So tonight i was outside my apt. talking with my neighbor and he starts telling me about how his roommate walked into the wrong apt. the other day. he used his key and opened one of the neighbors doors. so we got to thinking and i went and used my key on his door and what do you know, it opens his too. So far we have found about 3 other apt.'s that our keys open too. this is a pretty big security issue and all of the neighbors we have told are pretty pissed off about it. anyone know what kind of action i should take, whether it be legal or just simply telling my landlord about it. I dont really feel safe here anymore because of this.

any help would be appreciated.

 

Start with the landlord. If he's unresponsive, install your own deadbolt or change the lock yourself. Document the fact that you spoke to the landlord about it so if he complains about "unauthorized modifications" you will have a leg to stand on. I'm sure your lease allows him entry, but that's with a master key, not by keying all the locks the same.

 

Agreed and give him 12 hours to have it changed himself or you will do it yourself and deduct the money from the rent.

 

I wouldn't even worry about trying to deduct it from the rent. Take care of the issue and don't escalate things.

 

Agreed! Just change the locks and keep your mouth shut. Manager will never know. Don't change the hardware, that's too noticable. Buy a tumbler set from the same manufacturer and switch out the guts.

 

i went and told them about it today and they acted all surprised. so they are coming today for have them rekeyed.

 

thats pretty messed up man. i havent heard of anything like that before but i know at my gf's apartment her freshman yr they room keys were the same for each apartment. so room a in one apt opened room a in the other ones too.

im glad my place now has 4 different room keys and 1 house key and they are all different for each place even.

 

Someone either made a copy of the master and handed it out by mistake or they changed the locks at some point and just went to the hardware store and bought locks not knowing they were keyed alike. I am really surprised you don't hear more about this kind of thing happening with the way they package and sell locks.

 

ya i watched the guy pull the new locks apart today and put the pins in them. so i know these are keyed alike anymore. we got completely new deadbolts and they rekeyed the **** locks.

 

Thats kinda weird. Just yesterday my co worker go to my work van and unlocks my back door to my 2004 Chevy Express. With the key to his 1999 Chevy Express. I didn't believe it and had to see for myself. Sure enough, but it only works on the back door and I haven't been near his van to try my keys in his.

 

well i went and took a nap today after the guy came and replaced the locks. I woke up to find 2 cop cars right outside my door. Supposedly the girl 2 doors down came home today and someone was in her apt. She ran out and locked herself in her car and called the cops. I have a feeling the guy that changed the locks on the doors today left her apartment unlocked, since they werent home when they changed them. Well im glad i said something about ours. The bars will be over our doors tonight and the 12 gauge will be sitting next to the bed.

 

damn ethan thats messed up! keep that gun loaded

 

If dsq3973's idea is what happened (someone made a copy of the master, and handed it out) then you should still have the same problem. If anyone still has the key that they had before, try it in one of the new locks. Also, I'd use a portable door securing device, like 'the Club'. You just might avoid having to bust some buckshot into a bad guy...