Retail Lock Changes

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Some of the threats mitigated by commercial lock changes are obvious – and some, perhaps less so. Let’s run through some of the potential risks inherent with leaving the locks unchanged on an empty retail property:

• Pre-existing locking devices may not be of a sufficiently high security-grade – which means an increased risk of illegal entry, squatters and vandalism, and the potential to invalidate insurance.
• Old locking mechanisms may also not be of sufficiently high standard to meet with commercial property insurance requirements.
• Previous tenants may return to a property. Particularly in an eviction scenario, this threat can be severe and may present an opportunity for malicious damage.
• Past employees, contractors and tenants tend to have several sets of keys that go unchecked, so having live entry fobs or passcodes in circulation creates a high threat level without guaranteeing who holds a key.

When managing the end of a commercial tenancy, of course, the occupier should return the same keys they received on moving in. However, the only sure-fire way to protect the unit’s security is to opt for a lock change. Tenants may also repair or replace locks when occupying a premises.

If any locks, including those to roller shutter doors, internal entrances, or secure rooms have been changed without a new set of keys provided to the landlord, it can be costly and time-consuming to call a locksmith to allow a prospective new tenant easy access.

Locked doors, where the commercial landlord does not have keys, also pose a risk of fire, flooding and gas leaks, all of which become exponentially more serious the longer it takes to gain access. Clearway, therefore, recommends all retail property managers and owners assess the condition of their locks and schedule a lock change as standard on any vacant site.