Do I need to change the locks for my new apartment?

[Triforceofcourage]

This is my first apartment so I am not very experienced with these situations. My dad said I should have the locks re-keyed so the former tenants can't still get in my apartment or the apartment complex can get in. Is this something you would recommend that I should do?

 

[SampSon]

I would change the locks altogether.

 

[DarkThinker]

Originally posted by: Triforceofcourage
This is my first apartment so I am not very experienced with these situations. My dad said I should have the locks re-keyed so the former tenants can't still get in my apartment or the apartment complex can get in. Is this something you would recommend that I should do?

Check with your landlord, they might not like the idea!

 

[MikeyIs4Dcats]

most likely your lease prohibits you from changing locks.

 

[SarcasticDwarf]

Originally posted by: Triforceofcourage
This is my first apartment so I am not very experienced with these situations. My dad said I should have the locks re-keyed so the former tenants can't still get in my apartment or the apartment complex can get in. Is this something you would recommend that I should do?

You are not allowed to per your apartment complex. You do not own the unit, the landlord must be able to get access. If they break down the door, YOU will pay for it. Most larger apartment complexes automatically re-key the locks after every single tenant. Contact the landlord and ask if they were rekeyed.

 

[leftyman]

Yes. You dont want this happening to you.

 

[mugs]

You can't lock your landlord out.

 

[FoBoT]

you are the renter, not the owner, you shouldn't be doing anything to the place yourself

 

[sixone]

Originally posted by: Triforceofcourage
This is my first apartment so I am not very experienced with these situations. My dad said I should have the locks re-keyed so the former tenants can't still get in my apartment or the apartment complex can get in. Is this something you would recommend that I should do?

Your landlord has probably already done this - ask first. They have no reason to cause problems for a paying tenant by allowing a former tenant access to your apartment.

Your landlord has a legal right to enter your apartment under certain conditions outlined in your lease, so changing the locks and not providing a copy of the new key could cause more problems for you.

 

[Platypus]

Originally posted by: mugs
You can't lock your landlord out.

Yep. You will not be able to change your lock, I almost guarantee it.

 

[DougK62]

You don't re-key an apartment. It's not yours.

 

[waggy]

do not just go and have it redone. you will get in a lot of trouble.

talk to the landlord first. never do anything to the apartment without writen permission from them.

 

[MrBond]

I've never done that before, but I guess it's something you could consider. There's no guarantee the old tenants turned in all their keys.

The apartment may re-key the locks themselves. You might ask them if you're concerned (ie: last tenants left under bad circumstances/evicted/etc). The apartment complex typically likes to have a key to the apartment so they can do maintenance stuff while you're not there. I always have to give them permission to enter for something like that.

 

[ViviTheMage]

you cant, you have a landlord!

 

[JDub02]

I had some trouble with a roommate. When he left, I paid the apartment complex $30 to have the locks changed. Just ask.