Preventing your keys from being copied without authorization is not about living distrustful of everyone. It's about something much simpler: have control over who can enter your home, location the tourist apartment.
A traditional key can be easily duplicated if someone has access to it for a few minutes. It can happen after a reform, a rental, a loss of keys, a change of tenant, a cleaning, a move or a stay in a tourist apartment. The problem is that, If anyone has a copy, could enter without forcing the door and without leaving obvious signs.
In the locksmith, as a locksmith in Tarragona, we help owners regain control of their keys with cylinder changes, security locks, bowlers with property card and systems designed to limit unauthorized copies in Tarragona, Hello, Cambrils, Reus and province.
Why you should control your key copies
The risk is not always in losing the keys. Many times it is not knowing how many copies exist.
This happens a lot in:
- rental housing
- inherited flats
- tourist apartments
- second homes
- commercial premises
- newly purchased homes
- reforms with worker access
- keys loaned to relatives, neighbors or cleaning staff.
The important question is not just “do I have my keys?”?”, sino: do I know who can have a copy?
If the answer is no, It is advisable to consider changing the cylinder or installing a protected key system.
What are protected or patented keys?
Protected keys, Also called patented or security keys, They are associated with cylinders designed to make free copying difficult.
The main difference compared to a traditional key is that not everyone can duplicate it anywhere.. Normally, To make a copy you need a property card or documentation proving that you are authorized.
This gives you more control because it prevents someone with temporary access to the key from easily copying it without permission..
A security cylinder with protected key can also incorporate antibumping systems, anti-drill, anti-pick or anti-extraction, which improves both copy control and the physical resistance of the lock.
Property card: the key to authorize copies
The property card works as an authorization. Without that card, It should not be possible to request a copy of the key at an authorized point.
That is why it is important to store it well and not leave it with the keys..
In practice, This system is very useful for:
- rental property owners
- tourist apartments in Salou or Costa Daurada;
- communities
- workshops
- locales
- second homes
- homes where many people have spent time with access.
If you want to improve security without changing the entire door, Installing a cylinder with a property card is usually a very effective solution.
When should you change the cylinder
Changing the cylinder is one of the fastest ways to regain access control to a home. It is not always necessary to change the entire lock; many times it is enough to replace the cylinder with a safer one.
It is advisable to do so if:
- you have lost the keys
- your bag has been stolen, backpack or documentation
- you have finished a rental
- you have bought a home
- you have left keys to workers during a renovation;
- You don't know who has copies
- you have a tourist apartment
- you have detected tampering marks
- you want to install card protected keys.
If you have doubts, You can consult this guide on when should a lock be changed.
You can also review what to do if you have lost the house keys in the street, because in those cases changing the cylinder may be recommended for safety.
Practical table: situation, risk and solution
| Situation | Risk | Recommended solution |
|---|---|---|
| You have lost the keys | Someone could find them and use them | Change cylinder |
| End of rental | There may be unreturned copies | Replace cylinder |
| Home renovation | Several people have had access | Install cylinder with card |
| Tourist apartment | High user turnover | Copy control and protected cylinder |
| Newly purchased home | You don't know how many copies there are | Change lock or cylinder |
| Borrowed keys | Copy without permission | Use proprietary keys |
| Second residence | spend time empty | Reinforce lock and access |
Tourist apartments and rental homes in Salou
In areas like Hello, Cambrils or La Pineda, key control is especially important. Many tourist apartments pass through several hands: guests, cleaning staff, maintenance, former managers or temporary tenants.
In these cases, a traditional bowler hat may fall short. If you don't know how many copies are circulating, housing is not really under control.
For tourist apartments and second homes, I recommend:
- change the cylinder when changing managers or tenants
- use card protected keys
- do not leave copies unregistered
- check locks before high season
- evaluate electronic locks or access control
- reinforce the door if the house spends time empty.
If the home is also closed for weeks, You can read this guide on how to protect your home on vacation.
Are electronic locks useful??
Electronic locks can be a good alternative in some cases, especially in tourist apartments, offices or accesses with a lot of turnover. They allow you to reduce the use of physical keys and better control who enters and when.
Even so, They are not always the best option for all homes. You have to consider the type of door, actual use, the necessary level of security and maintenance.
In many homes, a good security cap with a property card is still a simple solution, effective and very practical.
Also reinforce the door, not just the key
Controlling copies is important, but it's not the only thing. If the door is old, the cylinder protrudes too much or the protective shield is weak, the lock may still be vulnerable.
That is why it is advisable to review:
- bowler hat
- protective shield
- lock
- marco
- hinges
- door type
- closing points.
If the door is very out of date, It may be worth considering a armored or armored door. And if the house spends a long time empty, You can also study measures of locksmith antikupas.
Change the cylinder and regain control of your keys
You can't prevent someone from making a copy in the past, but you can prevent that copy from continuing to serve.
In it Lock we install security cylinders, key protected locks and property card systems in Tarragona, Hello, Cambrils, Reus and province.
We advise you according to your case: habitual residence, rent, local, tourist apartment or second residence. Always with a prior budget, without surprise costs and with solutions adapted to your door.
Call them to 677 50 30 88 and regain control of your keys.
Frequently asked questions
Can it be avoided 100 % have them copy a key?
The safest thing is to use cylinders with protected keys and ownership card. This greatly limits unauthorized copying..
What do I do if I suspect someone has copied my keys??
The most advisable thing is to change the cylinder. Asking for the key to be returned does not guarantee that a copy does not exist.
Do I have to change the entire lock?
Not always. Many times it is enough to change the cylinder for a safety one.
What is a property card?
It is a card associated with the cylinder that authorizes new copies of the key. without her, should not be able to be duplicated at authorized points.
Is it recommended for tourist apartments?
Yeah. In tourist apartments there is a lot of turnover of people, so controlling copies is key to security.