Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from landlords

Post by TomMarius » Fri, May 10, 2019, 2:17 PM UTC

ascagnel_ wrote: post #168

setquk wrote: post #101

Earlier quoted context omitted.

We changed the locks originally because we caught him in the place doing an inspection unannounced. All our clothes had been gone through and the computer turned on. Funny sounding inspection. The marmite was deserved. If you’re going to make someone’s life miserable and insecure for six months then we’re going to roll out the red carpet on pettiness.

> We changed the locks originally because we caught him in the place doing an inspection unannounced. All our clothes had been gone through and the computer turned on. Funny sounding inspection. That may be a criminal act in your jurisdiction. My local laws allow the landlord access, but the landlord needs to provide 48h notice of the inspection (with a list of specific exceptions for emergency work, mostly around pl…

Post by js2 » Fri, May 10, 2019, 2:20 PM UTC

setquk wrote: post #165

js2 wrote: post #159

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You might be interested in the not very good movie "Pacific Heights" about a psychopathic tenant, if you want to see a fictional telling of how bad it can get for a landlord.

I certainly understand how bad it can get for landlords. I'm not excusing any bad tenants here for sure. I will at least read the synopsis for that film :)

Post by setquk » Fri, May 10, 2019, 2:21 PM UTC

js2 wrote: post #183

setquk wrote: post #165

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I certainly understand how bad it can get for landlords. I'm not excusing any bad tenants here for sure. I will at least read the synopsis for that film :)

If you ever get stuck with another terrible landlord, it might even give you some ideas. :)

Post by whttheuuu » Fri, May 10, 2019, 2:22 PM UTC

colek42 wrote: post #169

criley2 wrote: post #146

Earlier quoted context omitted.

FYI for Americans, it is generally illegal to change your locks and not provide the owner (or agent aka landlord) with a copy. It's their property, not yours, and depending on state/lease they have the right to have the locks drilled/replaced at YOUR expense because you are not allowed to lock an owner out of their property. There are only a few US states which have laws permitting tenants from changing locks and not…

If you need to get in a house you own in an emergency that could cost 100's of thousands of dollars why wouldn't you just break a window, or call a locksmith? I don't think the tenant would be responsible for these damages unless the incident was caused by their negligence.

Post by hugi » Fri, May 10, 2019, 2:24 PM UTC

criley2 wrote: post #175

colek42 wrote: post #169

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you need to get in a house you own in an emergency that could cost 100's of thousands of dollars why wouldn't you just break a window, or call a locksmith? I don't think the tenant would be responsible for these damages unless the incident was caused by their negligence.

I'm not a lawyer but in many states these liability claims go through a system which determines the % of liability for each party. A tenant illegally locking their landlord out and causing delay of several hours for a time-sensitive emergency would almost assuredly get a lot more % liability blame than a tenant who properly gave their landlord a copy of the key and who was able to give access to the plumber immediate…