Do I have a right to demand new locks be installed in my apartment in this situation?

[Dewey_Finn]

Someone alluded to this, but don’t the apartment manager and maintenance staff have master keys for all the units? Why do they need one specifically for your unit?

[Boyo_Jim]

@statsman1982

@Boyo_Jim

Look at it from the other side.

Is it YOUR responsibility to continue providing news keys to the managers because they lose them? Unless the management office has key cutting equipment on site, you are giving them a key, they are taking it somewhere to copy it, and you get your’s back later – somehow. Do they make you come to the office to get your original back?

I would tell management that I lost my extra key and I’m not willing to part with my only one for their convenience. If they want another key, they can have a locksmith come by and put in new locks, and give you both keys.

BTW, do you have dope-growing setup in a spare room? 'Cause I could see where your key could become very popular with the staff.

Nope, no dope except the Straight Dope here. And they do have a key-cutting machine on site, so it only takes a minute or so for them to make a new copy.

So tell the manager to make 10 copies, and stick 9 of them up his ass, so he can pull the next one he needs out of there.

[Not_a_Platypus]

@Dewey_Finn

Someone alluded to this, but don’t the apartment manager and maintenance staff have master keys for all the units? Why do they need one specifically for your unit?

Not necessarily. I’ve worked at properties (as maintenance staff) that didn’t have master keys, precisely because if someone on staff loses theirs, the entire property is compromised. In fact, my current job is the only place I’ve worked that does have master keys. Also, contrary to something posted above, most places (that I’ve seen, at least) don’t change the locks between tenants, but they DO re-key them.

If I were the OP, I’d ask them to change/re-key the locks. If they won’t do it, I’d go to Home Depot and pick up a new one and do it myself, giving them a copy. It won’t fix the problem of them losing keys, but it might make you feel better until it happens again.

How the person that loses your keys still has a job is beyond me. That’s a big fucking deal, especially if the lost key is tagged with something recognizable as your apartment #.

[statsman1982]

@Dewey_Finn

Someone alluded to this, but don’t the apartment manager and maintenance staff have master keys for all the units? Why do they need one specifically for your unit?

It would make more sense if they had a master key. But, down here in Texas, not everything makes sense.

@Boyo_Jim

@statsman1982

Nope, no dope except the Straight Dope here. And they do have a key-cutting machine on site, so it only takes a minute or so for them to make a new copy.

So tell the manager to make 10 copies, and stick 9 of them up his ass, so he can pull the next one he needs out of there.

I wish I were that brave!

[statsman1982]

[quote=“Not_a_Platypus, post:23, topic:555021”]

@Dewey_Finn

How the person that loses your keys still has a job is beyond me. That’s a big fucking deal, especially if the lost key is tagged with something recognizable as your apartment #.

It’s probably because pussies like me don’t know how to call them on their shit, and instead post about it on a message board. The apartment is owned by a pretty big real estate company in the area, and I suppose if I had the balls, I would call the main office and tell them about it.

But I’m afraid that if I get crosswise with them, they could make my life hell. “Accidentally” losing rent checks, misplacing UPS packages, and, “forgetting” to fix things.

[Dewey_Finn]

@Not_a_Platypus

Not necessarily. I’ve worked at properties (as maintenance staff) that didn’t have master keys, precisely because if someone on staff loses theirs, the entire property is compromised.

OK, that’s a very good reason not to have master keys. And by the way, I was in a hardware store a couple of hours ago and noticed these do-it-yourself rekeying kits for about ten bucks. That’s cheaper than replacing the lock.

[Al_Bundy]

@statsman1982

@Al_Bundy

If they don’t have a key, how would they know if you changed the locks and gave them a new key? Change the lock yourself and keep a poker face when you give them the key.

In your situation you really have no idea how many keys may be out there anyway. If they change your lock, they will probably be exchanging it for one they swiped from another unit. That’s how apartments work. Your main priority is your safety. Make sure you use inside backup protection to prevent forced entry while you are home. A simple 2"X4" with a half notch in the top and angled against the doorknob is very secure. Firemen say they have to chop the door to get into such a reinforcement.

Personally, if they said they did not have a key, I’d be A-OK with it. I’ll just take care of my own stuff.

PS. Getting into an apartment with no key is child’s play.

Supposedly, they have a key now in a “safe place.” They have now copied the key on three separate occasions. Plus, the maintenance guys are around a lot and might see me changing the locks, which might be prohibited (although, looking at my contract, I can’t see anything specifically prohibiting it, only that they have to provide security devices.).

I know that breaking in to my place without a key would be easy (break a window, etc.). But what I’m concerned about is that if they have a key, there’d be no signs of forced entry, which might make it difficult to file a police report. Wouldn’t the police response be “Well, no forced entry. I guess you left your door unlocked. Them’s are the breaks”?

You know your situation best. Do you really want maintenance people in your apartment. Personally, I don’t so when I rent I take care of everything. I tell the landlord ahead of time and they are ecstatic. Key and locks are another thing though. They feel they need entry for emergencies like whatever-fire, broken pipes. If they don’t have a key to your place now, at least wait until you need something, if ever, before giving them a key. Go get an extra key to have ready. That’s my suggestion.