When living in rental housing, how you handle your keys is a point that's surprisingly easy to overlook. Here we'll go over rules worth knowing in advance — whether you're free to make duplicate keys, what to do if you lose one, and how to respond if you get locked out of an auto-lock entrance. Knowing the basic rules ahead of time makes it easier to stay calm if something comes up.
- Whether you can make an additional duplicate key depends on your lease, the management company's policy, and the type of key.
- If you lose your key, the basic first step is to contact the management company or landlord promptly.
- If you get locked out at a property with an auto-lock entrance, it's reassuring to have the management company's emergency contact information on hand.
- The cost of replacing a key due to loss or damage is usually the tenant's responsibility.
- When you move out, you need to return all the keys you were given, including any duplicates.
Types of Keys and How Auto-Lock Entrances Work
Keys for rental housing come in a variety of types, from traditional cylinder locks to card-key, dial, and electronic key systems. Many apartment buildings also have an auto-lock entrance at the shared front door, which means you can't get into the building without a dedicated key or card. Be sure to confirm the number and type of keys you're given when signing the contract. In recent years, more properties have also adopted keypad codes or smartphone-unlockable key systems.
Checking Whether You're Allowed to Make a Duplicate Key
There are times when you might want to make an extra duplicate key, such as when someone new moves in with you. At some properties, making a duplicate key requires permission from the management company or landlord for security reasons, or the key may be a special type that ordinary key-duplication shops can't copy. Making a duplicate key without authorization can lead to trouble, so it's reassuring to check with the management company beforehand. If you're starting a room-share, it's worth confirming whether duplicate keys are allowed in the same way.
What to Do If You Lose Your Key
If you lose your key, contact the management company or landlord promptly. For security reasons, the entire lock cylinder often needs to be replaced, and the cost is generally the tenant's responsibility. It's also worth asking whether some kind of temporary arrangement can be made while you wait for the replacement. To prevent the key from being misused, it's important to get in touch as soon as you notice it's missing. If you can't find your key while out, first check whether you left it somewhere you stopped by, and if you still can't find it, contact the management company promptly.
What to Do If You Get Locked Out of an Auto-Lock Entrance
If you leave your key inside and step outside an auto-lock entrance, you may find yourself unable to get back into the building on your own. During the day, contact the management company and check whether they can help. At night or on holidays, you may need to contact the management company's emergency line or a professional locksmith instead. We cover organizing contacts for situations like this in more detail in a separate article. Keeping the emergency contact number written down somewhere other than on your smartphone makes it easier to check if you ever get locked out. If you do call a locksmith, it's reassuring to confirm the cost and how long it will take them to arrive beforehand.
Returning Your Keys When You Move Out
When you move out, you need to return all the keys you received at the start of your lease. If you made any duplicates, the basic rule is to return those as well. If you can't return a key because it's been lost, this can result in an additional charge, so check the number of keys you have before moving out. The number of keys you received is often noted on your lease, so it's reassuring to confirm this when you move in as well. Returning all the keys together at the move-out walkthrough is the standard process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Am I free to make a duplicate key?
At some properties you'll need permission from the management company or landlord, and some keys are a special type that can't be duplicated. Be sure to check in advance.
What should I do if I lose my key?
Contact the management company or landlord right away. For security reasons, the entire lock is often replaced, and the cost is generally the tenant's responsibility.
Who should I contact if I get locked out of an auto-lock entrance?
Start by contacting the management company. At night or on holidays, you may need to reach their emergency contact or a professional locksmith instead.
Summary
Because key rules aren't something you think about much in everyday life, they're the kind of thing that can catch you off guard when an issue actually comes up. Confirming in advance whether duplicate keys are allowed and who to contact if you lose one lets you respond calmly if something does happen. If anything is unclear, don't hesitate to ask the management company.