So your roommate moved out. Maybe it was on good terms, maybe not. Either way, they’ve still got a copy of your key — and possibly copies they made at the Ace Hardware on Brand Blvd without telling you. That thought alone is enough to keep you up at night.
We get calls about this exact situation multiple times a week from renters and homeowners across Glendale. Here are the questions we hear most, answered straight.
What Exactly Is Lock Rekeying, and How Is It Different From Changing the Lock?
Rekeying means we adjust the pins inside your existing lock cylinder so that the old key no longer works. You get a brand new key, and the old one becomes useless. The lock hardware itself — the deadbolt, the knob, the whole thing on your door — stays exactly where it is.
A full lock change means we remove the entire lock and install a new one. That costs more, takes longer, and usually isn’t necessary unless your hardware is damaged or outdated.
For a roommate-moved-out situation, lock rekey in Glendale is almost always the right call. It’s faster, cheaper, and gets the job done.
How Much Does Lock Rekey in Glendale Cost?
For a standard residential rekey, most Glendale customers pay somewhere between $20 and $40 per lock. That depends on the lock type and brand. A basic Kwikset deadbolt is on the lower end. A Schlage or Medeco runs a bit higher because the pin systems are more complex.
If you’ve got a front door deadbolt, a knob lock, and a back door — figure three locks — you’re probably looking at $75 to $120 total, including the service call. Some locksmiths charge extra for weekend or late-night visits. We try to keep pricing transparent so there are no surprises when we show up at your apartment off Glenoaks Blvd at 9 PM.
Compare that to buying three brand new locks at Home Depot and hiring someone to install them, and the savings are obvious.
Can My Landlord Rekey the Locks, or Do I Handle It Myself?
This is a big one for renters in Glendale, especially around the apartments near downtown on Central Ave or the complexes along Colorado Street. California Civil Code 1941.3 actually gives tenants the right to request a lock change when there’s a safety concern, including after a cohabitant moves out.
Here’s how it usually works: ask your landlord first. Many property managers in Glendale will handle it or reimburse you, especially if you explain the situation. If they drag their feet, you can legally have the locks rekeyed yourself — just make sure to give your landlord a copy of the new key.
We work with a lot of property management companies across the Glendale area and can coordinate directly with them if that’s easier for you.
How Long Does the Whole Process Take?
A single lock takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Most apartments and homes in Glendale have two to four locks on exterior doors, so you’re looking at roughly 30 to 45 minutes from the time we walk in to the time you’re holding new keys.
We’ve done same-day lock rekey in Glendale for plenty of customers who called in the morning and had new keys by lunch. If you’re in the Adams Hill neighborhood, Rossmoyne, or anywhere near the Americana, we can usually get to you within an hour during business hours.
Should I Rekey or Upgrade to a Smart Lock?
If you’re already thinking about security because a roommate left, this might be a good time to consider going keyless. A smart lock means no physical keys to copy — you control access with a code, an app, or both. If a future roommate moves out, you just delete their code. Done.
We offer smart lock installation in Glendale alongside rekeying, and a lot of customers end up doing both: smart lock on the front door, rekey the side or back door. It’s a practical combo that covers all your bases without breaking the budget.
That said, if your budget is tight right now, a rekey is perfectly solid. A rekeyed deadbolt with the old key floating around is every bit as secure as a brand new lock.
What If My Ex-Roommate Already Made Extra Copies of the Key?
Doesn’t matter. Once we rekey the lock, every single copy of the old key — whether there’s one or ten — becomes a useless piece of metal. That’s the whole point. It doesn’t matter if they made duplicates at every key kiosk from Glendale Galleria to Montrose, none of them will turn your lock.
This is actually the number one reason people call us for lock rekey in Glendale after a roommate situation. You never really know how many copies are out there, and rekeying eliminates the guesswork entirely.
Ready to Get Your Locks Rekeyed?
If you’re in Glendale and dealing with a roommate transition — or any situation where someone has a key they shouldn’t — we can help. Check out our full Glendale locksmith services page, or just give the Locksmith HQ Team a call at (818) 398-9391. We’re available 24/7 and can usually get to you the same day.
