Landlord Tips – What To Do When A Tenant Replaces The Locks On Your Rental Property
If a landlord is new to owning rental properties, or just getting started, they may one day have a tenant who replaces the locks on their rental property.
Sadly, this situation happens for a variety of reasons but the big question is what should landlords do about it?
In this article we will answer this question and offer you information on what the law says, and how you should deal with it.
What Should A Landlord Do When A Tenant Changes The Locks?
Generally speaking, an Oregon tenant cannot change the locks on their rental property unless their lease allows it.
If a tenant changes the locks on the property without the landlords permission, the landlord should request a copy of the key and if the tenant doesn’t comply, the landlord can file an unlawful detainer action or a Three Day Notice to Perform Covenant or Quit.
Tenants Must Ask Landlords To Change The Locks On Their Rentals
Ideally, the best route to take when a tenant wants to change the locks on their property is for them to contact their landlord directly about this.
Landlords are encouraged to act quickly and assist their tenants by changing the locks on their property especially if the tenant is a victim of domestic violence.
Laws Vary By State
If you own rental properties nationwide, it’s important to know that each state has it’s own laws regarding tenants changing the locks on their rental properties.
For example, in California tenants are allowed to change the locks on their rental properties and they don’t have to provide the landlord with a copy of the key, while in Washington State, tenants are not allowed to change the locks on their properties without their landlords permission.
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