When can a landlord change the locks? A state-by-state breakdown

The rules for changing the locks, state by state

Most states have no statute specifically on changing the locks. Two impose a rekeying duty at tenant turnover (Texas statewide, and Illinois in Cook County only).

Fourteen states and the District of Columbia require a lock change on request from a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, sexual assault or stalking. Everywhere else, the lease and your state’s general landlord-tenant law govern.

One thing to be careful about. Changing the locks to force a tenant out is a self-help eviction, and it is unlawful in most states. Texas is the notable exception (Property Code § 92.0081) permits a lock change for unpaid rent, but only where that right is written into the lease, you give advance written notice, and you post a contact staffed 24 hours a day where the tenant can collect the new key whether or not they pay the arrears.

The table below covers every state with a lock-specific provision. Your obligations as the landlord come first, what the tenant may do second, then the deadline and who pays.

Last checked: September 2026. Lock rules change, and a city ordinance can be stricter than the state rule. For the current wording, start with the statute linked in the table, then check your city. Our state-by-state landlord-tenant law guides cover the wider rules for each state. This table is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for competent legal and/or other advice from a licensed professional.

States with no lock-specific statute

This review found no statute addressing lock changes in Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia or Wyoming.

In these states three things follow. You may generally change the locks between tenancies, and it is good practice to do so. You may not change them to remove a sitting tenant. And whether your tenant may change the locks, and whether they must give you a key, is a matter for the lease, so put it in writing, because without a clause you have no answer.

Installing a safe and secure landlord lock is part of a landlord’s responsibility to provide a safe and habitable home for their tenants. This means that, as well as providing a comfortable residence that is well maintained, free of mold and pests, the security of the property also must be considered.

A key concern (excuse the pun) for rental property security is the locks. Must you change them between tenancies? When is a tenant allowed to change them without asking you first? And who pays? This article covers the legal side. If you are choosing hardware rather than checking the rules, see our guide to the best locks for a rental property.

Landlord locks and the landlord’s responsibility for tenant safety

When it comes to thinking about the security and safety of your tenants the landlord lock is probably one of the first things that come to mind. In order for your rental property to be deemed safe, all locks (front door, back door and building if your property is a multi-unit) must be secure and functioning and both you and the tenant must have the ability to open or close them.

In almost every state it is unlawful to lock a tenant out of the property, even during eviction proceedings and even where rent has gone unpaid for months. This is a “self-help” eviction. Texas is the narrow exception described above, and its conditions are strict.

Furthermore, if you do not change the locks when it is your responsibility to do so, you may end up facing legal action for failing to provide a safe rental.

When you might need to change the landlord lock

A properly functioning landlord lock will not only provide protection and peace of mind for your tenants, but will also reduce the likelihood of break-ins and subsequent damage. It’s in your best interest (and your tenants’) to change the locks when needed.

There are a few different circumstances in which you may need to change the locks on your property. These are:

• Between tenancies
• If the lock is broken or is no longer functioning properly
• If the tenant has changed the lock without your permission and not given you a key
• If the keys have gone missing or are in the wrong hands
• If there has been a security breach
• If your tenant is a victim of domestic violence or stalking (whether or not the perpetrator lives in the same building)

When should a tenant change the locks?

Who pays depends on the state and the reason. Where a state requires a lock change for a tenant who is a victim of domestic violence, the tenant usually bears the cost, and the table above gives the position for each state. California is the main exception, and in Texas the seven-day rekey at turnover is at the landlord’s expense. Outside those rules, a change you choose to make is yours to pay for, and one your tenant makes without permission, or because they lost the keys, is theirs.

While the tenant may be living in the rental property full-time, the landlord needs to retain a means of entering it, should they need to carry out an inspection when the tenant is not home, or in the case of an emergency. This does not mean that the landlord can enter the property without proper notice.

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Disclaimer

We hope you found this blog interesting! However, do note that the information in this article does not constitute advice. This blog is for general informational and educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for competent legal and/or other advice from a licensed professional.

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