Rekey vs. Replace: Securing Your Locks After Moving to Virginia Beach

Moving into a new home in Virginia Beach — whether it's a cottage near the Oceanfront, a townhouse off Princess Anne Road, or a rental in the Ghent-adjacent neighborhoods of the Chesapeake border — is exciting. But amid the moving boxes and change-of-address forms, one critical step often gets pushed to the back burner: securing your locks. The truth is, you have no way of knowing how many copies of your keys are floating around out there. Former tenants, contractors, real estate agents, neighbors — any of them could still have access to your front door.

This guide is built specifically for new Virginia Beach homeowners and renters who want a straight answer to one of the most practical security questions you'll face on move-in day: should you rekey your locks, or replace them entirely? We'll walk you through both options, explain when each one makes the most sense, and help you make a confident, informed decision — because your family's safety shouldn't be a guessing game.