Apartment Lock Rekeying
Moving into a new apartment in New York City — whether it's a pre-war walk-up near Riverside Drive, a doorman building in the Upper West Side, or a converted loft in Washington Heights — comes with one task most tenants overlook: changing who has access to their front door. Lock rekeying is the fastest, most cost-effective way to do exactly that. Rather than replacing the entire hardware, a trained technician reconfigures the internal pin tumblers of your existing lock so that old keys no longer work. It's a simple but powerful security reset that every new tenant, subletter, or co-signer should request the moment they take possession of a unit.
Open 24 hours, 7 days a week · Licensed, bonded & insured
Riverside Drive Locksmith NYC Corp is a fully insured, 24/7 mobile locksmith serving apartments across the five boroughs. We come to you — no need to remove hardware and carry it to a shop. Our skilled technicians handle everything on-site, from standard door knob locks to high-security mortise locks common in New York's older building stock. Whether you've just signed your first lease, parted ways with a roommate, or ended a relationship with someone who had a copy of your key, apartment lock rekeying is one of the most direct steps you can take to protect your space.
What we do
Available 24/7
Day, night, weekends and holidays — a real local locksmith answers and rolls a fully-stocked van.
Fast local response
Based in New York, we reach the New York area in well under an hour.
Insured & background-checked
Vetted technicians, up-front pricing, and no surprise add-ons when we arrive.
Damage-free entry
We pick and bypass locks the right way, so most lockouts are solved without drilling anything.
Frequently asked questions
How is lock rekeying different from a full apartment lock change?
Rekeying reconfigures the internal pin tumblers of your existing lock cylinder so that the old key no longer operates it, and a new key is cut to match. The hardware — the deadbolt body, strike plate, door knob lock, or mortise lock casing — stays exactly where it is. A full lock change means removing and replacing the entire mechanism with new hardware. Rekeying is the right choice when your existing locks are in good condition; a full replacement makes more sense when the hardware is damaged, outdated, or you want to upgrade to a higher-security model. Our technician will inspect your current setup and give you an honest recommendation before any work begins.
Can you rekey mortise locks found in older New York City apartment buildings?
Yes, absolutely. Mortise locks are extremely common in New York's pre-war housing stock, and our technicians are experienced in working with them correctly. The cylinder inside a mortise lock can typically be rekeyed without replacing the entire unit, which preserves the existing hardware and avoids disruption to your door frame or finish. If the cylinder is worn, cracked, or incompatible with a standard rekey, we'll let you know and discuss replacement options. We handle mortise lock service across Manhattan, Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens, and Staten Island.
Do I need to provide proof that I live there before you rekey my apartment?
Yes, and this is a policy we take seriously. Before any technician begins work on a residential lock, we ask for a form of verification — a signed lease, a piece of mail addressed to you at the unit, or another reasonable proof of residency. This step protects you as much as it protects building management and any other residents in your building. A reputable locksmith will always perform this check; if any technician skips it entirely, that's a red flag worth noting. Our process is straightforward and only takes a moment.
How much does an emergency locksmith cost for an after-hours apartment rekey in NYC?
The cost of any locksmith service — including emergency locksmith callouts — depends on a few key factors: the type of locks being serviced (a standard deadbolt versus a mortise lock cylinder, for example), the number of cylinders involved, the time of day or night the work takes place, and travel distance to your location. We never quote a placeholder price and then revise it at the door. Whatever price we confirm with you before dispatching — or before beginning work on-site — is the price you pay. Call 646-793-9803 to get a straightforward, no-surprise quote for your specific situation.
Where can I find a reliable auto locksmith in New York if I'm also locked out of my car?
Riverside Drive Locksmith NYC Corp handles automotive lockouts and car key services across New York City in addition to our residential and commercial work. If you're locked out of your vehicle — whether it's parked on Riverside Drive, in a lot in Midtown, or on a side street in Flushing — our mobile team can come to you. We handle key cutting, transponder key programming, and car lockout response for most makes and models. You don't need a separate provider for your apartment rekey and your vehicle lockout; one call to 646-793-9803 connects you to a team that handles both.
How long does apartment lock rekeying typically take, and will it damage my door?
For a standard deadbolt or door knob lock, rekeying typically takes under thirty minutes per cylinder. Mortise lock cylinders or buildings with multiple entry points may take somewhat longer. Our technicians work carefully and methodically to ensure there is no damage to your door, frame, or finish — in most cases, the only sign that work was done is the new key in your hand. We bring all necessary tools and parts on our mobile service vehicle, so there's no need for a follow-up visit in the vast majority of cases.