Lock Changes and Rekeying Fees: Why Landlords Usually Can’t Charge Tenants
Blog post description.
6/30/20262 min read
Lock Changes and Rekeying Fees: Why Landlords Usually Can’t Charge Tenants
If your landlord deducted money for:
changing locks
rekeying
replacing keys
“security”
you were probably overcharged.
These fees are one of the most misunderstood — and most abused — parts of security-deposit law.
This guide explains when lock charges are legal, when they are not, and how renters force refunds when landlords misuse them.
Why Landlords Love Rekeying Charges
They’re:
easy to claim
hard to verify
routinely done anyway
rarely challenged
Most landlords rekey between tenants as standard practice.
Then they try to charge the outgoing tenant.
That’s illegal in many states.
The Core Legal Principle
Landlords may only deduct for:
tenant-caused damage
beyond normal wear
proven with evidence
Changing locks for security between tenants is:
normal business practice
not tenant damage
You can’t charge renters for it.
When Rekeying Can Be Legal
Only when:
the tenant lost keys
or broke locks
or created a real security issue
Even then:
the cost must be reasonable
depreciation applies
proof is required
Most landlords skip these steps.
Why “We Always Rekey” Works Against Them
If the landlord:
“always rekeys between tenants”
that proves:
it’s routine
it’s not tenant-specific
it’s not deductible
Routine expenses are landlord costs.
Why Judges Dislike These Charges
Judges ask:
Did the tenant lose keys?
Did the lock break?
Was rekeying necessary?
Is this standard practice?
When answers are weak, renters win.
The Duplicate Key Scam
Some landlords charge:
$50
$100
$200
for copying a key.
Actual cost: a few dollars.
Without proof, this is overcharging.
Receipts Without Necessity Are Still Weak
Even if a landlord shows a receipt:
it doesn’t prove the tenant caused the need
it doesn’t override normal turnover
You’re not paying for standard security updates.
What Renters Do to Win
They:
ask why it was necessary
demand proof of tenant fault
enforce deadlines
escalate
Most rekeying charges collapse.
The Deadline Advantage
If rekeying was listed:
late
without proof
or vaguely
it may be completely unenforceable.
What This Means for You
If your deposit was reduced for:
rekeying
lock changes
key replacement
there’s a strong chance it was illegal.
Want the Exact Rekeying-Charge Destruction System?
This article explains why lock charges usually fail.
What you need is the exact scripts and escalation steps.
📘 Get Your Security Deposit Back includes:
rekeying-charge challenge templates
proof-demand wording
deadline enforcement logic
court-ready filings
the complete recovery system
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