Who is Authorized to Change Locks

Is it time to change the locks on your home or your business? Have you ever had them changed before? If not, you may be wondering who will be able to get them changed. Do you have to have to present some document showing that you own the place, get a signed letter from your leasing agent or some other legal document to say that you can do it? There are several things that you may be wondering if you are new to the process. But, don’t worry, you’ll find out all you need to know right now.

When the time comes for you to finally change those locks, make sure that you call on a locksmith that can get the job done right.

How Do You Know When to Change Your Locks?

There are many instances where you may need to have your locks changed. Here are a few.

• The locks are rusting.
• There is some damage to the lock.
• Your key is stuck in the lock.
• You’ve just experienced a break-in.

All these situations warrant a speedy change of locks and if you do not replace these locks, you will be protected by locks that are not functioning properly. Never delay replacing locks. The longer the delay, the longer you remain vulnerable to criminals.

This brings us the point of lock inspections. It is very important that you inspect your locks periodically. From afar, it may seem like your locks are perfectly fine. But, when you inspect them carefully, you may realize that there are a lot of things going wrong with your locks. From small areas of rust to damage in a few areas, a lot can be going wrong with your locks and it may go unnoticed if you do not check for those things.

If you do not want to inspect your locks on your own, feel free to hire a locksmith to do so for you. Waiting until your lock has completely given way may not be the best thing to do. If you can spot damage before it gets severe, you will have adequate time to save or budget for purchasing new locks. This way, it will not pop up as a surprise and without warning.

Protocols for Changing Locks

There are different situations under which locks will require changing, and since locksmiths tend to categorize their services, we will also categorize the types of customers that may require lock changes. Just look for the situation that speaks to your circumstance so you can figure out what to do so you can get your locks changed.

• Can Tenants Change Locks?

  If you have leased your home or apartment, your lease should speak to this. Generally though, landlords will not allow their tenants to change the locks especially on exterior doors. Landlords should always have access to their property even though they often do not take advantage of it. In some instances, a landlord may approve a change or locks, providing that they also receive copies of keys for the new locks. But, a landlord is generally not allowed to change locks with the tenants agreeing to this change.

  So, don’t worry. Your landlord won’t be able to kick you out (legally) by simply changing the locks to your apartment. A legal process often has to precede any eviction that takes place. Locksmiths are fully aware of this and so they will not make lock changes without knowing that they are acting within the laws.

• What’s the Protocol for Changing Locks on Commercial Buildings and Offices?

  Commercial building and offices tend to have a different set of rules. Even though you may be leasing a space, you may be allowed to change the locks on the doors. Many general managers usually have authority to change locks too. If your building has a property manager, you should be able to check with that person to see who has the authority to change locks if you are unsure.

  In many instances, if there has been a security breach, a change of locks is expected and may not require stringent permission channels. However, it never hurts to check the policy of your company and building. Locksmiths tend to do the same. It would be quite disastrous for a lock to be changed by an unauthorized individual.

• Who Can Change Locks on Homes and Vehicles?

  Typically, a locksmith will ask for the owner or one homeowner to be present when locks are being changed. This is why it is possible for a wife to change the locks on her husband or vice versa. Both owners are not required to consent or be present. The same goes for vehicles. Since vehicles tend to have just one owner, this may be a bit easier.

Changing Your Locks

Once the time has come for you to change your locks, it is important that you do not try to delay the process. This is especially true if the locks are needed for exterior doors or doors that are used as barriers to very important areas of your home or business. There are many locks on the market today for you to choose from. Changing your locks can involve simply switching to a new lock of the same type. But, it can also mean that you install a completely different type of lock.

Whichever you choose, just make sure that your locksmith is able to give you the service that you are expecting. Don’t have a locksmith? Now is the time to start searching for one. Just make sure that the locksmith you find is reliable, affordable and has the expertise needed to complete many locksmith services.