's first neighborhoods date to the 1950s, and its largest wave of homes came in the 1970s and 1980s, after suburban highways eased commuting. A house in Hickory Hill or Shadowmoss Plantation that has changed hands a few times since may still open to keys held by past owners, their contractors or a neighbor who once fed the cat. Rekeying every exterior door after closing, garage and side entries included, settles that without new hardware.

What to put in a rekey request

how many locks, and which doors they are on
whether you own, or rent and have written permission
on a single house, whether the street door and the piazza door should take one key
whether any lock belongs to a building system run by management

Locks can also be keyed alike, so one key opens several doors. Worn or broken hardware is a case for lock replacement instead. The lock rekeying page explains the process; the Charleston page covers local housing.

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 South Carolina

Sources

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

Lock Rekeying in Charleston, SC