Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from landlords

Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by sjwright on Friday May 10, 2019 @09:44AM (#19877596)

The first and second terms are unpalatable but could be tolerated under limited circumstances. I would look at concealing a remote-monitored security camera by the front door to catch and alert any unwelcome visitors.

But that third term is a deal-breaker. Eight weeks of living in an unsafe, insecure home with no privacy? I'm not paying rent for that.

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Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by hmhhcycbtsc557 on Friday May 10, 2019 @09:55AM (#19877703)

My rental contract (AU) has those three clauses parent poster presents, verbatim. It's sickening. I actually have a mind to go and find out from a lawyer if they're enforceable.

I'm not Australian, but my sense is that tenants are viewed by the law as something between children and moral degenerates.

EDIT: and landlords are permitted to (and do) "inspect the property for damage" on a six monthly basis. At which point they tell you the day before they'll be poking around in your home. I don't know why we stand for it, frankly.

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Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by adwww on Friday May 10, 2019 @10:47AM (#19878264)

Doesn't stop you leaving laundry, tools, bike parts, raw meat, or whatever else you think might put prospective tennants off all over the apartment.

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Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by djsumdog on Friday May 10, 2019 @09:53AM (#19877685)

That third one is pretty common in many countries. In New Zealand one of my letting agreements allowed them to show the unit a month prior to moving out.

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Re:Tenants win right to physical keys over smart locks from ... by fwip on Friday May 10, 2019 @10:33AM (#19878089)

About six years ago I had to deal with this. The guy showing our place kept forgetting to lock our door afterwards - one time even leaving it ajar.

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