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Does the landlord have the right to keys?

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strawberrysun

Junior Member
We just purchased a house in California and the previous tenants still want to live there a couple months until they find a new place. This is fine with us, however they refuse to give us a copy of the keys to our new home. Do we have the right demand a copy of the keys?
 


justalayman

Senior Member
We just purchased a house in California and the previous tenants still want to live there a couple months until they find a new place. This is fine with us, however they refuse to give us a copy of the keys to our new home. Do we have the right demand a copy of the keys?



sounds like trouble waiting to happen but as long as your ok with it, I guess it's ok.


since they are tenants, you have now become their landlord. As such, you do have a right to keys to the premises. That doesn't mean you have a right of entry (haven't checked California law for that specific issue) but you might.

Unless there is a lease existing, I would simply tell them to allow you to make a set of keys (your expense of course) or give them notice to terminate the tenancy (either 30 or 60 days depending on how long they have lived there). Their choice.


edit: I would suggest reading up on California landlord tenant law so you follow the law in any interaction and when the tenancy terminates, you follow the law in regard to their deposit and any claim of damages you might have.
 

xylene

Senior Member
We just purchased a house in California and the previous tenants still want to live there a couple months until they find a new place.
You plan to let some people live in YOUR house RENT FREE and they won't give you, their landlord keys?


DO NOT AGREE TO THIS


Get them out immediately!!!!
 

FarmerJ

Senior Member
As the new LL you are free to send to them certified mail explaining that if they do not allow you to have keys and you find you self having to make a emergency entry not only will you break in but they are going to pay for the repairs due to you breaking in. Personally id give them formal written notice that meets your states law tellling them they must move by XXX and do it via certified mail NOW .
 

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