In California, tenants generally cannot change their locks without landlord permission. Most leases require written approval before any lock modification, and if you do change locks, your lease likely requires you to give the landlord a copy of the new key. There are two meaningful exceptions worth knowing: the landlord’s own obligation to provide working deadbolts at move-in, and a specific statutory right for documented survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, or elder abuse to have locks changed on short notice.
Here’s how all of that plays out in practice.
The general rule and what your lease controls
California law does not give tenants a freestanding right to change locks whenever they want. The default rule, enforced by most leases in San Diego County, is that you need written landlord approval before touching the hardware.
Why? The landlord owns the property and has a legal right of entry with 24 hours’ notice under California Civil Code Section 1954. If you change the locks without providing a key, you’ve blocked that right. Courts take it seriously.
A few things to check in your lease:
- Permission clause. Most standard California residential leases say something like “Tenant shall not change, add, or rekey any lock without prior written consent of Landlord.” If yours says that, follow it.
- Key-sharing requirement. Many leases that do allow lock changes include a clause requiring you to deliver a copy of the new key to management within 24 to 72 hours. Skipping this step, even if you had permission to change the lock, can be a lease violation.
- Restoration requirement. Some leases require the original hardware to be restored at move-out, or they charge you for it. If you’re installing a different deadbolt brand, keep the original hardware in a bag in the closet.
If your lease is silent on lock changes, that doesn’t mean you’re free to do it unilaterally. The landlord’s right of access still applies. The safest path is always to ask first, get it in writing, and share the key.
What the landlord is required to provide
California Civil Code Section 1941.3 puts the obligation on landlords. At the start of any new tenancy, the landlord must provide deadbolt locks on the main entry door and operable window locks on windows that are reachable from the ground. The deadbolt requirement means a single-cylinder deadbolt, not just a spring latch.
If you move into a unit and the deadbolt is broken, missing, or clearly worn out, you can request repair or replacement in writing. The landlord is required to fix it within a reasonable time. Document the request and any response.
This matters for rekeying because it’s the landlord’s legal obligation, not yours, to make sure you have a functional deadbolt at move-in. If you moved in and the landlord quietly skipped the rekey from the prior tenant, that’s their problem to fix. Ask for it. If they refuse, you have something to stand on.
Requesting a rekey at move-in
One of the most common lock questions tenants have: “The last tenant clearly had keys. Can I ask my landlord to rekey before I move in?”
Yes, and you should. Ask in writing before or on move-in day. A professional lock rekey costs $25 to $40 per cylinder and takes 10 to 15 minutes. The landlord can either do it themselves, schedule a locksmith, or agree to reimburse you if you handle it. Get any reimbursement agreement in writing before you pay.
If the landlord refuses, pay for the rekey yourself and document it. Sleeping behind a door with unknown keys floating around San Diego isn’t a bet worth taking for $80 to $110. You can raise the reimbursement dispute later; you can’t un-give a stranger a working key to your unit.
Related: Rekey or replace your locks when you move in? A San Diego guide
The domestic violence exception
California Civil Code Sections 1941.5 and 1941.6 create a specific right for tenants who are documented survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or elder abuse.
Here’s how it works:
- The tenant must provide the landlord with written documentation. Acceptable documents include a police report, a court order (like a restraining order), or a written statement from a qualified third party such as a licensed healthcare provider, victim advocate, or domestic violence counselor.
- Once documentation is provided, the landlord is required to change the locks within 24 hours of the request, or the tenant may change the locks themselves.
- If the tenant changes the locks under this provision, they must give the landlord a copy of the new key within 24 hours.
- A landlord cannot retaliate against a tenant for exercising this right. This includes refusing to renew the lease, raising the rent, or initiating eviction based on the lock change itself.
This is a meaningful protection. If you or someone in your household is in this situation, you do not have to wait for the landlord to decide to act. The law sets a 24-hour deadline on their end, and it gives you the right to move forward if they don’t.
For legal guidance specific to your situation, contact the San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program (sdvlp.org) or California’s legal aid resources. This post gives you the general legal framework, not legal advice.
When a roommate moves out
Roommate departures are one of the most overlooked lock risks in rental housing. Even if the departing roommate hands back their key, you can’t know whether they made copies. Key duplication at hardware stores and kiosks is fast, cheap, and ID-free.
The practical answer is a rekey. It’s not accusatory. It’s not a big deal. A locksmith pins the cylinder to a new configuration, cuts fresh keys, and the old key stops working. Total cost for a standard apartment deadbolt: $25 to $40 plus a service call fee.
Whether you need landlord permission for this depends on your lease. Many leases allow rekeying with written notice and key-sharing; some require prior written approval. Check before you call. If your lease requires approval, email your landlord a quick note and get a “yes” reply before scheduling.
If you’re locked out during the process or dealing with a stuck lock, see Locked out of your apartment in San Diego? Here’s what to do.
What to do if the landlord won’t act
You’ve asked for a rekey at move-in in writing. Your landlord has ignored two requests. What now?
A few options, depending on your situation:
- Pay for it yourself and document it. If the landlord was legally required to provide the rekey (e.g., under their CC 1941.3 obligation to provide operable deadbolts), you may be able to deduct the cost from rent under California’s repair-and-deduct remedy. This applies to habitability defects up to one month’s rent and requires proper written notice. Consult a tenant rights attorney before using this remedy, the procedural requirements are specific.
- File a complaint with the local housing authority. San Diego Code Compliance at (619) 236-5500 handles habitability complaints.
- Contact a tenant rights organization. Community Legal Services in East Palo Alto (clsepa.org), California Rural Legal Assistance, and San Diego’s legal aid offices handle tenant-landlord disputes and can advise on your specific situation.
What not to do: change the locks without permission and without legal basis, then refuse to share the key. That path leads to lease violations, potential eviction proceedings, and a landlord lawsuit for lock damage. The DV exception exists for a reason, and it’s the right tool if you’re in that situation. For general disputes, the better paths are documentation, written requests, and tenant rights resources.
Cost and process reality
If you do have permission (or the legal basis) to rekey, here’s what to expect:
| Scenario | Typical path | Approximate cost |
|---|---|---|
| Landlord handles rekey at move-in | Landlord schedules their locksmith | $0 to you |
| Tenant pays for rekey, landlord agreed to reimburse | Call a locksmith, get a receipt, submit in writing | $80-$110 out-of-pocket, seek reimbursement |
| Tenant pays for rekey, no reimbursement agreement | Call a locksmith | $80-$110 all-in for a standard 2-door apartment |
| Single deadbolt rekey only | Call a locksmith, per-cylinder pricing | $25-$40 per cylinder plus service call |
| DV exception, tenant changes locks | Call a locksmith, provide landlord a key within 24 hours | $25-$40 per cylinder plus service call |
The service call fee ($29 at Swift Key) is typically waived on jobs of three or more cylinders. If your apartment has a deadbolt and a keyed doorknob on the front door plus a back-door deadbolt, three cylinders gets you to the threshold.
A rekey does not change the hardware. The same deadbolt stays in the door, the same finish, same brand, same function. Only the internal pin configuration changes, which means old keys stop working. A new set of keys is cut to match the new configuration. This is the right call in almost every rental situation, replacing the entire lock costs more and isn’t necessary unless the hardware is damaged or below grade.
For a deeper look at when rekey makes sense versus full replacement, see Rekey vs. replace your locks when you move in? And if you need to know what a lost key situation means for your security, Lost your house keys? Here’s what to do next in San Diego covers that scenario in detail.
Frequently asked questions
Can I change the locks on my apartment in California?
Generally, no, not without landlord permission. Most California leases require written approval before any lock change, and you’re typically required to give the landlord a copy of the new key. The exception is tenants who are documented survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking, or elder abuse under California Civil Code Sections 1941.5 and 1941.6. That provision gives you the right to have locks changed within 24 hours, with documentation.
Can my landlord refuse to rekey after a previous tenant?
Legally, your landlord is required to provide operable deadbolts under California Civil Code Section 1941.3. If those locks have been in use since the previous tenant without a rekey, a reasonable argument exists that they’re not fully “operable” for your security. In practice, most landlords will rekey when asked; you’re more likely to face inaction than outright refusal. Put the request in writing, give them a reasonable deadline (five business days is fair), and document everything.
Do I have to give my landlord a key if I change the locks?
Yes, in almost every case. Even if you had permission to change the locks, or if you changed them under the DV exception, California law and standard lease terms require you to give the landlord a copy of the new key within 24 hours (under the DV provision) or within whatever timeframe your lease specifies. Blocking landlord access entirely is a separate lease violation.
What does a rekey cost for a typical San Diego apartment?
A single deadbolt cylinder runs $25 to $40 for the rekey itself plus a service call fee of around $29, which is typically waived at three or more cylinders. Most single-door apartment setups (one deadbolt plus one keyed knob) run $80 to $100 all-in. If you have a second exterior door, add $25 to $40 per additional cylinder.
If I’m in a domestic violence situation, what do I do first?
Call 9-1-1 if you’re in immediate danger. For lock changes under California Civil Code 1941.5/1941.6, gather your documentation (police report, court order, or written statement from a qualified third party) and notify your landlord in writing. They have 24 hours to change the locks. If they don’t act, you can call a locksmith, change the locks yourself, and provide the landlord a key within 24 hours. For legal support, contact the San Diego Domestic Violence Hotline at (888) 385-4657 or San Diego Volunteer Lawyer Program at sdvlp.org.
Can my landlord evict me for changing the locks?
Not if you had permission or legal basis to do so. If you changed the locks without permission and refused to provide a key, a landlord can pursue a lease violation, which could lead to a notice to cure or quit. California’s anti-retaliation protections (Civil Code Section 1942.5) prohibit eviction for exercising legal rights, including the DV lock-change provision.
Questions about rekeying your rental unit in San Diego? Swift Key San Diego does mobile rekey service throughout the county. Same-day appointments most weekdays. Call (858) 925-5546 for a quote.