Bankstown Locksmith Service

Many of the homes we work on around Bankstown are rentals. Units near the station, flats in Greenacre, duplexes in Punchbowl and granny flats in Condell Park all change hands between tenants regularly. That means we are often asked the same question: who is allowed to change the locks?

This guide explains the general rules for landlords and tenants in New South Wales, the common exceptions, and how rekeying fits in. It is written in plain language from a locksmith's point of view. It is not legal advice, and tenancy law changes from time to time. Before you act, check the current rules with NSW Fair Trading or seek advice from a tenancy advice service.

The general rule: both sides need to agree

In NSW, residential tenancies are governed by the Residential Tenancies Act and its regulations. In general terms, neither the landlord nor the tenant should change, add or remove a lock or security device during a tenancy without the other's consent.

That rule exists to protect both sides:

Tenants need to know the landlord cannot simply change the locks and keep them out of their own home.
Landlords need access in the situations the law allows, such as agreed inspections and urgent repairs, and need to know their property is secure.

Consent is usually given in writing. A short email or message from the landlord or agent saying the tenant may rekey the front door, and asking for a copy of the new key, is far better than a verbal yes.

There are situations where a tenant or landlord may change locks without the usual consent. The main ones are:

Emergencies. If a lock is broken or has been forced, for example after a break-in, the property may need to be made secure straight away. In that case, the lock can generally be repaired or replaced, and the other party should be told and given a key promptly afterwards.

Domestic violence. NSW law contains specific protections for tenants experiencing domestic violence, including in some cases the ability to change locks without the landlord's consent. The details matter, so anyone in this situation should seek support and advice through NSW Fair Trading, a tenancy advice service or a domestic violence support service.

Court or tribunal orders. The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal can make orders about locks and access in some disputes.

Reasonable excuse. The law may allow changes where there is a reasonable excuse. What counts as reasonable depends on the facts, so check before relying on this.

Because these exceptions are specific, it is always worth checking the current position before acting on them.

The landlord's duty to keep the property secure

In NSW, landlords generally have an obligation to provide and maintain locks or other security devices so that the premises are reasonably secure. In practice, that usually means working locks on external doors, and in some situations locks on windows.

If a lock stops working during a tenancy, the tenant should report it to the landlord or agent in writing. A broken external door lock can affect the security of the home, so it should be treated promptly. Urgent repairs have their own rules about how quickly they must be dealt with and when a tenant may arrange repairs themselves.

If you are a landlord, it is worth checking your locks between tenancies. A stiff lock that is ignored often becomes a lockout or an urgent repair later. Our lock repair page explains the common problems.

Rekeying between tenancies

From a practical point of view, rekeying between tenancies is one of the most useful things a landlord can do.

When a tenant leaves, they are supposed to return every key. In reality, keys get copied, lent to friends, left with partners or simply lost. A new tenant moving in has no way of knowing how many old keys are still out there.

Rekeying changes the inside of the existing locks so the old keys stop working. The hardware stays on the door, which keeps the cost down. It is usually much cheaper than replacing every lock at each change of tenant. Our lock rekeying page explains how it works, and our guide to lock rekeying costs explains what affects the price.

For landlords with several properties, rekeying also makes key control easier. You know exactly how many keys exist for each property and who holds them.

If you are a tenant who wants to rekey

If you are renting and want the locks rekeyed, for example because you have lost a key or are worried about who held keys before you, the usual steps are:

Ask the landlord or agent in writing for consent to rekey.
Explain why. A lost key, an unknown previous key holder or a security concern.
Agree who pays. If you are asking for the change for your own reasons, you may be expected to pay. If the locks are not secure, the landlord may be responsible.
Arrange the work once consent is given.
Give the landlord or agent a copy of the new key, unless an exception applies.

A good locksmith will ask who is authorising the work when it involves a rental. That is not to make life harder, but to make sure everyone's rights are protected.

If you are a landlord who wants to change locks

If you are a landlord wanting to change locks during a tenancy, for example after a security incident, the general steps are similar:

Talk to your tenant and explain the reason.
Get their consent, ideally in writing.
Arrange the work at a suitable time and give the tenant enough notice.
Give the tenant a key for every lock that was changed, straight away.

A landlord should never change the locks to exclude a tenant who is still entitled to live in the property. Ending a tenancy follows a separate legal process, and locking someone out is not part of it.

Keys at the end of a tenancy

When a tenancy ends, the tenant should return all keys, remotes and access cards. A condition report at the start of the tenancy usually lists the keys provided, which helps avoid disputes.

If keys are not returned, a landlord may be able to claim the reasonable cost of rekeying from the bond, depending on the circumstances. Keep records of the keys handed over and returned, and keep the locksmith's invoice.

Strata units

In unit blocks, there is another layer to consider. The unit's own entry door is usually the responsibility of the landlord, but common doors, such as the building entry, garage doors and gates, are usually common property managed by the owners corporation.

Neither a landlord nor a tenant can usually change a common property lock without the owners corporation's approval. Our article on strata building door rules in NSW explains this in more detail.

Security screen doors and window locks

Locks are not only on the front door. Rentals often have security screen doors, sliding door locks, window locks and garage doors. Each of these counts as a lock or security device, and the same consent principles generally apply.

When rekeying between tenancies, landlords should include screen doors and any other keyed locks, not only the main door. It is easy to forget them, and a missing screen door key is just as much of a problem as a missing front door key.

A practical checklist for landlords

Inspect all locks at the end of each tenancy.
Repair or replace any locks that are stiff or broken.
Rekey all keyed locks between tenancies.
Key them alike where possible, so the tenant has fewer keys.
Record how many keys are given to the new tenant.
Keep a copy of every locksmith invoice.
Check the current rules with NSW Fair Trading if unsure.

A practical checklist for tenants

Check that every lock works when you move in, and note any problems on the condition report.
Report broken locks to the landlord or agent in writing.
Ask for written consent before changing or rekeying locks.
Give the landlord a copy of any new key unless an exception applies.
Return all keys at the end of the tenancy.
Seek advice from NSW Fair Trading or a tenancy service if there is a dispute.

Keeping a paper trail

Most lock disputes in rentals come down to who agreed to what. A short written record avoids that. Keep the written consent, the locksmith's invoice, a note of how many keys were cut and a receipt or message confirming who received them. Landlords should file these with the condition report; tenants should keep copies with their lease. If questions come up at the end of the tenancy, the record answers them quickly.

How we handle rental jobs

When a job involves a rental property, we ask who is authorising the work and who will receive the new keys. If a tenant asks us to change locks, we ask whether they have the landlord's consent or whether an exception applies. We will not change locks to lock out a tenant who is entitled to be there, and we will not work on common property in a strata building without the right approval.

These limits protect landlords, tenants and us. They are part of doing the job properly.

The bottom line

In NSW, landlords and tenants generally need each other's consent before changing locks, with specific exceptions for emergencies, domestic violence and tribunal orders. Landlords must keep the property reasonably secure, and rekeying between tenancies is usually the most practical way to keep keys under control. Because the rules change, always check the current position with NSW Fair Trading.

If you are a landlord, agent or tenant in Bankstown or the surrounding suburbs and need locks rekeyed or repaired, call us on 02 5657 6414, 7 days from 7:00am to midnight, or request a quote through our contact page. Let us know who is authorising the work, and we will take care of the rest.