Repairs, Maintenance Changed lock, no key

[wurmsworld]

kWithout my knowledge or my permission my tenant changed the front door lock, and refuses to give me a key to the new lock. I know this is unethical, but is it illegal?

 

[Betty3]

Texas: Can a tenant change the lock(s) on their apt. or house door(s) & must they give the landlord a key?

Under Texas law, a landlord must change or re-key the locks on exterior doors whenever a new tenant moves into the apartment. The landlord also must repair or replace any defective lock at his own expense. Unless the lease provides otherwise, however, a tenant may not "remove, change, re-key, replace, or alter a security device or have it removed, changed, re-keyed, replaced, or altered without permission of the landlord."

This does not mean, however, that you cannot have the locks changed. Texas law requires that a landlord must re-key or change the locks whenever requested to do so by the tenant. In such cases, however, the tenant must pay the reasonable costs of changing or re-keying the lock.

 

[mightymoose]

If you want to change the lock again you may want to give proper notice for an inspection. If a key is not provided to you prior to the inspection then have a locksmith open the door or access the residence by other means. You may be able to deduct any cost from whatever deposit you have collected.