Can a landlord refuse to let you re-key your apartment?

Question

I am moving into a new place at the end of the month. I am going to ask permission to have the apartment re-keyed. I will offer to pay for it and of course I will give the landlord copies of the keys. I would just feel more comfortable knowing that the door has new keys. Can he refuse to let me?

Answer 1

I say no. But you must let him know in advance and provide him a copy. The only caveat is, as one answerer said, if he has a master key system. In that case merely pay him a reasonable fee to do it.

Answer 2

Different states have different guidelines for apartment/home renting, if you have a signed lease which is almost always the best way to go, the landlord has no choice but to rekey the apartment, although he/she would probably require two keys one for you and one for them. However if you have no lease, you are, for the most part, at the mercy of the landlord, and that could be good or bad, really depends on how you look at it.

Answer 3

he could. it's well within his rights. however if you offer to incur the costs and share the key a reasonable person should have no problem with this  

Answer 4

Yes, the landlord can refuse to allow you to do this. However, it's kind of at their discretion. Most landlords probably won't care as long as they are provided a key. Since most landlords aren't the owners of the property often times they will have to consult with the owner.  

Answer 5

Yes, the landlord can refuse your request.

Answer 6

Yes, he can refuse, and may do so if his units have a master key system in place. (All of my units open with one master key.)  Before you go about doing this, simply ask the landlord if the lock has already been rekeyed.  Some complexes do so whenever tenancy changes.  Or they may offer to do the rekeying themselves.  Check it out.