We get these calls more often than you’d think. Someone just went through a breakup, their ex still has a key, and they want the locks changed — yesterday. Totally understandable. If you’re in that situation right now and you’re Googling lock rekey in Burbank, here are the answers to the questions we hear most.
Do I Actually Need to Rekey My Locks, or Can I Just Ask for the Key Back?
You can ask. But honestly? We’ve seen too many situations where a spare key was floating around — left with a friend, tucked in a glove box, copied at the MinuteKey kiosk inside the Burbank Target on Victory. You just never know how many copies exist.
Rekeying is the only way to be 100% sure the old key no longer works. The locksmith changes the internal pins inside your existing lock so that a brand-new key is required. Your old key becomes useless. It takes about 15–20 minutes per lock, and you keep the same hardware — no need to replace the deadbolt or knob unless you want to.
For a quick breakdown of the full process, check out our page on Burbank locksmith services.
How Much Does a Lock Rekey in Burbank Cost?
For a standard residential rekey, most Burbank customers pay somewhere between $19 and $35 per lock cylinder. If you’ve got a front door deadbolt and a knob lock, that’s two cylinders. A typical apartment on Glenoaks Blvd or one of those bungalows off Magnolia might have 2–4 lock cylinders total, putting you in the $50–$120 range for the whole job.
A few things can nudge the price up: high-security locks (like Medeco or Mul-T-Lock), smart locks that need reprogramming, or after-hours service. But a standard Kwikset or Schlage rekey? Pretty straightforward and affordable.
We always quote before we start — no surprises.
Can You Rekey My Apartment, or Does My Landlord Have to Do It?
Good question, and it comes up a lot with renters near the Burbank Media District and those apartment complexes along Olive Avenue. California law (Civil Code 1941.3) actually requires landlords to rekey locks between tenants. But mid-lease after a breakup? That’s a gray area.
Here’s what we recommend: call your landlord or property manager first. Many will authorize a rekey as long as you provide them a copy of the new key. Some will even cover the cost. If they drag their feet and you feel unsafe, California law does allow tenants to change locks in domestic violence situations — but you’ll want to document everything.
Either way, we can handle the rekey itself. The conversation with your landlord is up to you.
How Fast Can You Get to My Place in Burbank?
We serve all of Burbank — from the Rancho area near Brace Canyon Park down to the Magnolia Park shops, and everywhere between Chandler Blvd and the Burbank Town Center. Our typical response time is 20–30 minutes depending on traffic and time of day.
We operate 24/7, so if you’re having a 2 AM panic about your ex still having access, we can be there. Late-night and weekend calls may carry a small service fee, but we’ll tell you upfront before dispatching.
Should I Rekey or Just Replace the Locks Entirely?
If your locks are in decent shape — functioning smoothly, no rust, no wobble — a rekey is the smarter move. Same security result, lower cost, faster job.
But if your locks are old, sticky, or you’ve been meaning to upgrade anyway, a breakup is actually a great time to do it. We can set you up with new deadbolts, smart locks, or keypad entry systems. If you’re leaning that direction, take a look at our page for options.
A lot of our customers on the residential streets near John Burroughs High School or up in the hillside homes off Country Club Drive end up doing a combination — rekey the back door, upgrade the front. We’ll walk through what makes sense for your specific setup.
Will My HOA or Condo Association Have a Problem with This?
Most HOAs in Burbank — including those newer condo developments along San Fernando Blvd — don’t restrict you from rekeying your own unit’s locks. You’re not changing the exterior appearance of anything. The lock hardware stays the same; only the internal pins change.
That said, if your building uses a master key system (common in larger complexes), let us know ahead of time. We can rekey your lock while keeping it compatible with the building’s master key, so maintenance and management can still access in an emergency. This is something we handle regularly and it doesn’t add much to the job.
One Last Thing
Going through a breakup is stressful enough. Getting your locks rekeyed shouldn’t add to that stress — it should actually take some of it away. Once that lock rekey in Burbank is done and you’re holding a fresh set of keys that only you control, there’s a real sense of relief.
The Locksmith HQ Team handles these calls with zero judgment and full discretion. If you’re ready to get it done, give us a call at (818) 398-9391. We’ll get to your place fast and take care of it so you can move forward.
