Q: Are deadbolt Anti-Intrusion devices legally allowed to be used by the renter in an apartment?
I am currently renting an apartment in Michigan and am having problems with the property manager. I placed an Anti-Intrusion device over the deadbolt of my door, for added security while at home. The manager is telling me this goes against my lease agreement, as per a rule stating that locks cannot be changed/ altered. The locks are still the original from when I moved in, and the manager and property group have a key to enter. The device placed over the lock only prevents someone entering while I am home (specifically at night), and cannot be used while away, as it has to be used from the inside of the apartment.
My question is: does my property manager have any right in telling me to remove the aforementioned device?
A:
Your question raises an interesting fact scenario. It doesn't sound like you are actually modifying the lock itself, but you are, arguably, altering the intent of that prohibition - the idea being that the property manager may need to access your apartment on an emergency basis even if you were home.
How did this become an issue with the property manager if the device is placed on the inside of your door?
Kenneth V Zichi and Thomas. R. Morris agree with this answer
A: We don't know whether the landlord would terminate the lease and take you to court, but I think that the court might be receptive to your argument. I do not believe that the landlord has a need or a right to enter your apartment while you are there.
A: Adding to my prior answer: the Landlord-Tenant Relationship Act provides for a residential tenant to terminate a lease based upon a fear of violence. MCL 554.601b. That tells me that a tenant's personal safety is given legal recognition and priority, so it is hard to imagine that a court would enforce a contractual provision that cuts against the tenant's personal safety.
A: If the lease provisions require permission from the landlord to change the locks, then the property mgt. company can prevent the installation of new locks. If you feel that the current locks are insufficient to provide you with adequate protection, then you should consult with the property mgt. team before you install them. Otherwise your actions could be construed as breaking the terms of the lease. If there is no provision, then they have little that they can do to prevent you from installing the locks, other than you providing them with access when they request it.
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