Locksmith and Key Control
Locksmith and key control covers rekeying, lock changes, master key systems, lock hardware and lockout service, plus help organizing who holds which keys. For student housing that includes front-door and bedroom locks, and often coordination with fob and access control systems.
Guide updated Oct 29, 2026. Written for operators, with input welcome from people who do this work.
Why this matters
Keys, fobs and access cards change hands every year in student housing, and roommates in shared units often need separate bedroom and front-door access. Weak key control means lost keys that never get rekeyed, former residents with working access and real safety risk for current residents.
When you need it
- During the turn, when units and bedrooms need to be rekeyed before new residents arrive.
- When a resident loses a key or a former resident has not returned one.
- When residents are locked out at night or on weekends and staff are not on site.
- When your master key system is outdated or nobody is sure who holds which keys.
Common challenges in student housing
- Lost and unreturned keys build up over the year if rekeying is skipped to save time.
- Separate bedroom and unit locks multiply the number of keys and cores to manage.
- Master key records get messy as staff change and keys are copied or misplaced.
- Lockout calls cluster late at night and on weekends.
- Mixed hardware across buildings makes it hard to stock the right cores and parts.
What to look for
- Capacity for turn season: whether they can rekey or re-core a large batch of units between move-out and move-in.
- Experience with your lock and access types, including keyed bedroom locks, master key systems, fobs and access control software.
- Help setting up a key control system with key codes, a master key plan and clear records of who holds what.
- Response times you can hold them to, in writing, for lockouts and broken locks, including nights and weekends.
- Written pricing for rekeys, lock changes, extra keys and lockout calls so you can set resident charges.
- How they secure key codes, blanks and records so your system is not exposed.
- Current licensing where your state requires it and a certificate of insurance that names your property, checked before the first visit.
How pricing usually works
- Rekeying is usually priced per lock or per cylinder, sometimes with a trip charge per visit.
- Lockout calls are often a flat fee, with higher rates after hours.
- New hardware, cores, cut keys and master key system design are typically billed separately.
- Turn programs may be bid per unit or as a project covering many locks at once.
How prices are usually structured, not what they cost. Actual prices vary by market, property and scope, so compare written proposals.
Questions to ask a supplier
- How many locks can you rekey or re-core during our turn window?
- Do you work with our lock hardware, including bedroom locks and interchangeable cores?
- Can you help us set up or clean up our master key plan and key records?
- What response time will you commit to for lockouts at night and on weekends?
- How do you price rekeys, lock changes, extra keys and lockout calls?
- How do you keep our key codes and records secure?
Locksmith and Key Control suppliers 26
Pick your state in the filter to see locksmiths that serve your market, plus nationwide providers. Use the search box for specific needs, such as rekeying or access control.
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Action Locksmith
Serves CA
Rekeys apartment units for property managers, including master-key systems, mailbox locks, gate hardware and tenant lockout service.
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B&B Locksmith
Serves CA
Rekeys rental units and maintains master-key systems for managed residential communities, including restricted keys and door hardware repair.
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Black Cedar Facility Management
Serves nationwide
Coordinates janitorial services for multifamily housing through a nationwide facility maintenance vendor network.
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Colorado Dependable Locksmith
Serves CO
https://coloradodependablelocksmith.com/locksmith-for-landlords-denver/
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DNA Locksmith
Serves FL
Provides rental-property rekeying and master-key systems for property managers, including keys for incoming tenants.
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Goodfellow Locksmith
Serves CO
Rekeys and repairs locks for apartment and multifamily communities, including master-key planning and common-area door hardware.
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KEYper Systems
Serves nationwide
Business-to-business electronic and mechanical key-control systems, including secure cabinets and audit trails for property management and multifamily facilities.
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KeyTrak
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Electronic key and fob management, package tracking and work-order systems for multifamily and off-campus student housing communities.
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LockNet
Serves nationwide
Repairs commercial locks and doors for multi-site property operators, including managed key systems and door hardware service.
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Locksmith & Security
Serves NY
Rekeys apartment units and designs master-key systems for multifamily property managers, including mailbox locks and tenant lockouts.
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Low Rate Locksmith
Serves nationwide
https://www.lowratelocksmith.com/locksmith-services/commercial/property-management/
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M.L. Locksmith
Serves CO
https://www.mllocksmith.com/commercial-property-locksmith-services/property-management-locksmith-denver-co
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Morse Watchmans
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Electronic key control cabinets and KeyWatcher key management software for multifamily property management, campuses and residential buildings.
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MyKey Locksmith
Serves TX
Rekeys apartment units and services master-key systems for multifamily property managers, including mailbox locks and emergency lockouts.
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Pop-A-Lock
Serves nationwide
Provides commercial locksmith services through local franchises, including rekeying, master key systems, door hardware and lockouts.
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Proxess
Serves nationwide · Mentions student housing
Electronic commercial access-control locks, mobile credentials, audits and remote programming.
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Quick Key
Serves CA
Rekeys apartment units and maintains mechanical locks for multifamily communities, including master keys, restricted keyways and door closers.
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RezApp
Serves nationwide
Electronic key control cabinets for multifamily communities with individual key tracking, installation, training and warranty.
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RG Local Locksmith Services
Serves FL
Rekeys and replaces locks for apartment communities and condominium associations, including master-key systems and commercial door hardware.
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