Returning keys after moving out of rental?

[Informed Info]

Originally Posted by Big-Bucks

You should be able to leave the keys inside the locked apartment when you leave for the last time. Snap a picture of the keys sitting on the counter or wherever and email them the picture. That would hold up legally.

It's not a hotel.

Anyone can take a picture of a set of keys and then walk out with them.

Best thing for OP to do is turn his keys in to the PM company as asked to & get whatever documentation proving that OP did so.

[Rabrrita]

Originally Posted by eddie1278

I will be out of my apartment at the end of this month and the property management company that just took over last month sent a letter stating i need to drop the keys off at their office. In all my years of renting i never had to drive keys to anyone i just left them inside on the counter and most of the time the landlord was there.

The place is not drastically far away but far enough to be an inconvenience to me. I feel like just doing what i normally do and just leave the keys in the apartment they have keys obviously.

Now will they f with my security deposit if i don't?

Unless your specific state law says you can just leave the key, or your lease says you can just leave the key, the odds are if the PM location is within reasonable distance to drop off the key, you need to drop it off.

Since they provided you a written notice of dropping off the keys, until they actually receive it in hand, they can most likely claim you still are in possession and have not surrendered the unit. This could require them to following holdover procedures as well as eventually using the regulations for abandonment before they enter and take back possession of the unit. This can cost you days of holdover rent and potentially legal fees, Most likely they would be well within their legal rights to handle it this way. For you, it could mean charges against your security deposit and even a possible judicial action.

You need to ask yourself why you think this is a fight worth fighting knowing that the odds are against you.

Now, many will say to just leave the keys and you are welcome to follow their advice. Just remember, they won't be reimbursing you for the money doing it their way may cost you and they certainly won't be at your side if it ends up in court.

Common sense dictates that unless their is a superior regulations allowing you to just leave the keys, you really have no choice but to follow their instructions providing the distance is reasonable.