We get the call almost every week. Someone in a condo off Erwin Street, a renter near The Village at Westfield Topanga, or a homeowner up in the hills above Mulholland — they just split with a partner, and the locks haven’t been touched in years. Below are the questions we hear most often from folks dealing with this exact situation. Written by the Locksmith HQ Team after thousands of jobs across the Valley.
Should I rekey or replace my locks after my ex moves out?
Rekey, almost every time. If your existing deadbolts and knobs are in decent shape — meaning they turn smoothly and the housing isn’t cracked — there’s no reason to throw them out. A lock rekey in Woodland Hills changes the internal pins so the old key stops working, while the hardware on your door stays the same. Replacement only makes sense if the lock is already failing, you want a smart lock, or the brand is something cheap that should be upgraded anyway. For a standard 3-bedroom home around Serrania Park or Walnut Acres, rekeying is roughly a third of the cost of replacing everything.
How much does it cost to rekey locks in Woodland Hills?
For most homes between Topanga Canyon Blvd and De Soto Ave, you’re looking at $19–$25 per cylinder for the rekey labor itself, plus a service call fee. A typical Woodland Hills house has 3 to 5 exterior cylinders (front door, back door, side gate door, maybe a garage entry), so the full job usually lands between $120 and $200. Condos near Warner Center tend to be cheaper since there’s often just one front door and a patio slider. We give a flat quote on the phone before the tech rolls out — no surprise charges once they’re at your driveway.
Can you come the same day? My ex still has a key.
Yes. Same-day is standard for us across the 91364, 91367, and 91303 zip codes. If you call in the morning, we’re usually at your door within 60–90 minutes depending on traffic on the 101. Late-night calls happen too — we had a job near Pierce College at 2 a.m. last month after a tenant came home to find her ex’s stuff cleared out and wanted the locks changed before she’d sleep there. We don’t charge a premium for daytime emergencies, and our overnight rate is reasonable. Browse all our Woodland Hills locksmith services to see what we cover.
What if my ex’s name is still on the lease?
This is the trickiest one. In California, if a person is on the lease, you generally cannot lock them out without going through the proper process — even after a breakup. That said, if there’s a restraining order, a domestic violence situation, or your landlord approves the change in writing, you’re clear to rekey. For owned homes where only one of you is on the title, you don’t need anyone’s permission. We’ll ask a couple of quick questions when you call so we can flag any issues before the tech arrives. We won’t refuse the job, but we want you protected legally too.
What about apartments and HOA properties?
Most apartments around Canoga Park Ave and Ventura Blvd require you to notify the landlord and provide them a copy of the new key. HOAs in gated communities like The Trails or Carlton Terrace usually have similar rules. We can leave a copy with management if you authorize it — totally normal request.
Should I also upgrade my deadbolt while you’re here?
If your current deadbolt is a basic Kwikset from Home Depot circa 2010, this is the right moment to upgrade. A Grade 1 or Grade 2 deadbolt resists kick-ins way better than the builder-grade stuff most Woodland Hills tract homes came with. We carry Schlage B60s and Medeco cylinders on the truck. Combining a rekey on existing locks with a on your front door is a popular combo after a breakup — extra peace of mind for not much more money. Adds about 20 minutes to the appointment.
What else should I do besides changing the locks?
A short list from techs who’ve seen everything:
- Change your garage door opener code, and remove any old remotes your ex had clipped to their visor.
- Check the side gate and pool gate — people forget these and they often share keys with the house.
- If you have a smart lock or keypad, delete their user code, don’t just change yours.
- Reset any shared smart home accounts (Ring, Nest, August) before they get locked out of the app and call you angry.
- Grab your spare from under the planter. Seriously. Everybody knows where it is.
If you’re somewhere between Topanga and Tarzana and need this handled today, give us a ring at (818) 398-9391. We’ll get a tech to you fast and have you back to a quiet evening before dinner. — Locksmith HQ Team
