Can I deduct the cost for new locksand labor a from tenant’s deposit since they refused to return the keys?
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Can I deduct the cost for new locksand labor a from tenant’s deposit since they refused to return the keys?
My old tenant moved out on the 31st and another moved in on the 1st so I personally changed the front and back door locks for security. I also have a wrought iron fence surrounding the property and they have the keys for all 3 locks as well. I now need to hire a locksmith to replace those locks too.
Asked on September 8, 2011 under Real Estate Law, Illinois
Answers:
FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney / FreeAdvice Contributing Attorney
Answered 13 years ago | Contributor
You need to carefully read the written lease that you presumably had with your former tenant in that its terms control the obligations owed to you by the former tenant and vice versa concerning the rented unit in the absence of conflicting state law. If there is a provision concerning the return of keys at the end of the tenancy, that provision will control your situation most likely.
If the lease is silent about the return of keys by your former tenant and you were required to install new locks for the rented unit for safety reasons for the new tenant, then the old tenant is required to reimburse you for the time and expense for the locksmith to do what he or she did.
Had the keys been returned to you at move out which ordinarily occurs with a former tenant, the additional costs that you incurred would not have been necessary.
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