Owners and managers of apartment buildings often use master keys so they can gain access to any unit with one key, rather than needing to have dozens or even hundreds of keys. This makes it easier for maintenance staff to do their jobs and for staff to respond if tenants lock themselves out, but it can also create problems.
When a tenant moves out, the locks often need to be changed or rekeyed. If a master key is lost or stolen, all of the locks in the building need to be changed or rekeyed to prevent someone from getting into apartments and stealing tenants’ property. The costs associated with changing or rekeying several locks can be expensive.
If an employee is fired from a job and has a key, the owner may be concerned about the person breaking in when no one is around and stealing property or committing vandalism. It may be necessary to change or rekey the locks to prevent that from happening. If the business has several locks that are opened with the same key, that can be pricey.
How Interchangeable Core Locks Can Keep Your Apartments or Business Secure
This is why many apartment buildings, condominiums, and businesses have interchangeable core (IC) locks. With an IC lock, the lock can be rekeyed quickly and easily by using a control key to remove the old core and install a new one. This can be done in a matter of seconds by regular maintenance staff, which eliminates the expense of calling a locksmith.
In a place like an apartment building, the staff can have IC locks installed on all of the units so they can be opened with one master key. They can have a set of backup IC locks that are opened with a different master key. If the master key for the locks that are currently being used is lost or stolen, the maintenance staff can simply change all of the cores on the apartments so they are opened with a new master key. The master key that was lost or stolen will be useless.
IC locks are also difficult to pick. It often takes destructive methods to break into an apartment or business with an IC lock. In trying to break in, a burglar can damage the pins, which will make it hard to gain access.
All American Locksmiths Can Install IC Locks in Your CT Apartments or Business
Interchangeable core locks are secure and convenient for places that use a master key to open multiple locks. If a tenant moves out, an employee is fired, or a master key is lost or stolen, the cores can be changed quickly. This can save time and money since a locksmith will not need to be called.
All American Locksmiths can install interchangeable core locks in your apartment building or business. This can improve security and reduce your long-term costs. We serve apartment buildings and businesses in Wilton, Trumbull, Stratford, and other towns across Connecticut. Contact us today to learn more about IC locks or to schedule an installation.
Most houses have multiple doors in the front, back, and leading from the garage or porch to the living area. All of those doors have locks for security. Some homeowners choose to have all of their locks keyed alike so they can be opened with a single key. There are pros and cons to taking that approach.
If you are the owner or manager of an apartment building, you probably encounter problems with locks and keys frequently. Tenants can forget their keys and need to be let into their apartments. If a key is lost, the lock needs to be changed to prevent someone who finds it from entering the apartment. When a tenant moves out, the lock needs to be changed to prevent him or her from gaining access to the apartment after a new tenant moves in.
