Rental property owner (11 units) - Keying recommendation

[TheHammer]

I have 11 rental units and have been converting to Kwickset Smartkeys with little trouble so my wife can rekey when I am not around. I have read a lot about these locks failing and am wondering if I am going the right direction. Since we have the occasional need for my wife to rekey in a hurry what other options do I have?

I was thinking Primus had replaceable core locks, but I am not 100% certain if they are even available anymore.

Master keyed locks would rock, but again, repinning, replacing or otherwise changing the key must be fast and easy. Thoughts?

[mtcrowe]

The biggest problem with SmartKeys is they can't be masterkeyed. And it's not uncommon for the sidebar to stick and cause the lock to fail.

IC cores are quick to rekey, but putting grade 2 on rental properties is a major overkill. This is especially a problem if the tenants replace your lock with theres and you're out a $150+ Lock.

Two common options in your situation:

1) Use grade 3 cylindical locks like those offered by LSDA or US Lock. Get a couple extra locksets and you can just change out the outer knob without taking the entire lock off the door. You can also accomplish this using EZset, but that's an underkill.

2) Use the Simplex Deadbolt with a passage knob. You can change the combination of the lock in a couple of minutes, and you won't have to worry about keys that tenants can loose.

[TheHammer]

I hadnt thought of the combination deadbolts. That's a good idea. I'm already switching to deadbolts and non locking handsets so tenants stop locking themselves out. Thanks for the reply!

[Evan]

I have 11 rental units and have been converting to Kwickset Smartkeys with little trouble so my wife can rekey when I am not around. I have read a lot about these locks failing and am wondering if I am going the right direction. Since we have the occasional need for my wife to rekey in a hurry what other options do I have?

I was thinking Primus had replaceable core locks, but I am not 100% certain if they are even available anymore.

Master keyed locks would rock, but again, repinning, replacing or otherwise changing the key must be fast and easy. Thoughts?

Primus products are still available... To which specific keyway or security level where you referring ?

Your situation definitely sounds like you should be using some form of IC locksets... Whether Schlage Primus or BEST or some other brand... With only 11 units I wouldn't even bother with a master key system unless all 11 units are located on the same property/in the same building... Just keep a copy of each change key in use on a keyring... 11 isn't that many...

As far as being able to "rekey in a hurry" that is a function of paying for and keeping in stock spare sets of replacement cores and associated operating keys for however many lock changes you would need to make before you can take the old ones to a locksmith and have them rekeyed to become the next set of replacement cores...

~~ Evan