Can A Landlord Have A Spare Key? (Find Out Now!)

It can be challenging to figure out what rights landlords and tenants have when it comes to spare keys. For some renters, it can be disconcerting to think that their landlord could potentially enter their home at any time. So is it legal and acceptable for a landlord to have a spare key to their rental property?

Yes, it’s legal for landlords to keep spare keys so they can enter the property in case of an emergency. Other reasons for landlords to have spare keys are regular maintenance, inspections, and letting in tenants who are locked out. Still, landlords generally cannot enter their rental properties without providing advance notice to their tenants.

In this article, we’ll cover the legality of landlords having spare keys and whether this means they can enter anytime. We’ll also discuss why landlords need spare keys, as well as some general key rules for renters.

While your landlord has some rights to enter the property, they don’t have a general right to do so. Civil Code Section 1950.4 explains that landlords are only allowed to enter for specific reasons. These reasons include responding to an emergency or making repairs.

Unless your landlord has a court order or an emergency is taking place, landlords must generally provide written notice. In most cases, the notice needs to be given 24 hours ahead of time. Landlords are also expected to only enter during normal business hours.

Let’s say that your landlord has a specific reason to enter, provides notice, and arrives during normal business hours. As long as they have complied with these requirements, they can enter the property even if you are not home. This is one reason why they’re permitted to have a spare key.

In general, landlords are permitted to enter their rental properties at a reasonable time and in a reasonable manner. Inspections typically require 24 hours’ notice, while improvements and repairs require a week’s notice. Meanwhile, true emergencies like flooding and fires do not require advance notice.

Tenants should note that these rules hold true in most cases, but can vary depending on local laws and regulations.

In most cases, your landlord should be able to provide you with an extra key. They’ll usually charge you a fee for a replacement key.

In some cases, though, it will be necessary to call a locksmith if you lose your key. Generally, the locksmith will need to get the landlord’s permission to change the locks.

Either you or your landlord may be responsible for the expenses associated with changing the lock. Who needs to pay for this service is usually spelled out in the lease.

Most tenants make copies of their keys to avoid this problem. As long as your lease doesn’t prohibit copies of the keys, then it’s within your legal rights to do so.

Related Questions

Can a landlord have a mailbox key?

Since the landlord owns the property the mailbox is assigned to, they can have a key to the mailbox. However, this does not mean your landlord can go through your mail. It is always illegal to open mail that is not addressed to you.

Can a landlord have cameras in the house?

Landlords are not allowed to have cameras inside a home to track their renter’s personal life. They’re required to respect the tenant’s right to privacy in their home.

In the case of an apartment building, landlords can install cameras in common areas. These could include shared entryways, hallways, and laundry rooms. Cameras inside living spaces or pointed directly at tenants’ doors are not permitted.

Can a landlord enter property without notice?

Landlords may or may not be allowed to enter a property without notice, depending on the local laws and regulations. In most cases, though, landlords are required to provide some form of advance notice before entering the property.