Lock Rekeying in Myrtle Beach, SC

Why rekeying comes up in Myrtle Beach

Rekeying changes the pins inside a lock's cylinder so the old keys stop working and a new key takes over, while the hardware stays on the door. Census ACS 2024 5-year estimates show renters in about 40 percent of Myrtle Beach's occupied homes, and about 4,200 units, roughly one in six, vacant for seasonal, recreational or occasional use. Owners, managers, cleaners and guests can each end up with a copy, and only a change to the lock cancels them all.

The rule for renters

If you rent, the South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act comes first. Section 27-40-530(e) says a tenant shall not change locks without the landlord's permission, so get it in writing and ask whether the landlord wants a copy of the new key. This is general information, not legal advice.

Seasonal homes and changes of owner

A second home, whether in Grande Dunes, The Dunes or another neighborhood, can sit empty for weeks, then fill with guests and cleaners in a single weekend. Rekeying when a busy stretch ends, or before the next one starts, resets who holds a working key.

Homes passed between owners collect loose copies too. A buyer, whether in Withers Swash or Myrtle Heights, cannot know how many keys exist for the home, which is the practical reason to rekey at closing. Rekeying suits locks that still work well; if a cylinder is worn or damaged, replacement is the better route.

What to send with a rekey request

• How many exterior doors, and which ones: front, back, garage entry, sliding door
• Whether you want the locks keyed alike, so one key opens them all
• The brand marked on each lock, if you can read it
• Whether you own, rent or manage the home, and whether the owner has agreed
• Your neighborhood or avenue number in Myrtle Beach