On moving day, everyone thinks about furniture and boxes, and almost nobody thinks about keys. But a new home comes with an unknown number of key copies floating around: previous tenants, their guests, agents, maintenance staff, cleaners. The previous occupant handing you two keys does not mean only two keys exist.
Rekeying solves this completely. A locksmith changes the inside of each lock so every old key stops working, then cuts you a fresh set. At Golden Finger Key Cutting in Al Satwa, rekeying starts from AED 60 per lock. Here is why it should be on every mover's checklist.
Who might have your keys
Think about everyone who had access before you: the previous tenant and anyone they gave keys to, the landlord's agent, building maintenance, cleaning companies, and contractors from past renovations. None of these people are necessarily a threat, but you have no way of knowing how many copies exist or where they are. Rekeying removes the question entirely.
How rekeying works
The locksmith removes each lock cylinder and replaces the internal pin combination, then cuts new keys to match. The lock hardware stays on the door; only the key combination changes. Each lock takes only minutes, so a whole apartment is usually done in a single visit. You can also have all locks keyed alike, so one key opens the front door, back door and any other entrance.
When to do it
Ideally on moving day or within the first week, before your belongings are fully settled and your routine is established. Many people schedule it alongside other move-in jobs like deep cleaning or curtain fitting. If your tenancy contract makes you responsible for the locks, keep the receipt; if the landlord arranged it, confirm in writing that it was done.
Rekeying vs replacing after a move
Rekeying is enough when the existing locks are in good working order. If a lock sticks, wobbles, or looks like the cheapest unit the developer could find, moving in is also the perfect moment to upgrade to a better deadbolt. A locksmith can assess each lock during the rekeying visit and give you an honest opinion rather than a sales pitch.
Visit us at Shop 267, D90 Street, Al Satwa; we are open daily 24/7. Call or WhatsApp +971 56 167 7909 with the number of locks, and we will quote the whole flat upfront. It is a small job with an outsized payoff in peace of mind.