Start with a door-by-door record

Moving into a home leaves a practical question: which keys, codes and accounts still open it? A handover bundle tells you what was returned, but it does not tell you how many copies exist. Before choosing hardware, make a short record of the entrances you are responsible for and the access you want each person to have.

Walk through the property with the owner or authorized manager where possible. Include the front and rear doors, a pedestrian gate, patio-door locks and any separately locked storage. Keep communal entrances on a separate list: permission to change your own unit's lock does not establish permission to change a shared entrance.

  • Give each door a simple name, such as “kitchen rear door.”
  • Record which supplied key opens it and whether the door closes and locks normally.
  • Note a keypad, connected lock or shared-entry credential separately from a physical key.
  • Mark missing keys, binding locks and permissions that still need confirmation.

Keep this record private. A working list of entrances and keys should not be included in a public moving checklist or property photograph.

Separate access changes from repair work

An unknown key history and a faulty lock are different problems. If the hardware works but you do not know who has keys, ask whether the cylinders can be rekeyed. Rekeying changes the key that operates a compatible cylinder. It does not correct a dragging door, loose handle or damaged latch.

If a key works with the door open but the lock binds when it closes, describe that difference when requesting an assessment. Do not assume that every difficult lock needs a replacement cylinder. The door, strike and lock may need to be considered together.

The existing rekeying page for Sherman Oaks explains that option. For worn or damaged hardware, use the Sherman Oaks lock repair page. Tell the office your actual location when asking about a visit.

Decide who should have which key

Write down who needs everyday entry and who needs occasional access. A household member, a cleaner and someone checking the property while you are away may need different arrangements. Decide who will keep an authorized spare and how you will record its return.

Ask about keyed-alike cylinders if carrying several keys is the problem. Compatibility must be checked; different locks cannot automatically be made to use one key. If controlled duplication matters, discuss high-security locks and restricted keyways before buying replacement hardware. The exact system determines its key-control arrangements.

For a rental or managed property, establish the approval process before booking a change. Have the person responsible for the property confirm which doors are included and who needs keys afterward.

Treat electronic access as a separate handover

A physical key handover may leave an electronic lock connected to a previous account. Find the manufacturer's instructions and identify who currently administers it. Ask the authorized account holder to arrange the supported transfer process and review existing user access.

Do not reset a connected lock simply to see what happens. First confirm the model, who is authorized to manage it, how you will maintain entry during the work and whether assistance is needed. Smart lock installation information covers door and hardware considerations; account-transfer instructions must match the actual product.

Prepare one clear request

Give the office your location, the number of affected doors, the reason for the change and any operating faults. Mention when you expect authorized access to the property and whether a landlord or manager needs to approve the work. Avoid sending working codes or account passwords in the initial request.

Ask which parts can be assessed from a description and what needs inspection before a scope can be agreed. The aim is a defined handover: agreed doors, working hardware, known key holders and a record of the changes. Use the residential locksmith page for the available work, or contact Superior with your list.