Landlord has code to open door

[DonniePeverley]

Guys quick question. We noticed when we went to look at appartment, the landlord could place his hand on the door sensor (when you put the card), and some numbers would come up and she typed in a code to get the door to open. 

 

I didn't like this. 

 

Do i have rites to change this number, or would that be wrong ?

[ezzra]

Those doors usually have the options to change codes and hand movement once you took the property over, ask the landlord just to be sure.

[Peterw42]

8 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Guys quick question. We noticed when we went to look at appartment, the landlord could place his hand on the door sensor (when you put the card), and some numbers would come up and she typed in a code to get the door to open. 

 

I didn't like this. 

 

Do i have rites to change this number, or would that be wrong ?

That's no different to the landlord having a key to their property, Keys or codes don't often get changed everytime a new tenant rents a place. It would get very expensive, especially on a short term rental like airbnb.

[save the frogs]

landlords all over the world have access to apartments.

are there security cameras showing who is coming in the building?

put private stuff in locked suitcases. 

 

 

[DonniePeverley]

So i have 2 people saying i have to grim and take it, and that Landlord basically has a code to get into your appartment. 

 

One guy says i should EASILY get it changed.

 

Hmmmmm 

[digbeth]

how is this different to them having the key? 

[2baht]

 He's got your name

 He's got your number! ????

[digbeth]

I don't know if where you're from have the practice where tenants change all the locks in the place they are renting, but here, landlords or the agents or even the condo hold the spare keys

[Peterw42]

OP, is this something you would routinely do in your home country, change the locks when you rent a place, and not give the landlord a key ?

[steven100]

OP .....    as mentioned by others,  it's no different from the owner/landlord having a key,  usually a master key that can open every room. 

It's common practice .....    what if there's an electrical fault in your room and a fire breaks out and your not home,   he needs access,  or a water pipe bursts ...  he needs access.

 

It's no big deal,  just hide valuables or lock them in a bag,  also put a camera on the door if your that concerned.

[Etaoin Shrdlu]

Most lease agreements contain a clause that prohibits the tenant from making alterations to the unit without the landlord's permission. I would interpret this to include changing the locks. 

 

As landlord, If a tenant had concerns about previous tenants keeping spare keys to the unit, I would change the locks for the new tenant but keep a set of keys for myself.

 

In the case of digital locks, I think there is a master password that can be used by the landlord that can't be changed by the tenant, with the tenant having a separate password for his or her use.

 

 

Edited September 8, 2023 by Etaoin Shrdlu

[FritsSikkink]

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

So i have 2 people saying i have to grim and take it, and that Landlord basically has a code to get into your appartment. 

 

One guy says i should EASILY get it changed.

 

Hmmmmm 

Of course they have access it is their property. They have to ask your permission to enter while you are renting though. Ever thought what would needs to be done when a renter does a runner and the landlord doesn't have access.? 

[Liverpool Lou]

1 hour ago, DonniePeverley said:

So i have 2 people saying i have to grim and take it, and that Landlord basically has a code to get into your appartment. 

 

One guy says i should EASILY get it changed.

 

Hmmmmm 

Hmmmmm...it's a forum, what did you expect?

[digbeth]

1 hour ago, Peterw42 said:

OP, is this something you would routinely do in your home country, change the locks when you rent a place, and not give the landlord a key ?

I've seen this in some European countries where the lock is standardized the tenant bring their own key/lock barrel and swap it with the landlord's and change it back once they move out, no need to change the whole hardware like the doorknob, only the key barrel

[Bangkok Barry]

1 hour ago, steven100 said:

also put a camera on the door if your that concerned.

Just install CCTV, in case. Any landlord, in my view, should have the right to periodically check his/her property, especially in view of the horror stories we read of here, But it should be done by appointment, not when the tenant is out.

[FolkGuitar]

The landlord/condo mgt, is normally permitted to have key access to a rented dwelling. However, the first thing we did when moving in was change all the locks. Easy enough to do yourself in 10 minutes. Our landlord is 2,000km away, and we've never met her in the 11 years we've been in this apartment, but just in case, I kept all the old cylinders and keys, and will replace them when we leave. The locks I put in are far more secure than the ones that had been in the door.. I prefer 3-sided dimple cylinders over single side with just 4-5 pins. Much harder to pick, and can't be bumped.

 

[scorecard]

2 hours ago, digbeth said:

I don't know if where you're from have the practice where tenants change all the locks in the place they are renting, but here, landlords or the agents or even the condo hold the spare keys

An agent for my house in Pattaya gave me a new key.

 

She said the tenant wanted the main door lock changed because she was concerned that several previous tenants still had old keys to open the door. Therefore she wanted the lock changed. Fair enough.

 

The agent used a known locksmith to replace the lock then the agent gave me a key to the new lock.

 

Given past issues and problems I've experienced as a landlord* I want to always have a key so that I can, if needed, do an inspection of my property. Unless there is serious cause for concern I would always advise the tenant that I was coming (date/time) to do an inspection. 

• * I have no hesitation to comment; there's good and bad tenants and there's good and bad landlords.

If I had serious concerns and the tenant was unresonsive I would go to the property with the agent and let myself in.

[ChipButty]

No big deal, we own a condo and the locks a keycard which you need for other parts of the project if they had to they can enter our unit also the smoke alarm is linked to the security office they know exactly where it's gone off,

 

We used to have a villa that had one of them key pads, it's easy to change the codes I used to change regular the one we had it used to burn through batteries, 

 

I have bunches of keys for other properties that are rented out and the owners are not here, tenants have been known to get locked out and lose keys, we do take a deposit for the keys, plus it's a pain in the backside getting new keys cut, 

Edited September 8, 2023 by ChipButty

[gargamon]

In Canada it's illegal for a tenant to change the locks without providing a copy of the new key to the landlord. Two week eviction for violation. It makes sense if you think about it.

 

I recently evicted a tenant for this. It helps that rents are up 50% or more recently and the new tenant is paying much more than the evicted tenant did. 

[KannikaP]

2 hours ago, DonniePeverley said:

i have to grim and take it

Grin and bear it is the correct English phrase.

[JimTripper]

It’s considered more important for the landlord to have access here then your piece of mind for privacy. Just the way it is. If you have ultra valuables you’re expected to use the safe even in a long term rental.

[DonniePeverley]

1 hour ago, Bangkok Barry said:

Just install CCTV, in case. Any landlord, in my view, should have the right to periodically check his/her property, especially in view of the horror stories we read of here, But it should be done by appointment, not when the tenant is out.

 

Landlord needs to give notice to view property. That has nothing to do with the locks. What about previous tennants who may know the code ?

[JimTripper]

3 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

Landlord needs to give notice to view property. That has nothing to do with the locks. What about previous tennants who may know the code ?

Tell the landlord that and to change the code or if you can change it and give them the code. Makes sense to me.

[ChipButty]

15 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

Landlord needs to give notice to view property.

Usually written in the contracts giving 24 hour notice, 

[Bangkok Barry]

36 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

Landlord needs to give notice to view property. That has nothing to do with the locks. What about previous tennants who may know the code ?

Well, I would assume the landlord would change the code, same as hotels do when a guest leaves. Assuming, of course, doesn't mean they do as that would require common sense and logical thinking.

Edited September 8, 2023 by Bangkok Barry

[BritManToo]

Put a bolt on the inside.

[DonniePeverley]

42 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

Put a bolt on the inside.

 

What's a bolt?

 

Naturally will have to do something. 

[Trippy]

2 hours ago, gargamon said:

In Canada it's illegal for a tenant to change the locks without providing a copy of the new key to the landlord. Two week eviction for violation. It makes sense if you think about it.

 

I recently evicted a tenant for this. It helps that rents are up 50% or more recently and the new tenant is paying much more than the evicted tenant did. 

Wow!    It's truly a dog eat dog world.  

[connda]

10 minutes ago, DonniePeverley said:

 

What's a bolt?

 

Naturally will have to do something. 

Bolt lock for the inside

or

Bolt lock for the outside.

[connda]

23 minutes ago, connda said:

Bolt lock for the inside

or

Bolt lock for the outside.

Of course your landlord will take your entire security deposit for putting holes in the door. 

Fyi.  My landlords in Thailand always had a key to my apartments.  However, you can (and should) use a locking door-knob cover.  None of my landlord cared that I used these.  In fact, they encourage their use.
With your landlord having a key - you don't get locked out when you forget yours (I've done that more than once).

You can find these at any key shop in Thailand.  ????

 

In my last apartment I installed a wrought-iron screen door.  We lived on the 4th floor of the apartment building and got a nice breeze (no A/C in the rooms - living 100% "Thai" were all of the residents were also Thai). 

 

Landlord had no problem as long as she got to keep it when we left.  And - the $&^&% still kept the entire security deposit.  Just get use to that.  Don't bother cleaning your room as they will take it anyway about 95% of the time.  But, after installing that door I didn't worry about anyone breaking into the room.  It was worth the investment as we lived there for over three years.  Rent was less than 2000 THB / month.  Door plus installing cost 3000 THB.  Average that over three years and it added about 80 THB to my rent if averaged over three years.  And it kept us quite cool and comfortable.

Edited September 8, 2023 by connda