Lost or Stolen Keys — Rekey or Replace Your Locks?

Losing your keys creates an uncomfortable question: does someone now have access to your home, car, or office? The answer depends on whether the keys can be linked back to your property. But even when you are not sure, the practical question becomes: what do you do about it, and how much will it cost?

Why Lost or Stolen Keys Require Action

If a key is simply lost — dropped in a car park, fallen out of a pocket — and there is no way to link it to your address, the risk is relatively low. Most people who find a random key either keep it as a curiosity or throw it away.

The risk increases significantly if:

• The keyring has a tag with your address, name, or phone number
• The keys were on a work lanyard that identifies your employer and therefore potentially your home suburb
• The keys were stolen (not just lost) — the thief almost certainly knows where you live, either from a wallet, phone, or vehicle registration plate
• You know who has the key (a former tenant, an ex-partner, a former employee) and they are not trusted

What Rekeying Is and When It Is Enough

Rekeying changes the pin configuration inside the existing lock cylinder so the old key no longer works. A new key is cut to match. The lock hardware stays in place. The result is a lock that only opens with new keys — any previously existing copies are now useless.

Rekeying is appropriate when:

• The lock itself is in good physical condition (turns smoothly, latches properly)
• You want to invalidate all existing keys without changing the hardware
• You are moving into a new property and want to know only you have a working key
• A staff member, tenant, or houseguest no longer needs access

Rekeying is not a security downgrade from lock replacement — it is just a faster, cheaper version of the same outcome, provided the lock itself is sound.

When to Replace the Lock Entirely

Lock replacement is the right call when:

• The lock is worn, stiff, or damaged — rekeying a failing lock does not fix the underlying problem
• You want to upgrade to a higher-security lock (better grade deadbolt, Mul-T-Lock, Abloy)
• The lock is an older model with limited pin combinations that a sophisticated attacker could replicate
• The lock has been tampered with or shows signs of attempted picking or drilling

Cost Comparison

• Rekeying: R250–R400 per lock, plus R80–R150 per key cut
• Standard lock replacement: R400–R700 per lock including hardware
• High-security lock replacement: R800–R1,500+ per lock

For most situations involving lost keys where the lock is in good condition, rekeying is the right answer. It costs roughly half as much as replacement and achieves the same result: the old keys do not work.

Stolen Keys — Act Faster

If your keys were stolen rather than simply lost, treat it as higher urgency. If a wallet was also taken (or the keys were in a bag with your ID), the thief potentially knows your name and address. Do not wait. Call us on 066 147 4234 and we will come out to rekey or replace the same day.

Which Locks Need Attention

At minimum: front door, back door, garage side door if it has a key lock, and security gate. If the lost or stolen keys were for a vehicle, see our car key replacement page for vehicle-specific guidance.

How to Get It Sorted in Alberton

Call us on 066 147 4234. Tell us what keys were lost or stolen and we will advise which locks need attention and whether rekeying or replacement makes more sense. We can usually come out the same day for this kind of job.