English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

I have had a couple renting an apartment in my home for under a year now. They changed the locks and I never received a copy of the key. Now they are leaving but still refuse to provide a copy of the key, and they are never home so I can never show the apartment to potential new tenants. The police said I am not required to have their key, but what do the police know? Is there anyone who can help? If I cannot show this apartment then I will lose at least one month's rent after they leave. Please help!

2007-07-09 00:44:58 · 6 answers · asked by giroeterno 3 in Business & Finance Renting & Real Estate

6 answers

Simply tell them to give you a key, or you are going to have a locksmith come by and change the locks on YOUR property. Your lease agreements in the future need to say something about changing locks.

2007-07-09 02:29:52 · answer #1 · answered by jdkilp 7 · 1 0

It's a matter of civil law not criminal law. That's why the police gave you the answer that they did. As a landlord you do have a right to a copy of the keys to the property and a tenant who changes the locks and refuses to give you the keys is in violation of your lease and any relevant landlord/tenant law.

Since they are moving out you are fully within your rights to have the locks changed and bill them for the cost of doing so and deducting if from their security deposit. If you need to hire a locksmith to gain access to the property it would be entirely appropriate to charge that to their security deposit as well. If there isn't enough deposit to cover the costs, you should sue in Small Claims court to recover any shortfall.

I was in a similar situation a number of years ago. I hired a locksmith while the tenants were still in the home and had him install high-security locks with coded keys that could not be duplicated without proof of ownership and could not be removed without expensive specialized tools available only to bonded locksmiths. I posted notice on the front door a to where they could pick up their copy of the keys. Needless to say they were furious but I stood my ground. They tried to sue when I deducted the entire cost from their security deposit but the judge tossed out their complaint.

2007-07-09 01:08:18 · answer #2 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0 0

It's your home. You can have a locksmith come and make a key. When they move out, be sure to deduct at least that much from their deposit.

Before you ever enter their apartment, be sure to give them written warning with the date, time, and reaons you plan on being there. Keep a copy for yourself.

You might also think about altering your next leasing agreement to make sure this issue is covered. No lock changing without your approval and a duplicate key being given to you. Also, you should include a statement that you will never enter without 24 hours notice.

2007-07-09 00:52:43 · answer #3 · answered by MJ3000 4 · 0 0

In any State I lived in they must give you the key for emergencies and, in fact they had no right to change the locks. I would have the locks changed back and tell them "Hands Off" or leave. You need a key for emergencies.
If you approve of them changing the locks then have them sign something that makes them responsible for anything up to and including the place burning down, if they refuse a key for you. Give them the insurance payments too.

2007-07-09 00:51:03 · answer #4 · answered by cowboydoc 7 · 0 0

they shouldn't change the locks w/out your permission in the first place.. a key should be provided to you even if you pay for it to be cut.. the property is legally yours and as such you have final say on such things as changing the locks..

2007-07-09 00:54:45 · answer #5 · answered by rockyt44 1 · 0 0

Your house, your rules. If they refuse to act like adults what choice do you have.Keep their things until they do pay what your owed.

2007-07-09 00:49:03 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0 1

fedest.com, questions and answers