Giving a contractor keys to an occupied apartment?

Question

Tenant is demanding that I do not give the licensed and insured contractor keys to her apartment. She's allowing them to work throughout the day, however, expects me to unlock and lock the door for the contractor after each day. Are we allowed to give the contractor the keys? Or allowed to put them in a lock-box?

My line of thinking is, the contractor is acting as my authorized agent therefore allowed to have the key.

I'm sure this question is state-specific, but any insight would be appreciated!

My line of thinking is, the contractor is acting as my authorized agent therefore allowed to have the key.

I'm sure this question is state-specific, but any insight would be appreciated!

David M. · Answer

@Michael Bridgett

Oh...  I think I misunderstood..  Yeah, it pretty much sucks, but its a decent "compromise" that you open and lock the place while they work.  You don't have to sit there and monitor them.

The only other approach would be to have one of those "fancy" electronic locks on the door that you can activate and deactivate from an app on your phone...  For two weeks, it might be worth your time and gas money to have one of those locks put in place.

Kevin Sobilo · Answer

@Michael Bridgett, I would only allow a licensed and insured contractor free access to an occupied rental and even then probably only if I personally knew them to be of good character or if there was a situation where nobody else could be present to let them in.

However, if I did decide they needed access. I use electronic combination deadbolts. So, for a 1 day repair I can program a single use code that deletes itself after one use. So, the contractor can use the code and when they leave they cannot re-enter. I could program a few of these I believe in case it was a multi day job.

The issue with giving a physical key is that you have no idea if the contractor or even a helper goes and makes a copy and returns weeks later. An understandable concern for a tenant.

Michael Bridgett · Answer

It’s a lose/lose situation. She’s a problematic tenant who constantly complains.

I’m sure she’s being this difficult to make additional claims and complaints.

Unfortunately, this work is required by the county. It has to be done.

John Underwood · Answer

how about changing the locks after the work is done? You can rotate locks to another property so that you can reuse these in the future.

Gary L. Fisher Jr. · Answer

I wouldn't do any of that. My contractor is given the keys/method of entry for every job. Re-key the lock after the job is done and perhaps the tenant will feel better about it, but if the county is requiring the work to be done then I would explain that neither of you really have a choice in the matter.

In my experience unreasonable requests made by tenants are often resolved with a 5 min talk on the phone.

"I'm concerned the contractor will steal something."

Lock up any valuables and barring that I have made sure to only do business with licensed and insured contractors so that should not be an issue.

"I'm afraid the contractor will give the key to someone else and compromise the security of my home."

We're going to change the locks once the work is completed and I will be happy to do that at your expense after the work is done.

"I don't want strange people in my house."

The county is requiring me to perform these upgrades. The only other option is for you to move out, but this work has to get done on XYZ time frame.

I don't know about your state but if it something the county requires and she's been given proper notice I can't imagine how it could be illegal. As long as it isn't illegal, there's nothing wrong with telling a tenant, No.

Russell Brazil · Answer

I give my contractors a master key to all my properties

David M. · Answer

@Michael Bridgett

"Authorized agent" or not, would you like it if some contractor, whom you didn't know, had the keys to your house and could let themselves in and out as they pleased?  This is more or less regardless of any legal standing.  Its not exactly "right."  In my opinion and how i run my rentals, the tenant has the right to be present when anybody comes to the unit.  I offer to be present myself on their behalf if they feel comfortable.  Since I've had tenants for over dozen years they are comfortable with my guys so thats different.

Allan C. · Answer

@Michael Bridgett get a wifi lock and have yourself or tenant manage access.

Nathan Gesner · Answer

if you are doing repair work requested by the tenant, then the tenant is responsible for letting the contractor in and supervising them. If the tenant is unable to supervise them, then they will have to let the contractor in to work unsupervised. With the tenants permission, you can sign out a set of keys.

if this work is not necessary, but done for your convenience as a property improvement, then I feel you have a responsibility to let the contractor in and supervise them.

Giving a contractor keys to an occupied apartment?

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