Commercial Rekeying Guide: Tenant Turnover, Staff Changes, and Rekey vs Replace

If you manage a commercial building or run a business, rekeying is one of the simplest ways to protect your property.

But it’s also one of the most misunderstood.

Many people wait until a problem happens, like:

• missing keys
• staff turnover
• tenant turnover
• a lockout
• unauthorized access concerns

At Supreme Lock Solutions Ltd., we provide commercial locksmith services across Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, including rekeying for businesses, managed properties, and professional facilities.

This guide explains:

• when rekeying makes sense
• when replacing is a better option
• how property managers can use rekeying to stay in control
• what to check so the door is actually secure

What Rekeying Means

Rekeying changes the internal pins of a lock cylinder so:

• old keys stop working
• new keys are issued

This is one of the fastest ways to reset access, especially when hardware is still in good condition.

Rekeying is often ideal for commercial buildings because it restores security without needing a full hardware replacement in many situations.

The Most Common Reasons Businesses Rekey

Businesses and property managers usually rekey when:

1) Staff turnover happens

When an employee leaves, you cannot always know if keys were copied or distributed.

2) Tenant turnover happens

Tenant turnover creates key risk automatically. Even if keys are returned, copies may still exist.

3) Keys are lost

A single lost key can create a building-wide security concern depending on what it opens.

4) Contractors had access

Contractors and vendors often need temporary access, but keys sometimes remain in circulation longer than expected.

5) You don’t know who has keys

If you can’t confidently say who has keys today, key control has been lost.

Tenant Turnover Rekeying (Property Manager Priority)

Property management companies deal with turnover constantly.

Suite doors, staff doors, storage rooms, and access points often need rekeying because key control can disappear quickly.

During tenant turnover, rekeying is one of the best ways to:

• restore control immediately
• protect incoming tenants
• reduce liability
• prevent former access from remaining active

What Should Be Rekeyed During Turnover?

A proper turnover rekey plan often includes:

• suite doors
• main entrances (when required)
• staff doors
• back doors and side doors
• storage rooms
• mechanical rooms
• office areas

Property managers do not always need to rekey every door every time, but high-risk doors should always be considered.

Rekeying vs Replacing: What’s the Difference?

Rekeying

Rekeying is best when:

• the lock hardware is in good condition
• you want to reset access quickly
• the problem is key control, not hardware failure
• you want to reduce cost compared to full replacement

Replacing

Replacing is often better when:

• the hardware is worn out
• the lock is failing repeatedly
• keys stick even after door alignment is corrected
• the door needs a major security upgrade
• the current lock is outdated or inconsistent

A good commercial locksmith will inspect the lock and door conditions and recommend the best fix based on the actual problem, not guesswork.

The Biggest Mistake: Rekeying a Door That Doesn’t Latch Properly

This is extremely common in commercial buildings:

A lock gets rekeyed, but the door still doesn’t latch properly.

If a door doesn’t latch every time, the building may not be secured, even if the lock is “new.”

Common causes include:

• door sag
• hinge wear
• strike misalignment
• door closer failure
• panic hardware issues

That’s why rekeying should often include a quick inspection of door function.

How to Tell if Your Door Is the Real Problem

If you see any of these issues, door alignment may need work:

• you have to pull the door to lock it
• you have to push hard to get it to latch
• the key is hard to turn at certain times
• the latch doesn’t line up consistently
• the door drags or rubs
• the closer doesn’t shut the door all the way

Fixing the door often makes the lock work smoothly again.

How Rekeying Helps Prevent Commercial Lockouts

Many commercial lockouts happen because:

• the door was binding
• the key was forced
• the cylinder wore out
• a key snapped

A rekey, combined with door alignment correction, can prevent lockouts and protect your hardware.

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Serving Nova Scotia and New Brunswick

Supreme Lock Solutions provides commercial rekeying and locksmith services across:

Nova Scotia: Halifax, Dartmouth, Bedford, Sackville, Truro, New Glasgow, Kentville, Bridgewater and surrounding areas
New Brunswick: Saint John and surrounding areas, plus additional service coverage across the province

Need Rekeying for a Business or Managed Property?

If you need rekeying for a commercial building, a multi-tenant property, or a turnover situation, Supreme Lock Solutions Ltd. can help you restore control quickly and professionally.

Visit: www.supremelocksolutions.com

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FAQ: Commercial Rekeying

Should I rekey if keys were returned?

Often yes. Returned keys don’t guarantee no copies exist.

Is rekeying cheaper than replacing locks?

In many cases yes, especially when hardware is still in good condition.

Can rekeying work with master key systems?

Yes. Rekeying is often part of setting up or updating a master key system.

What if the lock feels stiff after rekeying?

That may be a door alignment issue. The door should be inspected for sag or misalignment.

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