Lock Rekeying in Nashville, TN

Why keys pile up in Nashville

Census estimates for 2024 put renters at 48.2 percent of Nashville households, against about a third statewide. Each move can leave a set of keys behind. Rekeying resets the pins inside a cylinder so old keys stop turning it, while the lock body and trim stay on the door, which makes it the usual reset when tenants turn over. A worn or damaged cylinder may call for lock replacement instead.

Doors that serve more than one household

• Converted houses in Edgefield. Numerous single-family houses there were divided into apartments. Ask whether the shared street door is rekeyed along with the unit locks; otherwise, former tenants' keys may still open the front.
• Townhomes and condos. Single-family attached homes are 10.2 percent of Nashville housing, more than double the statewide share. Garage, lobby and mailbox locks may belong to the association or building, so ask who controls them before rekeying.
• New owners. Buyers seldom know how many copies the last owner handed out. Rekeying every exterior door retires them all at once.

Tennessee rental law and locks

Nashville's county, Davidson, is one of the 17 Tennessee counties where the Uniform Residential Landlord and Tenant Act applies (T.C.A. § 66-28-102). At move-in, ask in writing whether the locks were rekeyed after the last tenant.

One provision touches keys. When a tenancy is terminated over domestic abuse, § 66-28-517(g) allows only the perpetrator to be evicted, and the landlord may remove that person from a lease in effect. A court must first have granted the victim an order of protection that meets the statute's conditions, the landlord must have a copy, and the victim and all adult tenants must agree in writing not to let the perpetrator return. If a co-tenant leaves this way, put the rekey request to the landlord in writing and settle who pays. This is general information, not legal advice.

What to include in a request

• How many exterior doors, counting side, back and garage-entry doors.
• Whether every lock should take the same key.
• Whether a landlord, association or board must approve the work.

Housing background for these steps is on the Nashville page.