Why Traditional Rekeying Is Becoming a Major Problem for Multifamily Properties
For many apartment communities, rekeying has simply become part of the turnover process.
But between resident move-outs, lost keys, vendor access, and staff turnover, traditional keys create ongoing costs that quietly hurt your NOI.
Industry research shows that most multifamily properties still rely on physical keys, creating operational headaches for both property managers and maintenance teams.
Typical rekeying costs range from $85–$150 per unit, and in some markets, the cost is even higher.
Now multiply that across:
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The result?
Thousands of dollars in avoidable operational expenses every year.
The Bigger Issue: Traditional Keys Create Security Blind Spots
Physical keys don’t provide any visibility. That means property teams have:
- No audit trail
- No entry logs
- No real-time access tracking
- No instant credential removal
If an incident happens, there’s often no reliable way to verify who accessed a building or unit.
Electronic access control (EAC) solves this by giving property teams real-time control over access permissions, activity tracking, and credential management.
How Electronic Access Control Helps Property Managers
Modern access control systems do much more than replace keys.
They help properties:
- Reduces Rekeying Cost:
- Digital credentials can be added or removed instantly without replacing locks.
- Simplify Maintenance Operations:
- Technicians and vendors can receive temporary mobile credentials instead of physical keys.
- Improve Property Security:
- Access activity is logged with time-stamped reporting for better accountability.
- Support Self-Guided Tours:
- Properties can offer controlled apartment tours without requiring onsite staff.
- Create New Revenue Opportunities:
- Access control can help manage
- Premium parking
- Storage units
- Fitness centers
- Coworking spaces
- Package rooms
- Access control can help manage
Residents Expect Smart Access Technology
Today’s renters expect more convenience, flexibility, and security from the places they live. Features like mobile credentials, smart locks, and contactless entry are quickly becoming standard expectations in modern apartment communities — especially among younger renters and tech-savvy residents.
Convenience-driven technology not only improves the resident experience, but also helps properties stand out in competitive rental markets. Residents appreciate being able to unlock doors from their phones, grant temporary guest access, and avoid the hassle of carrying physical keys or dealing with lockouts.
Properties still relying on outdated key systems may struggle to compete with communities offering modern smart access experiences. In many cases, residents now view smart access technology as part of a professionally managed, secure, and modern living environment.
Ready to Reduce Rekeying Costs?
If your property is still relying on traditional keys, now is the time to explore smarter access control solutions.
A modern system can help your team:
- Eliminate costly rekeys
- Improve maintenance workflows
- Strengthen building security
- Simplify vendor access
- Modernize the resident experience