Moving into an Upper West Side apartment -- what should you do about the locks first?

The answer is simple: rekey or replace every lock on your door before you sleep there the first night. You have no idea how many copies of the old key are floating around. A previous tenant, a roommate who moved out, a landlord's contractor, a super from two buildings ago, an ex after a breakup -- any of them could still have a working key. Changing the lock or rekeying the cylinder closes that gap immediately.

Which locks should you actually change when you move into a prewar walk-up?

Start at your front door. Most prewar walk-ups on the Upper West Side and along Amsterdam Avenue have two cylinders: a knob or lever lock and a deadbolt above it. The deadbolt is the one that matters. A knob lock alone will not keep anyone out.

Check the deadbolt for wear. If the key wobbles, sticks, or the bolt moves sluggishly, those are signs of worn pins inside the cylinder. A worn cylinder is a security problem even before you consider who else has a key. In that case, replace the whole unit rather than rekey it.

For a solid replacement, the Schlage B60N is the standard workhorse, and it sits at a very affordable price point for both hardware and installation by a locksmith. If you want higher security, step up to the Medeco Maxum or the Mul-T-Lock MT5+. Both have pick-resistant and drill-resistant cylinders, and the installed price in Manhattan is noticeably higher than a standard deadbolt, varying with the model and door prep needed.

If the hardware is newer and still solid, a turnover rekey is all you need. The locksmith pulls the cylinder, changes the pins to match a new key, and your old keys go dead. Rekeying a single cylinder in this area is among the more affordable lock services available.

Also check your gate lock if you have a garden-level unit or a private entrance gate. Gates on brownstones in Morningside Heights and Manhattan Valley often have padlocks that have not been changed in years. A Medeco M3 padlock or a Abloy PL362 is a real upgrade over the standard brass padlock that came with the building.

What are the specific situations that mean you absolutely cannot skip a lock change?

Some situations make a lock change non-negotiable, not just a good idea.

• A roommate moved out: Even on good terms, collect every spare key and rekey immediately. People forget they handed a key to a friend or a delivery person.
• After a breakup: Do not wait. Change the lock the same day if possible.
• After a contractor or renovation: Contractors often hold keys for the duration of a job and copies sometimes go unaccounted for. A rekey after a contractor finishes is standard practice.
• After a break-in: Replace the hardware entirely. A lock that was forced or picked may have damaged internals. The building may also need to assess the door frame and strike plate.
• New super or building management: A new super may inherit a master key that was poorly tracked. Ask building management for a master key reset or at minimum confirm which cylinders are on the master.
• Before a renovation: If workers will be in and out, switch to a Schlage or Kwikset with a construction keyway and rekey to your personal key when the job is done.
• Before vacation: Run a quick access audit before you leave. Gather every spare key, confirm who has one, and replace the cylinder if you cannot account for all copies.

Co-op buildings in Lincoln Square and along Broadway often do their own building rekey when a unit changes hands. Do not assume that rekey covers your door. Building rekeying usually addresses the front door and common areas, not individual apartment cylinders.

How do you keep your locks in good shape after you move in?

Lock maintenance gets ignored until something breaks. Do not let that be you.

Once a year, do a quick annual check. Try the key in both locks. The bolt should extend and retract smoothly. The key should not require force. If anything feels stiff, apply a graphite lubricant, not WD-40. WD-40 attracts grit and gums up pins over time. A product like Houdini Lock Lubricant or dry graphite spray works well.

Inspect the strike plate and screws. Most prewar doors in Upper West Side buildings have short screws holding the strike plate to the door frame. Short screws pull out easily under force. Replace them with 3-inch screws that reach the stud behind the frame. A locksmith can do this in 15 minutes.

Do a spare key roundup every year, especially after a new tenant moves into another unit in your building or when building staff changes. Write down who holds a spare: a neighbor, a family member, a dog walker. If that list has grown and you cannot account for everyone, a preventive replacement costs far less than dealing with an unauthorized entry.

If you are moving into a smart lock setup, the Schlage Encode Plus and the Yale Assure Lock 2 both work well in New York City apartments. They let you issue and revoke access codes without making physical keys, which solves the spare key problem entirely. The hardware and installation together represent a moderate investment, in line with other quality lock upgrades.

If you have questions about your specific door, building, or situation, call Amsterdam Locksmith at (917) 200-2978. We work throughout the Upper West Side, Amsterdam Avenue, Morningside Heights, and all of Manhattan, and we can usually get to you the same day.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to rekey an apartment door in Manhattan?

Rekeying a single deadbolt in Manhattan involves a service call plus labor, and adding a second lock on the same door brings the total up moderately. Replacing the lock entirely with a Schlage B60N or Medeco Maxum costs more than rekeying, with the final price depending on the cylinder grade and any door prep needed.

Should I rekey or replace my locks when moving into a co-op on the Upper West Side?

Rekey first if the lock hardware is in good shape and less than seven years old. Replace if the deadbolt shows deadbolt wear, the key turns stiffly, or the building has gone through a master key reset that left mismatched cylinders. A quick inspection by a locksmith will tell you which route makes sense.

Can my Upper West Side building force me to use a specific lock?

Many co-ops and condos have house rules requiring UL-listed deadbolts or specific keyways tied to the building master key system. Check your proprietary lease or condo declaration before buying any lock. A licensed locksmith familiar with Upper West Side buildings can tell you which locks are compatible with your building's master key setup.