I'm wondering what my roommates legal rights are in this situation:
My apartment is made up of myself and 3 other guys, all just out of college and working full time in New York. We signed a lease for a 4-BR apartment in Manhattan in August, with a move-in date of August 15. All four of us have our names on and signed the lease.
When we arrived to pick up the keys from the leasing office, we were told there were currently only 2 building keys left. They said this would be rectified soon, as they had to get keys back from people who would be moving out. It is illegal for a locksmith to copy the front door key of an apartment building in New York, so this was not an option. The company that made the keys has since gone out of business, and it is impossible to replicate, so they told us. I did some research among locksmiths and confirmed this.
Fast forward to now (2 and a half months later) and we still only have 2 keys for 4 people. We have to coordinate our schedules to make sure no one gets locked out. The realty company installed an electronic access system, but has yet to produce the key cards, citing technical problems or other issues for the last 4 weeks (we ask them several times per week).
Since the four of us are all on the lease, doesn't that at a bare minimum grant us access to the apartment? Two people essentially cannot get into their own apartment at any given time. Is the realty company violating the terms of the lease? Do we have the right to withhold or postpone rent, or to break the lease?
Thanks for any advice you can provide.
My apartment is made up of myself and 3 other guys, all just out of college and working full time in New York. We signed a lease for a 4-BR apartment in Manhattan in August, with a move-in date of August 15. All four of us have our names on and signed the lease.
When we arrived to pick up the keys from the leasing office, we were told there were currently only 2 building keys left. They said this would be rectified soon, as they had to get keys back from people who would be moving out. It is illegal for a locksmith to copy the front door key of an apartment building in New York, so this was not an option. The company that made the keys has since gone out of business, and it is impossible to replicate, so they told us. I did some research among locksmiths and confirmed this.
Fast forward to now (2 and a half months later) and we still only have 2 keys for 4 people. We have to coordinate our schedules to make sure no one gets locked out. The realty company installed an electronic access system, but has yet to produce the key cards, citing technical problems or other issues for the last 4 weeks (we ask them several times per week).
Since the four of us are all on the lease, doesn't that at a bare minimum grant us access to the apartment? Two people essentially cannot get into their own apartment at any given time. Is the realty company violating the terms of the lease? Do we have the right to withhold or postpone rent, or to break the lease?
Thanks for any advice you can provide.