How often should I change my house locks?

The Honest Answer: Events, Not Anniversaries

There's no magic number of years after which every lock automatically needs changing. What actually matters is what's happened to your keys and who has had access to your home. A lock that's physically sound and whose key history you fully control doesn't need replacing just because it's been five years.

That said, most Fort Collins homeowners accumulate enough key-control problems over 7–10 years that a rekey or replacement becomes worthwhile on general principle. Think of it as a reset — not a ritual.

Specific Situations That Mean Change It Now

These are the clear triggers. If any of these apply, don't wait.

• You just moved in. Previous owners, contractors, real estate agents, and cleaning crews may all have copies. Rekey immediately.
• You lost a key and can't account for it. A lost key near a home with a visible address tag is a real risk.
• A relationship ended. Divorce, breakup, or a roommate who left on bad terms — change the locks the same day.
• A break-in occurred or was attempted. The lock may be damaged even if it still turns. Have it inspected.
• You fired a contractor, housekeeper, or dog walker who had a key. Don't rely on a request to return it.
• Keys were in a stolen wallet or bag. If there's any ID linking the key to your address, rekey that day.

Rekey vs. Replace — Which One Do You Actually Need?

Rekeying changes the internal pin configuration so old keys no longer work. The lock hardware stays in place. Replacement swaps out the entire lock. Most situations only need a rekey.

• Rekey when: the lock is in good mechanical condition, you just need new keys, or you're switching between tenants.
• Replace when: the lock is visibly damaged, worn, a low-grade unit (ANSI Grade 3), or you're upgrading security.

Rekeying in Fort Collins runs $75–$120 per lock. Most homes have 2–3 entry locks, so budget $150–$360 for a full rekey. Deadbolt replacement with Grade 1 hardware (Schlage B60N, Kwikset 980) runs $120–$200 installed. If you're already paying for a locksmith visit, it's worth asking whether the existing hardware is worth keeping.

What Colorado's Climate Does to Your Locks Over Time

Colorado's freeze-thaw cycles do real damage to door hardware. Moisture works into keyways during snowstorms, then freezes overnight. Repeated freeze-thaw cycles corrode the internal pins and springs faster than you'd expect — especially on exterior locks without weather guards.

The Front Range's dry air also dries out door frames faster than coastal climates. Wood frames shrink and expand more dramatically here, which puts mechanical stress on the lock bolt and strike plate alignment year after year. A lock that worked fine in October can bind badly by February — what locksmiths in Fort Collins sometimes call a "cold-bind."

If you're lubricating a sticky lock, use dry graphite lubricant — not WD-40. WD-40 displaces moisture short-term but attracts dirt and gums up the cylinder over time.

How Often Should Landlords Change Locks in Fort Collins?

The short answer: between every tenant, without exception. Colorado law does not automatically require landlords to rekey between tenants, but failure to do so can create liability if a former tenant uses a retained key to enter. The DHS home security guidelines recommend treating every new occupancy as a fresh key-control situation.

For CSU-area properties, this is especially important. Move-in and move-out surges hit hard in August–September and May. Demand for rekeying spikes during those windows, so schedule early — walk-in availability is limited during peak season.

Harmony Corridor and Newer Builds: A Different Situation

Homes in Harmony Corridor and Timnath built in the 2010s and later often come pre-drilled for smart locks and have sturdier door frames. If your home has a Schlage Encode, Yale Assure, or August Smart Lock already installed, rekeying works differently — you're resetting access codes, not repinning cylinders.

Smart lock access should be audited whenever a code-holder leaves. Most smart locks let you delete individual codes without changing anything for current users. That's a genuine advantage over traditional keys — you don't need a locksmith visit every time someone moves out. For installation of a new smart lock, budget $150–$250 in labor plus the cost of the lock ($100–$350 depending on brand and features).