Can tenants change the door locks without the landlord’s permission? This is undeniably one of those questions that landlords and tenants keep on asking themselves. Is it against the lease agreement? What will happen if I change the locks on my apartment without notifying my tenant?
Well, this question should never be the underlying reason behind your sleepless nights. After all, there is no precise answer since laws tend to vary from one state to another. Things are not any different with leases as they also differ immensely.
If you have been contemplating whether or not to change the locks at your rental apartment, then there is no need to panic. Here is everything you need to know regarding locks at rental apartments. Continue reading to find out more!
Why Would You Decide to Change the Locks at Your Rental Apartment?
Before we dive deeper into whether or not you should change the locks at your rental apartment, you ought to figure out why it is even vital in the first place. After all, tenants tend to have varying reasons for changing the locks. Either way, you should never rush through the decision without determining why you want to do it in the first place.
To give you the tip of the iceberg, tenants can decide to take matters into their hands if they fail to get any response from the landlord after submitting a couple of requests to change the locks. That is mainly the case when the available locks fail to work correctly.
Furthermore, chances are you might not be the first person to rent the property. Since previous renters tend to keep hold of the keys, you might feel uncomfortable knowing other people could get access to your house. To get peace of mind, you may decide to change the locks.
When this is the case, it is in your best interest to request permission from your landlord before making the changes. If you choose to do it based on your sheer will, be sure to keep hold of the original lock fittings. In addition, you need to count on a qualified locksmith in Dubai to handle the job.
Vital Considerations before Changing the Locks in Your Apartment
Simply because you could not change the locks of your last rental apartment, it isn’t to imply the same will apply when you move. Keep in mind, you can also change the locks legally, as long as you understand how to go about it. Below are two things to look out for before you decide on anything.
- Understand the Law
To avoid making a decision that you might live to regret for the rest of your life, be sure to examine the laws touching on changing apartment locks in your area of residence. That will mean looking into both city and state laws as they tend to differ. The good news is, this information is available to the public. All you have to do is check out government websites, and you are good to go.
Either way, looking at the law might end up eating into your precious time. Rather than turning a blind eye as this happens, you are better off soliciting with your landlord to change the locks. After all, they can take responsibility for the changes even without a legal requirement.
- Check the Lease
In some states, the law defers to the lease. What this means is that you may be accountable for changing locks in your rental apartment. However, never rush through the decision without seeking further information and getting answers to all your questions.
Luckily, some leases allow tenants to request an apartment lock change if the current one affects its habitability. Nevertheless, make sure you have a word with your landlord before you can finally change the locks.
What Landlords Can Do?
Changing locks whenever a new tenant moves out of your apartment can take a toll on your finances as a landlord. That is why you should put the correct measures to prevent this from happening every time there is a move. But how can you pull this off successfully without the hassle?
One of the best ways to go about this is by making things clear in your lease agreement. With a clear agreement, you can make the change and still charge your tenant for all the expenses incurred. In most cases, you should deduct money from the tenant’s security deposit to meet the costs.
Alternatively, you can invest in smart locks that allow you to change the code whenever a tenant moves out. If this sounds too expensive, there is nothing wrong with buying door locks that allow for re-keying. Either way, you will never find yourself changing the locks every time a tenant moves out if you choose to leverage modern tech.
Who Can Change the Locks?
If you must change the locks in your apartment, look for an experienced locksmith near me. Some might argue that taking this approach will only prove costly. While there is some truth in this, you can save a few dollars by opting for a full lock change service. However, you must be more than ready to buy new lock hardware. That way, you will save money while at the same time giving your tenants peace of mind during their stay.
The Bottom Line
There you have it, some of the things you ought to know before changing the locks at your rental apartment. Remember, your decision could change depending on the laws, leases, landlords, and tenants. No wonder you should do your homework and figure out what works in your scenario before deciding on anything.
Be sure to look for specific clauses in your rental agreement or lease outlining the requirements for changing locks in your rental apartment. That way, you won’t have to worry about falling into the wrong hands of the law.
