My apartment managers have just asked all tenants to supply copies of house keys before a certain date and said they reserve the right to change the locks in case of noncompliance. They said that since not all tenants would be able to be at home during the scheduled repair of the building's heating system, they must be able to have access regardless. Frankly I don't feel comfortable for the janitor to have access to my house when ever he pleases. Is it within my rights to deny a set of copies without repercussion? I live in Cook County, Illinois.
2007-11-03 14:14:08 · 11 answers · asked by halihalo 2 in Business & Finance ➔ Renting & Real Estate
Your rights are NOT being violated. The OWNER has a right to maintain his building and MUST have access to the premises to have the work done. However, the management/owner must notify you in writing prior to entering your domicile. This should give you a chance to move anything of value out of the way of temptation for anyone entering your apartment. Upon arriving home, note if anything missing or damaged and notify the manager/owner immediately if something is wrong. If something has been stolen or is broken, call the police and file a report. Additionally, you should carry renters insurance which will reimburse you for any theft and or damage.
2007-11-03 14:23:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 1⤋
Ownership has its advantages.
You have to provide access to your unit for necessary repairs with advanced notice. Usually 24 hrs.
Just because you rent a place does not mean you can deny access to the owner or management for reasonable reasons. You rent which means you pay to use their place. You don't own it and can not make decisions on whether or not repairs can be made.
They are doing repairs not going through your stuff.
If you would be happier with a landlord that doesn't fix anything and doesn't care what conditions you live in, there are plenty of those out there that will take your $ every month. I'm surprised they don't have keys to each unit to begin with. We have copies of every units keys.
You can ask for a date for when they will be working in your unit and stay home that day, but they would not be doing anything illegal or wrong if they had to gain entrance to diagnose or fix a problem.
Good Luck
OBA
2007-11-03 14:32:13 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 5⤊ 0⤋
Sorry to say, he has the right to a key, and can have access to your apartment at ANYTIME of the day or night if needed....don't forget he owns the building and say you went away for a weekend and there was a water leak in the apartment above you, wouldn't you want him to be able to come in and fix your ceiling before all your belongings are ruined, or worse yet, a fire?
I know it feels like they are violating you personally, I felt the same way, but think of it as a safety net for you, because really it is.......and if you have anything in your apartment you don't want anyone to see or look through......get a lock box at the local bank....they're like $25 a year.
If you really are freaked out by someone in your apartment without your presence, you can ask your building owner to notify you when he will be accessing your apartment and you can plan to be home....that may rest your uneasiness which I certainly relate to because I felt the same way when I was in a renting situation.........
2007-11-03 14:56:54 · answer #3 · answered by mac 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
As both a former landlord and former renter, I don't think that your rights are being violated because you have been given notice, a specified time to respond, and a reasonable reason for the requirement. Go talk to the management before turning in your key, to find out the conditions under which they would require entry to your unit and if they plan to give notice of that entry like 24-48 hours in advance. Also, be glad that your apartment management actually maintains their building. Many don't.
2007-11-03 14:26:16 · answer #4 · answered by L B 4 · 3⤊ 1⤋
You may not deny entry, as long as proper notice is provided that management or its staff will be entering the premises.
Landlords and management have the statutory right to enter your premises, even if you are not home, to make repairs to the premises. If you do not comply with their request, you may find your door locks changed when you come home some evening, and no way to enter your unit.
2007-11-03 16:00:07 · answer #5 · answered by acermill 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
No. My daughter changed the locks on her apartment entry door because of a boyfriend situation. She was charged by the complex because they had no way of entrance for maintenance. But I do agree with you, that I would feel unsafe with someone having a copy of my keys. I, myself, would argue that I will be home to let them in; just let me know when you will be there. I would do anything to ensure that I was home for a maintenance inspection. I feel I would be thinking about it every day. Is someone snooping in my house while I am at work?
2007-11-03 14:59:24 · answer #6 · answered by Chloe 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
My advice is to check via google. Landlord tenant rights in your state. In my state we only have to give a notice of entry and yes we would rekey. A landlord in my state has a right to enter as long as proper notice is posted.I have keys to all my units and I would probably evict a tenant for non-compliance.So be careful
2007-11-03 14:44:51 · answer #7 · answered by Tanya T 1 · 4⤊ 0⤋
UGH! I just had to deal with this myself! They said they were going to come check my bathroom flooring......but in a few days......with no telling of what day or time it was going to be. I told them-NO! They have to call me and let me know when they were coming!
I mean, honestly~ what if I was in the shower??? Or just getting out and these MEN walk in on me! That is a complete violation of privacy! I pay rent~so my rights I think should be valid and should get at least a prior phone call to let me know when they need to do the repairs. I don't mind them having a key--the ARE the landlord, but not entering my home without approval! I know that every state has a different law. My advice----READ your lease.....or call the county you live in and ask them!!! :) :) Hope this helps!
2007-11-03 16:51:39 · answer #8 · answered by glitter4u2004 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋
they do need key copies but i would think they should have had copies before tenants leased the property since its not the tenants responsiblilty to organsied another set of keys.!
secondly they are legally obliged to make an appointment with you in advance to inspect the property and for maintenance proceedures then they are allowed in the property
2007-11-03 14:59:54 · answer #9 · answered by dot 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I know at my apartment complex (in Indiana) they have a copy of my key but I signed a paper saying that they cant walk in whenever they please they now have to make an appointment with me. So maybe ask the manager if he has anything like that you could set up.
2007-11-03 14:19:06 · answer #10 · answered by Tyler T 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋