Rekeying between tenants is not automatically required by Queensland law, but it can be one of the simplest ways to restore known key control before a new tenancy begins.
What Queensland law actually requires
The lessor must supply and maintain locks necessary to ensure the premises are reasonably secure, and the property must meet Queensland minimum housing standards. Those rules do not say that every lock must automatically be rekeyed whenever a tenant moves out.
Why consider rekeying anyway?
At the end of a tenancy, the RTA requires all keys, including copies made by the tenant, to be returned. In practice, however, it may be impossible to prove that no extra copies exist. A previous tenant may have supplied keys to family members, cleaners, tradespeople or other people during the tenancy.
Rekeying suitable locks changes the internal key combination so the old keys no longer operate them. In many cases the existing lock hardware can remain in place.
When rekeying becomes particularly important
- A key is missing or was not returned.
- There is uncertainty about how many copies were made.
- The former tenant reports a lost or stolen key.
- There has been a break-in or attempted break-in affecting the locks.
- The property has changed occupants repeatedly and key records are incomplete.
- The owner or property manager wants to re-establish a clean, documented key register for the new tenancy.
Key entitlement versus key control
The law tells an owner what keys must be supplied to tenants. That is key entitlement. A locksmith looks at a different question as well: who else might still possess a working key? That is key control.
A property can satisfy the key-handover requirements while still having poor key control if previous copies remain unaccounted for.
Abetta recommendation
Where the history of the keys cannot be confidently established, Abetta recommends considering rekeying compatible external locks before the next tenancy. This is a security recommendation, not a statement that Queensland law mandates rekeying after every tenant.
Queensland government sources
- RTA – Locks and security
- RTA – Rent, keys and other
- RTA – Break-ins and property crime
- Queensland Legislation – Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008
General information only, not legal advice.
Need the locks rekeyed before a new tenant moves in?
Abetta Mobile Locksmith can rekey compatible residential locks, provide new keys and help property managers establish a cleaner key record for Sunshine Coast rental properties. Contact Abetta.