Why keys circulate in Kenosha

About 42.0 percent of Kenosha's occupied homes are rented, by 2024 Census Bureau estimates, against about 32 percent statewide. Each move-out or house sale can leave copies with past tenants, relatives or contractors. Rekeying changes the pins inside a cylinder so old keys stop working, while the lock body, handle and door stay in place.

The unit door and rental turnover

Kenosha's property maintenance code, Section 16.18, calls for a keyed deadbolt on the door into each dwelling unit. When one is already fitted and works well, a rekey between tenants keeps that hardware and retires the old keys.

Timing matters for landlords. Wisconsin Administrative Code ATCP 134.09(7) bars a landlord from excluding or evicting a tenant other than through a court eviction procedure, and the state's Landlord-Tenant Guide says constructive eviction could include changing the locks. A rekey between tenancies avoids that question; a tenant who wants one should read the lease and ask the landlord first. This is general information, not legal advice.

Mixed blocks and older doors

In Uptown, where locally owned businesses and homes mix, a shop door and a home door should not share a key. Where a storefront and the floor above it have separate street doors, settle who holds each key before a rekey.

An original door may still carry a mortise lock, the type whose body is recessed into the edge of the door. Many of these can be rekeyed instead of replaced, as long as the cylinder is not badly worn. A house with front, side, basement and garage doors can be put on one key, provided the locks share a keyway.

What to include in your request

How many doors, and which ones, including basement, storage, upstairs and shop doors
Whether this follows a purchase, a move-out or lost keys
For a rental, whether you are the owner, the manager or a tenant with the landlord's approval
How many new keys you want

The lock rekeying page covers the service. For cylinders too worn to rekey, see lock replacement. Kenosha overview: Kenosha.

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 Wisconsin

Sources

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

Lock Rekeying in Kenosha, WI