Legallity of 2 units with the same key...

[danceprns09]

What is the name of your state? California

I know that one way that a lease can be terminated early is upon illegal activity on the part of the landlord....
We just recently discovered that the unit across the hall has the same lock as ours. Our key opens both their deadbolt and doorknob lock...and theirs opens ours. This is a clear violation or our safety and privacy...thus I would imagine it is highly illegal.

Does anyone know what our rights may be about getting out of our lease...would our landlord be required to pay any relocation fees for us.....could we use this as leverage to renegotiate our lease to a shorter term?

If you have any information about this...please let me know
Thanks

lpolk@usc.edu

 

[JETX]

"Does anyone know what our rights may be about getting out of our lease...would our landlord be required to pay any relocation fees for us.....could we use this as leverage to renegotiate our lease to a shorter term?"
*** I agree with you that this is a problem, but I doubt that it was 'illegal activity', but more likely a simple error. Contact the landlord and ask them to change the locks. I am sure that they will do so at their cost.

And no, this does not give you a right to terminate or negotiate a more favorable lease.

 

[FarmerJ]

Most LLs who have enough units have alot of mastered lock sets for changing out locks on rentals and your finding out about each others keys and locks is a fluke . In writting to your LL ask for your lock to be changed as im sure your nbr now has .

 

[Cvillecpm]

Who found this our first? You or neighbor?

You should have immediately notified LL and asked that both locks be changed even if they are kept on master. It is not like someone is going around trying keys in locks....you and neighbor just need to be protected from each other now.

 

[Charleee]

Mastered locks...probably the biggest liability risk a landlord can take.

 

[HomeGuru]

Mastered locks...probably the biggest liability risk a landlord can take.

**A: ok, so when did you request in writing via certifed rrr mail that L rekey your locks?

 

[Charleee]

HG - I didn't. When I was a renter years ago, I had the locks re-keyed myself upon moving in and provided the LL a copy od the new key...just to be sure it was not on a master and that only the LL and myself had keys. As a LL myself now, we do not put locks on masters.

 

[HomeGuru]

HG - I didn't. When I was a renter years ago, I had the locks re-keyed myself upon moving in and provided the LL a copy od the new key...just to be sure it was not on a master and that only the LL and myself had keys. As a LL myself now, we do not put locks on masters.

**A: and what does this all mean?

 

[Charleee]

Mastered locks...probably the biggest liability risk a landlord can take.

**A: ok, so when did you request in writing via certifed rrr mail that L rekey your locks?

You asked the above in reply to my post and I replied. Not sure I understand what your above question had to do with my post...unless it was intended for the OP rather than mine?

 

[HomeGuru]

Yes, I thought you were the writer. My mistake.

 

[Charleee]

BTW, HG - I really enjoy reading your posts on this and several other topics. Have a good nite.

 

[HomeGuru]

Thanks and you have a good week.