Q: My Tennant changed the lock. What is our recourse?
A: Ask your tenant to meet with you at the leased space and deliver two additional copies of the key (made at his expense) to the new lock. Make sure the new keys work. Show the tenant the provision of the lease which prohibits the tenant from changing the locks. The most serious reasons for not changing locks is to allow the fire department, medical emergency serious and others to enter the leased space in an emergency. If a key is not provided in such instances, the door would need to be knocked down, causing additional damages, and the tenant would be responsible for the cost of replacing the door, fixing the damages and replacing the lock and fixing the damage. You should also send him a written notice of default for changing the lock and, if permitted by the lease, charge him for the default.
Anthony M. Avery agrees with this answer
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