Spare Key
im new, just wanted to know what people here thought about my situation. i have a tenant who "borrowed" the spare key. after about 1 month i saw them and asked for the spare key, they said they would get me the key the next day. obviously they didnt. what should i do? also they are constantly late on the rent. any help or suggestions?
First, take it as a learning experience. Don't ever let them "borrow" the spare. If they need it, go open the door and leave.
Second, to get your key back, simply go knock on the door and request it's return NOW (be nice though). If they cannot produce it immediately, inform them that you'll have to have the doors rekeyed and they will have to pay for the expense.
Roger
I think you see you mistake and it will not happen again.
My syste is that I use identically keyed deadbolts for the exterior doors and these are the only keyed locks in the house. I have the locks changed the day before movein and give the tenant(s) 3 keys which is documented in my lease. I then keep an extra key on my multi key ring in the car and an extra key on my multi key ring at home. The paper tag gives the street name but not the exact address. I rotate the changed out locks between properties.
Now back to your immediate problem. Tell your tenant that there is a $75 per lost key charge and to avoid that charge he will need to have a copy made and have the keep returned to you by tomorrow. If he does not give it to you tomorrow then post a 7 day notice on his door for the $75 charge. It is a bluff but what the heck..
Brenda
I had an apartment complex where they were always losing keys....I started charging a $50.00 lost key charge and a key was never reported lost after that warning.