I'm moving to a new apartment unit. I asked my landlord to give me a new set of keys since it would be dangerous for me to keep the old lock and the old keys.
The last tenants could enter whenever they want if they have a copy of the keys. Do they have to give me new lock and keys OR do I have to change the lock and the keys myself?
Is there a section in the Ontario Tenants law that I can refer to and show my landlord (so that they could give me new lock and keys)?
Thanks for your help.
2006-10-25 11:31:14 · 7 answers · asked by Anonymous in Home & Garden ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
I don't know the law there but I have seen it in action around here. Ask the landlord for the new lock because "you are concerned about security." Tell him that you are in a hurry to get the problem resolved and "is it OK if you get it changed yourself and deducted the cost from your next rent check" If he doesn't go along with either suggestion try calling any tenants rights group you see in the phone book and any neigborhood newspaper's crime reporter to get some attention by outsiders.
Don't just give up on this because it is important.
2006-10-25 11:40:41 · answer #1 · answered by Rich Z 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Where I live that is common practice... so (stupid me) I thought was a requirement of landlords..
I moved to this apartment @ 3 yearsa ago. Previous tenants ex-boyfriend strolls in while my live-in boyfriend were in the MIDDLE OF THINGS...
And was like... ummmm, ohhhhh. you're not Christy... well of course we were cursing & yelling.. and oh NO I AM NOT CHRISTY
I then asked the landlord to replace the lock, he refused. I called the city to discover that there was not a law or an ordinance to make him do so. It was then also explained to me that the reason most apartments changed locks was because of this huge lawsuit where some girl got raped & killed by a prior tenant.
So I went back to my landlord & said "look, what happens if you don't change the lock & this idiot comes back... or someone else with keys & they steal from me or do harm to me, etc... (and I referenced the Lawsuit the Officer had told me about)"
Landlord Reply: " My partner is the Judge... just try & see how far you get......
So I invested $50 to get the lock re-keyed. Now it is making him nuts because he doesn't have a key. He REFUSED TO PAY... so I DID... and he is now trying to say that I am violating law by not giving him a copy of the key.. but as it turns out.... there is no law that says I have to provide him a copy of the key.. I offered to get him a copy for the $50 I paid & he said he isn't paying anything & has written me many nasty letters (yes, for 3 years now) about how he wants a copy of this key... however, he has yet to have any need to come into my apartment... and I have made it clear that I will arrange to be here on my off days for any maintenance person who needs to be here.
So if your landlord won't change the lock when you first ask... then follow that up with something like "who gets sued if somone has access and rapes or kills me"... if that doesn't get it resolved, then DON'T REMOVE THE LOCK (that might violate your lease)... but get the existing lock RE-KEYED
They want a Key... your choice... say something like "Okay, a copy of this key cost $50 (or whatever the cost to you was to get it re-keyed)........ or you could just be nice & give them one
2006-10-25 13:34:07 · answer #2 · answered by Bama 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The locks should be rotated. This is only if theres more than one unit. I have no info on Onterio but it is the right thing to do as a Landlord to change the Locks. If they refuse and you do it yourself they will need copies. Big apartment complexs have them mastered so doing this may cause a problem with management.
2006-10-25 11:40:16 · answer #3 · answered by ascendent2 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I live in the U.S.. but that doesn't matter. Regardless of where
you live, I would think that is standard operating procedure.
Are you sure they haven't changed the locks already? As another
answer said, because of the master lock issue, I don't think you
could just change locks and give them a copy.
2006-10-25 12:36:58 · answer #4 · answered by wallyinsa 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If I would was moving into a new apartment, I would request for new lock and keys. Your going to be paying the rent so you should have everything to your satisfaction.
2006-10-25 11:35:24 · answer #5 · answered by T_Boy 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Change the lock yourself, and deduct the cost of the lock from your rent.
Also, attatch a COPY of the sales reciept to your rent check.
Locks are easy to change.
2006-10-25 12:28:46 · answer #6 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, you have a right.
2006-10-25 11:39:49 · answer #7 · answered by MSC 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋