Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from landlords

Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by Sendotsh on Friday May 10, 2019 @06:34AM (#19876565)

In Australia you’re legally allowed to change the locks on your rental but you’re required to give a copy of the new keys to your Agent within x hours (my contract says 24hrs).

We do it for all properties and highly recommend it, as we’ve had an ex-contractor (had worked on renovations) walk into our rental a week after we moved in, letting himself in with his keys thinking no one had moved in yet. Wifey was on the couch and let out a hell of a yell, and we chased him out before calling the Police.

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Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by jfk13 on Friday May 10, 2019 @06:38AM (#19876581)

In my experience (UK), a typical rental agreement will require you to inform the landlord/agent and provide them with a key, or even get their prior consent to make the change. (I'm not sure if there's actual law on the subject or if it's purely down to the terms of the contract.)

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Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by jon-wood on Friday May 10, 2019 @07:20AM (#19876743)

UK rentals typically require prior approval for any sort of modification made to the home - I've had contracts where they considered hanging a picture to be a modification, so I'm pretty sure changing the locks would come under that clause.

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