Extra Keys for New Lobby Door Lock

June 30, 2004

LVT Number: 17459

Landlord installed a new lobby door lock for which keys couldn't be duplicated. Tenants were given one key. Landlord would give tenant extra keys for his housekeeper and brother for emergency entry. Landlord also said that replacement keys would cost $25. Tenant asked the DHCR what rights he had regarding extra keys. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said that apartment access is clearly a required service. So landlord has to provide a lobby door key to each lawful apartment occupant who is of reasonable age.

Landlord installed a new lobby door lock for which keys couldn't be duplicated. Tenants were given one key. Landlord would give tenant extra keys for his housekeeper and brother for emergency entry. Landlord also said that replacement keys would cost $25. Tenant asked the DHCR what rights he had regarding extra keys. In an opinion letter, the DHCR said that apartment access is clearly a required service. So landlord has to provide a lobby door key to each lawful apartment occupant who is of reasonable age. However, landlord isn't required to supply extra keys beyond that standard unless it did so previously. So landlord can charge a reasonable fee for extra keys unless it replaced keys at no charge in the past.

DHCR Opin. Ltr. by Charles Goldstein (2/27/04) [2-pg. doc.]

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