sandyclaus
Senior Member
What is the name of your state (only U.S. law)? California
I am aware that LLs have the right to enter their rental property with proper legal notice given at least 24 hours in advance, or in case of an emergency, without such notice. I want to know what the specific law is with regard to their being entitled to have keys to the property.
In my specific situation, my LL has a nasty habit of entering without notice (all non-emergency situations, just curiosity on her part). Despite my warnings to her and informing her that she was trespassing, she continued to violate my privacy. When it happened the last time, I installed new locks and did not give the LL a copy. Now she is demanding a copy of the new keys.
I realize that the LL should, for all intents and purposes, have a key to property she rents to me. I do not dispute that. On the last occasion in which she illegally entered my rental unit, the door was locked and so she entered thru my open window instead. I figure that in a true emergency, she has already proven herself capable of getting into my rental unit without havng a key. God forbid, if it was really an emergency and she had to kick down my door to get in, that would be fine, too - and I'd accept liability for damages due to my not providing her with my key. I just really cringe at the thought of giving her easy access when she has already demonstrated her clear disregard for my right to privacy with no justifiable reason by entering without notice in multiple non-emergency instances before. That opens up a whole new problem - if she gets the key, she'll have carte blanche to enter when I'm not home, and I'll have given her the ability to do it. And I have no doubt that she will do it. As long as I have the only key, it provides me with some security in knowing she can't just walk in and snoop without my knowledge anytime she wants to, and after all, that was the whole point to my changing the locks anyway - to protect myself because she cannot seem to control herself.
So, back to my original question. Does anyone know of a specific law or statute that REQUIRES me to give her my new key?
I am aware that LLs have the right to enter their rental property with proper legal notice given at least 24 hours in advance, or in case of an emergency, without such notice. I want to know what the specific law is with regard to their being entitled to have keys to the property.
In my specific situation, my LL has a nasty habit of entering without notice (all non-emergency situations, just curiosity on her part). Despite my warnings to her and informing her that she was trespassing, she continued to violate my privacy. When it happened the last time, I installed new locks and did not give the LL a copy. Now she is demanding a copy of the new keys.
I realize that the LL should, for all intents and purposes, have a key to property she rents to me. I do not dispute that. On the last occasion in which she illegally entered my rental unit, the door was locked and so she entered thru my open window instead. I figure that in a true emergency, she has already proven herself capable of getting into my rental unit without havng a key. God forbid, if it was really an emergency and she had to kick down my door to get in, that would be fine, too - and I'd accept liability for damages due to my not providing her with my key. I just really cringe at the thought of giving her easy access when she has already demonstrated her clear disregard for my right to privacy with no justifiable reason by entering without notice in multiple non-emergency instances before. That opens up a whole new problem - if she gets the key, she'll have carte blanche to enter when I'm not home, and I'll have given her the ability to do it. And I have no doubt that she will do it. As long as I have the only key, it provides me with some security in knowing she can't just walk in and snoop without my knowledge anytime she wants to, and after all, that was the whole point to my changing the locks anyway - to protect myself because she cannot seem to control herself.
So, back to my original question. Does anyone know of a specific law or statute that REQUIRES me to give her my new key?