RPA Tenant Rights Blog » General Topics, Videos Post » Should you Change your Apartment Locks?

Should you Change your Apartment Locks?

By Tenant

Security is always the first concern, whether you are renting a house, apartment, room or condo. Standard exit procedures include that the previous tenant return all the keys to the rental property but there are instances when the keys are not returned. To be safe, most landlords just change the locks every time a tenant moves out. It’s also a way for the landlord to avoid being liable for any theft on the apartment. As a tenant, how would you know that the locks are new and that only you and the landlord have the key?



Here are some tips:

  1. Ask the landlord.

The easiest way to know if the locks are new is to ask your landlord directly. It is best if you ask this question before signing the lease agreement so his answer will properly be taken into consideration while you still have time. Once the lease has been signed, it will be like crossing the Rubicon – there is no turning back without penalties.

It is best that you will also have in writing that only and your landlord have keys to the apartment for proper documentation.

  1. Contact the previous tenant.

Your landlord should have the contact information for the previous tenant. Usually, landlords keep this information so they will have something to give out should a prospect tenant request for testimonials. When you get that information, ask the previous tenant about their experience, why they moved out and if they have returned all the keys.

  1. Inspect the lock.

The keyhole should have minimal to no scratches. The older the lock is, the more scratches it will have.

Do not move into an apartment if the door can be unlocked easily. For example, if you try swiping a card in between the door and the frame and the door gets unlocked, then that’s already a red flag. Also, run your hands along all windows to make sure that they can be shut tight. You also need to make sure the all the locks work.

In case the landlord has not changed the locks but you really want the apartment, you can talk to your landlord about the possibility of changing the locks yourself. It is important that you consult with your landlord first because it can be illegal to change the locks without consent.

It is normal for you to check the safety of the apartment before moving in. A wise tenant would actually do that. Now if your landlord stands in between you and your safety, don’t rent from him. But if you’ve already signed the lease before you found out about this, there is another recourse. You can file a complaint against your landlord.

To file a complaint, you can use RPA’s mediation services found in this link http://www.rentalprotectionagency.com/complaint_center.php. Keep safe!

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Edited on: Friday, February 22nd, 2013 10:45 pm
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15 Responses to “Should you Change your Apartment Locks?”

My response: (We welcome stories, examples, explanations, answers and a touch of your personality)
 

Timmy

February 22nd, 2013 11:00 pm

This is one of my main concerns when I was renting for the first time. Of course, a lot of people have rented the apartment prior to you. They have been given their own keys and it’s not an assurance that they returned the keys when they left. So what if they suddenly come back and they get access to my apartment? Worse, what if someone else took possession of the key and steals from me? That’s why I make it a point to ask if the locks are new before I move in.


Alvina

February 23rd, 2013 11:20 am

Correct. Ask your landlord if it’s okay for you to change the locks yourself. If he says yes, don’t forget to give him a key.

Chi

February 23rd, 2013 11:40 pm

As a landlord, I don?t want to be held liable for robberies within my apartment. I re-key or change the locks every after a tenant moves out.


Therese

February 24th, 2013 12:00 pm

Why would a landlord need the key? Didn?t he rent the place so I would have possession of it until the lease expires?

Antonia

February 25th, 2013 12:00 am

The landlord would need a key to your apartment so that they he would have access in case of emergency. If there are repairs that you want done, your landlord will need to let the repair men in when you are not around.

Arnette

February 25th, 2013 12:20 pm

Will the landlords feel bad if I ask him about changing the locks?


Niesha

February 26th, 2013 12:40 am

I don’t think so. I think the landlord will even be happy about it especially if you do it on your expense. Besides, just ask him nicely and try not to sound like you don’t trust him enough to leave things the way they are.


Renato

February 26th, 2013 1:00 pm

I would not be offended granted that a.) the tenant gives me a key and b.) nothing gets damaged during the process. If the door or the frame gets damaged, you will be charged and a fee will be deducted from your security deposit.

Kerstin

February 27th, 2013 1:20 am

I would suggest making that request in writing in case the landlord “forgets” that he gave permission.

Branden

February 27th, 2013 1:40 pm

As an owner of a rental property, I would even re-lock if a tenant says they lost their keys. I don’t duplicate, I give stamped keys. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Foster

February 28th, 2013 2:00 am

Some landlords may not even bother to change the locks and would just tell you that they did. I don’t know if that’s legal. I mean is there any law that says the landlord must change the locks every time a tenant moves out?

Ellena

February 28th, 2013 2:20 pm

I think that will still fall under the landlord’s responsibility to provide a safe environment. Change your individual state law as there could be differences in how the law is created per state.

Lakia

March 1st, 2013 2:40 am

When my tenant moves out, I change the locks on the same day. Of course, I make sure that they’ve completely moved and that there are no things left on the apartment.


Delmar

March 1st, 2013 3:00 pm

I’ve been a landlord for so many years and I can definitely attest to the importance of having my own keys. There are always instances wherein I would need to go into the rental property because of an emergency.

Ezequiel

March 2nd, 2013 3:00 am

Read the lease to make sure that you are well within grounds and your decisions are legally sound. That’s the best advice that I can give.


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