Why keys go stale in Virginia Beach

In the ACS 2024 1-year Census estimates, renters occupy about 37 percent of the city's occupied homes, and about 15 percent of residents moved in the past year. Each move can leave copies behind: a seller's contractor, a former tenant, a neighbor who watered the plants. Rekeying refits the existing cylinder to a new key so the old ones stop turning, while the knob, deadbolt and handle stay on the door. It suits a new owner or a landlord between tenants when the hardware is sound. If it is worn or loose, lock replacement fits better.

Short-term rentals in Sandbridge and the Oceanfront

The city defines a short-term rental as an entire dwelling rented for compensation for less than 30 consecutive days. Every property in the Sandbridge Special Service District is eligible, while new rentals in the Oceanfront Resort STR Overlay District need a conditional use permit. With guests coming and going, one unreturned key can reach a stranger. A host can rekey after any missing key or at the end of a rental season, and keep a count of the copies that are out.

Leases and the NAS Oceana disclosure

Virginia Beach has NAS Oceana, so Va. Code § 55.1-1217 applies to landlords here. Before a written lease is signed, or before move-in under an oral lease, the landlord must disclose in writing whether the property lies in a noise zone or accident potential zone on the locality's official zoning map. Without that disclosure, a tenant may end the lease in its first 30 days by written notice sent as the statute directs. An early exit is another turnover, and another reason to rekey before the next tenant. This is general information, not legal advice.

Details that help

How many exterior doors, counting side, back and garage entry doors, and whether all should share one key
The name printed on the lock face, if you can see it
Whether you own, rent or manage the home; a tenant should read the lease and tell the landlord before changing a unit lock
In an association community, who else holds keys to shared gates or storage

More on lock rekeying and the Virginia Beach page.

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 Virginia

Sources

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

Lock Rekeying in Virginia Beach, VA