Comments on: Should you Change your Apartment Locks?

By: Ezequiel

Ezequiel — Sat, 02 Mar 2013 08:00:07 +0000

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.

By: Delmar

Delmar — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 20:00:08 +0000

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.

By: Lakia

Lakia — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 07:40:07 +0000

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.

By: Ellena

Ellena — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 19:20:04 +0000

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.

By: Foster

Foster — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 07:00:05 +0000

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?

By: Branden

Branden — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 18:40:04 +0000

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.

By: Kerstin

Kerstin — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 06:20:08 +0000

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

By: Renato

Renato — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 18:00:04 +0000

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.

By: Niesha

Niesha — Tue, 26 Feb 2013 05:40:10 +0000

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.

By: Arnette

Arnette — Mon, 25 Feb 2013 17:20:04 +0000

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