{"id":96061,"date":"2024-08-13T10:02:06","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T17:02:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/?p=96061"},"modified":"2024-08-13T10:02:36","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T17:02:36","slug":"can-a-tenant-change-the-locks-without-the-landlords-permission","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/can-a-tenant-change-the-locks-without-the-landlords-permission\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a Tenant Change the Locks Without the Landlord\u2019s Permission? A Guide for Renters"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a renter, there may be situations where you need to change the locks to your apartment immediately. Maybe you lost your keys and you can\u2019t reach your landlord or your lock was damaged in an incident, you may want to change the locks as soon as possible. But, you still need to inform your landlord or property manager that you\u2019ve changed the locks.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In this Redfin article, we\u2019ll cover whether a tenant can change the locks without the landlord&#8217;s permission &#8211; and when to tell your landlord. Whether you need to call a locksmith for your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/city\/8903\/TX\/Houston\/houses-for-rent\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">rental home in Houston<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or are locked out of your <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.apartmentguide.com\/apartments\/Oregon\/Portland\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">apartment in Portland<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, here\u2019s what to do.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-81757\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004.jpg\" alt=\"spring-home-decor-2\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004-1024x768.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004-200x150.jpg 200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004-840x630.jpg 840w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004-400x300.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Why renters may want to change the locks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Without regard to the legality or what\u2019s outlined in your lease, there are several reasons you may want to change the locks without help or permission from your landlord. There are a few common reasons.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Immediate security risk<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you lose your keys or have your belongings stolen, you may need to change your locks immediately. And if your landlord is not available or doesn\u2019t respond to the request for a replacement, you may need to take it upon yourself\/<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Criminal behavior<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If your apartment was burglarized or there was an attempted break-in, you may feel the need to change the locks to your apartment. This may include a new set of locks, enhanced security, or a deadbolt.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Landlord harassment<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While the overwhelming majority of landlords are professional and respectful, there are some that are not. If your landlord is harassing you by continually entering your unit without notice or permission, you may feel unsafe. If these actions persist, you may feel no option but to change the locks.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart technology<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Smart home technology is something you may look for in a rental home. If your rental has a standard lock, you may be tempted to replace it with<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> a smart lock or fingerprint-enabled lock for added ease and security. It\u2019s important to let your landlord know of this ahead of time as it may restrict a landlord\u2019s ability to enter when necessary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aesthetics<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Depending on the lock\u2019s durability and look, you may want to update your lock to a newer option. However, in this case, you should inform your landlord as it may be against the policies outlined in your lease. They may also have a different solution for you if you feel the system is out of date.<\/span><\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_86444\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-86444\" style=\"width: 1200px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-86444\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312.jpg\" alt=\"Mid-century modern house\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/GettyImages-1035729312-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-86444\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">YinYang via Getty Images<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can a tenant change the locks?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Are you allowed to change the locks without permission? The short answer is, it depends. Your ability to change the locks without advance notice or permission from your landlord can be both a legal and contractual issue.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The contractual issues<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As a renter, you take over some of the legal rights associated with property ownership. But you\u2019re still obligated to abide by the terms of the lease. The legalities of changing locks vary by state. However, in most circumstances, your best bet is to follow the rules outlined in your lease.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Most lease agreements state that tenants can\u2019t make major changes to the rental unit without permission. And changing a lock on a front door is certainly a major change. Regardless of the situation, your landlord should have specified in the lease what allows you to change the locks &#8211; or if you\u2019re not allowed to.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The legal issues<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Aside from lease obligations, there are legal and statutory issues to consider. In states that don\u2019t allow the changing of locks without permission, doing so could be regarded as \u201ccriminal damage,\u201d even if no actual damage occurs. Such actions could be considered modifying the unit without consent. Changing the locks could potentially damage the front door, resulting in additional costs to the property owner.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, several states do allow tenants to change locks as long as they inform the property owner and immediately provide keys. In a number of states, you can\u2019t be fined for changing a lock without permission if you provide an updated key when requested. It\u2019s important to check your state and local laws to understand what your rights are.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-87133\" src=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property.jpg\" alt=\"Selling a rental property documents\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property-225x150.jpg 225w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property-945x630.jpg 945w, https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/selling-a-rental-property-450x300.jpg 450w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/h2>\n<h2><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Who is responsible for the cost of changing the locks<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are three basic scenarios for a lock change &#8211; changed by the landlord, changed by the tenant without the landlord\u2019s permission, and changed by the tenant after notifying the landlord. But who is responsible for the costs incurred?<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In most cases, your landlord should pay for the costs of changing a lock. When a property owner or manager changes locks between tenants, for extra security or for aesthetic reasons, that is a capital improvement and the landlord\u2019s responsibility. If you request the<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/can-a-landlord-change-the-locks\/\" data-wpel-link=\"exclude\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> landlord to change the locks<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for a legitimate reason, that is the landlord\u2019s duty as well.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">However, if you change the locks without notifying or receiving authorization from the landlord, then you\u2019ll likely pay the costs. Any fee for an extra key you provide your landlord is likely up to you to pay.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And if you change the locks on their own and damage the door or frame, that is a cost that will probably be passed along to you or <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.rentals.com\/blog\/how-to-deal-with-tenant-damages\/\" data-wpel-link=\"external\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"external noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">taken from the security deposit<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> upon move-out. You can also be charged for a replacement lock if you fail to preserve the original fittings.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you lose their keys and request a lock change from your landlord, it\u2019s at your landlord\u2019s discretion if that should be your obligation or not. This scenario may also be listed in your lease agreement.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In the end, whether you change the locks comes down to the individual circumstances, including whether permission is requested, the details of the lease, and local regulations. An existing, working relationship between landlords and renters can resolve many issues without conflict.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Learn if tenants can legally change locks without landlord permission. This guide covers tenant rights, landlord rules, and compliance tips.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":537,"featured_media":81757,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"default","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[34343],"tags":[34458,34441,34683],"coauthors":[33440],"class_list":["post-96061","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-renting-a-home","tag-apartment-faqs-and-tips","tag-apartment-maintenance","tag-landlord"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v24.7 (Yoast SEO v27.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Can a Tenant Change the Locks Without Permission? | Redfin<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Learn if tenants can legally change locks without landlord permission. This guide covers tenant rights, landlord rules, and compliance tips.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/can-a-tenant-change-the-locks-without-the-landlords-permission\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Can a Tenant Change the Locks Without the Landlord\u2019s Permission? A Guide for Renters\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Learn if tenants can legally change locks without landlord permission. This guide covers tenant rights, landlord rules, and compliance tips.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/can-a-tenant-change-the-locks-without-the-landlords-permission\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Redfin | Real Estate Tips for Home Buying, Selling &amp; More\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/redfin\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-08-13T17:02:06+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2024-08-13T17:02:36+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.redfin.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/03\/GettyImages-200205889-004.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"900\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Alison Bentley\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@redfin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Alison Bentley\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/can-a-tenant-change-the-locks-without-the-landlords-permission\\\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/can-a-tenant-change-the-locks-without-the-landlords-permission\\\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Alison Bentley\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/www.redfin.com/blog\\\/#\\\/schema\\\/person\\\/de53ec0145e2448ed553d0dbfa6b3574\"},\"headline\":\"Can a Tenant Change the Locks Without the Landlord\u2019s Permission? 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