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 00:59:27 · 12 answers · asked by giroeterno 3 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
What does your lease say? If it doesn not say you are required, you may not be. Contact an atty.
2007-07-09 02:11:32 · answer #1 · answered by wizjp 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
First I would suggest you look into the Landlord/Tenants rights for your State/Province. It wont be able to help you this time but it will if things similar in nature happen down the road. I'm going to side with the police on this one as they don't actually have to give you a key til they move out.
In future rental agreements add in writing that modifying property including locks will be done by the property owner not the renter. Something else you could consider is installing a keypad entry lock, that way you can change the code after each renter so there is no excuse for them to change the locks.
2007-07-09 01:29:40 · answer #2 · answered by lovelornlarry 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I have never heard of such a thing. Every apartment I have lived in it was required the landlord or managing office had a copy of the key in the event of an emergency. I would actually take them to small claims court and sue for the loss of this one months rent. Your right about the police. They don't know chite. For example, in the State of North Carolina tenants are required to give a copy of there key, as well as, give the landlord there new address when they move for just in case after inspection of the premises the landlord finds there has been some damaged.
2007-07-09 01:04:59 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think you do have a right to the key, like any other property owner. i dont know where u r but where im from there is a landlord and tenants act that may help or even a rentals tribunal that should be able to give u in writing what the requirements are regarding that. If u end up losing amonths rent u can always consider going to court with this couple and having them pay since they were the ones who made u lose out on it.
2007-07-09 01:05:04 · answer #4 · answered by Cindy7777 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It is not right that you do not have a key but if they are moving, good luck getting one before they leave. Try to get them to make appointments with you to show the property while they are home since they obviously do not want anyone in there without being home. I would keep a part of their security deposit to re-key the locks when they vacate the property. You need to budet to lose one month rent when tenant moves out in case there are extensive repairs needed that take time.
2007-07-09 01:07:38 · answer #5 · answered by amoroushotmama 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
police do not know the law in regard to civil issues please,
first hopefully your lease says something about locks, if not then in general since you own the place and have a right in emergency to enter the unit without notice it would imply you should have a key for emergency use,
you can inform the tenant they are in breach of the lease and to issue a key in 3 days or you will have a lock smith install new lock give them a key so it is not a lock out on your part and charged their security deposit for changing the locks
2007-07-09 01:28:52 · answer #6 · answered by goz1111 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Read the lease! Every lease I have ever seen offers the owner/owner's agent reasonable access to the property.
Your lease will also give you the right to market the property to new tenants.
I don't know all the circumstances.
Tell them this: I need to come by and do a quick inspection of the HVAC system & replace the filter. Successful landlords use this excuse to look at their properties every quarter or more often.
2007-07-09 01:55:54 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
They had no right to change the locks, they do not own the property. Unless you gave them expressed permission to do this, they have broken their lease. I would have a locksmith come out when they are not home and have the locks changed again. PS do not give them the new key
2007-07-09 10:24:46 · answer #8 · answered by Pengy 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Although they are not required, u have two options. wait it out. or wait for them to come home and demand a set of spare keys. Or as the landlord u must change the locks anyways once they vacate. i suggest going over around a time they will be coming home from work and getting a spare set.
2007-07-09 01:26:30 · answer #9 · answered by spadezgurl22 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If they are leaving. why not have a locksmith make you a key. Or better yet, have the locks changed yourself. Then you could give them a key if they are entitled to it.
2007-07-09 01:10:49 · answer #10 · answered by james d 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
depends on your states tenant laws etc...
You need a lawyer unfortuntely.
Good luck!
What is in your lease regarding locks? as long as it's signed by them it holds more than water too
2007-07-09 01:06:34 · answer #11 · answered by Nic. 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋