Can You Change the Locks on a Dunwoody Apartment?
Dunwoody and the Perimeter corridor are full of renters — and full of lease clauses about doors. Here’s what you can actually do.
The short version
In Georgia, the lease governs. Most leases either prohibit changing locks without permission or require you to hand the landlord a copy of any new key. Changing locks unilaterally can put you in breach — but that doesn’t mean you’re stuck with whoever holds old copies.
What renters can usually do
- Request a rekey at turnover. Ask in writing whether the unit was rekeyed after the last tenant. Many Dunwoody-area management companies will rekey on request, sometimes for a fee that’s worth every penny.
- Add renter-friendly hardware. Portable door locks, keyed-alike interior latches, and adhesive door reinforcement need no drilling and leave no trace at move-out.
- Upgrade with permission. A written OK to install a keypad deadbolt (with the landlord keycoded in) is often easy to get — offer to restore the original at move-out.
- Rekey with landlord sign-off. Fastest path: written approval, a licensed-quality residential rekey, and a copy of the new key delivered per the lease.
When to escalate
If keys to your unit are floating around after a breakup, a roommate departure, or a maintenance dispute, put the rekey request in writing to management immediately. If they stall, a locksmith visit with their emailed approval takes minutes — call (347) 776-0145 and we’ll coordinate around whatever your lease requires.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord refuse to rekey after a previous tenant?
Georgia law doesn’t mandate rekeying between tenants, so leases and management policy control. Ask in writing — a documented request creates accountability, and most professional managers say yes.
Can I install a smart lock in a rental?
With written permission, usually yes — pick a model that retrofits the existing deadbolt hole, give management a code or key, and keep the original hardware to reinstall at move-out.
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