When renting an apartment, it is very common for both the tenant and the owner to have doubts about the possibility of changing the lock on the rented apartment. It is important to clarify this doubt before moving in to take the necessary measures and guarantee the safety of the home. Since there is a concern that other people have lived in that house, they may have copies of the keys to the lock. Are you about to move into a new rental house or have you been living in the same place for a while, but want to improve security by changing the lock? These are the legal obligations of the landlord and the rights of the tenant with respect to changing the lock in a rented property.
In the field of housing rentals, the change of locks can be an ambiguous matter. Is it the responsibility of the owner or the tenant? According to the Urban Leasing Law (LAU), and various court rulings, the answer may be more complex than it seems. Landlord and lessee have rights and obligations that must be understood in this context.
Who is responsible for changing the lock on a rental apartment?
In general, the owner of a rented home is obliged to keep it in habitable conditions. This includes home security, which includes the proper functioning of the locks. However, it is important to clarify that this responsibility generally applies to defects or wear caused by normal use and not to the change of locks at the tenant’s request.
Can the tenant change the locks?
According to the LAU, the tenant cannot make changes without the consent of the owner. But there are exceptions. In situations where the security of the tenant may be in jeopardy, such as in cases of theft or threats, the tenant may have the right to change the lock, as long as they notify the landlord and provide them with a copy of the new key. On the legal side, the jurisprudence says that there is a series of sentences that founded a precedent in this matter.
