Required Deadbolts on the doors. (landlords, fence, mold)

[Curmudgeon]

Sorry, but talk about getting wrapped around the axle by minutia! If this is the biggest issue in your life, you're doin' good.

[TimC2462]

Originally Posted by maestrotech

I recently signed a lease to an awesome apartment in California. While I was moving in, I noticed that the backdoor facing the alley didn't have a deadbolt. A friend of mine told me that the landlord is supposed to provide deadbolt locks on all outside facing doors.

I asked the landlord if he could put a deadbolt on the back door. Now granted that the backdoor is enclosed by a 6 foot wooden fence providing me with a nice patio space, the door to the patio leads into my bedroom. It still faces the alley. At any rate, the landlord told me that he wasn't required to install one, however I was welcome to contact his locksmith (due to matrixing / master key restrictions) to have a deadbolt installed at my expense and to expect it to cost $100.

I asked about the requirement and he said that he is only required to put a deadbolt lock on the front door which. My front door actually faces his house on the same property.

The landlord's responded with inquiring with his attorney who stated this:

From: "***** ***** (******@evict123.com)" <evict123@*****.com>
Subject: Re: Legal Question from AOA Member

Pursuant to Civil Code Section 1941.3 a landlord must:

Install and maintain an operable dead bolt lock on each main
swinging entry door of a dwelling unit.

Based on your description, you do not have to do this for the back door.

The first thing I found extremely disconcerting was the attorney's website: www.evict123.com

I responded saying that being that my car will be parked in the rear, my main entry door will be the back and I much prefer to have a deadbolt lock there.

I haven't even moved in yet....

If the pros of moving into this apartment really outweighs the lack of a deadbolt lock, I would've coughed up the $100 myself or not move in at all.

On the other hand, if you have serious concerns about your safety, then you should probably start looking for a safer neighborhood. That's just me, however.

[MIKEETC]

Originally Posted by maestrotech

...

I responded saying that being that my car will be parked in the rear, my main entry door will be the back and I much prefer to have a deadbolt lock there.

I haven't even moved in yet....

Then get a deadbolt because it is your choice to park back there and use the rear door as the main entry door.

[Crazy Jake too]

If the back patio area is accessible and enter into the main dwelling it IS required to by the landlord to provide a deadbolt on the door if possible. If that door can be enter through an alley but still goes into the home and NOT a garage then it is required, NOT the double sided key ones either.. they are not allowed on rentals.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

If it's a swinging door, and it enters the unit, yes, he has to provide a deadbolt on it. Otherwise, it's not considered habitable. This would include a swinging back door.

If it's a sliding door, then no.

Here's the actual code:

http://housing.ucsc.edu/cro/pdf/locks.pdf

And here are your legal remedies:

California Tenants - California Department of Consumer Affairs

If this is a swinging door that you've asked for a deadbolt on, I think you should not move in. This landlord is in love with threatening to evict tenants who ask about their rights. He could have provided you with that info from a kinder source. Really intimidating to use an eviction site. What a jerk.

You're also supposed to have locks on all windows that are intended to open, BTW.

Also, as far as I know, you are only required to provide keys to the LL if you change/add a lock. Does your lease state that you have to have his locksmith key all locks with a master key?

You know, a cheaper option, should you decide to do it yourself, would be to buy a lock, take it physically to the LL's locksmith, let him rekey it to the master key in his shop, then you take it home and install it. Shouldn't cost much if there's no house call made.

Anyway, I'd look for a different place, if possible. I see trouble down the road with this LL.

[Dean Trails]

Originally Posted by maestrotech

I recently signed a lease to an awesome apartment in California. While I was moving in, I noticed that the backdoor facing the alley didn't have a deadbolt. A friend of mine told me that the landlord is supposed to provide deadbolt locks on all outside facing doors.

I asked the landlord if he could put a deadbolt on the back door. Now granted that the backdoor is enclosed by a 6 foot wooden fence providing me with a nice patio space, the door to the patio leads into my bedroom. It still faces the alley. At any rate, the landlord told me that he wasn't required to install one, however I was welcome to contact his locksmith (due to matrixing / master key restrictions) to have a deadbolt installed at my expense and to expect it to cost $100.

I asked about the requirement and he said that he is only required to put a deadbolt lock on the front door which. My front door actually faces his house on the same property.

The landlord's responded with inquiring with his attorney who stated this:

From: "***** ***** (******@evict123.com)" <evict123@*****.com>
Subject: Re: Legal Question from AOA Member

Pursuant to Civil Code Section 1941.3 a landlord must:

Install and maintain an operable dead bolt lock on each main
swinging entry door of a dwelling unit.

Based on your description, you do not have to do this for the back door.

The first thing I found extremely disconcerting was the attorney's website: www.evict123.com

I responded saying that being that my car will be parked in the rear, my main entry door will be the back and I much prefer to have a deadbolt lock there.

I haven't even moved in yet....

Great reason to not move in or go purchase a home and help the economy! If you don't want to leave the apartment, ask the owner if you can add your own deadbolt.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

You know what, I'm amending my opinion on this one.

I just looked at the website for the eviction attorney. Turns out he used to be the president of the Apartment Owner's Association, which is what the LL referenced in his email - that he was a member of the AOA.

The website allows landlords to ask him questions for free. It makes sense that the LL would know of him from his AOA membership, and why not ask an attorney a question for free?

Plus, this attorney provides free contracts and other forms you can download right off his website. I looked at the contract and it's actually a good contract, IMO. There is a section regarding alterations not being allowed to the property, including locks, without LL's written permission.

Then, as I see in the email, the attorney said, "based on your description" of the door, he doesn't need to put a deadbolt. I'm guessing this means it's not a swinging door.

Anyway, if the contract you have is the one from that attorney's website, you can't add a lock without his written permission. The exception would be if it was a swinging door, per the CA code on habitability. But, I'm betting it's not.

So, if I'm right in my new assumptions, I think it would be fair for you to pay for the lock if you want it, going the cheap route I mentioned above, and get it keyed to the master key. Be sure you have it in writing from the LL that you can put it in. Sounds like you have an email to that effect, which would work.

Sorry for my back and forth on this. I came back to this thread as I was curious about that website, and after surfing it, I changed my opinion

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by Dean Trails

Great reason to not move in or go purchase a home and help the economy! If you don't want to leave the apartment, ask the owner if you can add your own deadbolt.

OP probably isn't too concerned - original question was asked over two and a half years ago.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

Originally Posted by bigdumbgod

OP probably isn't too concerned - original question was asked over two and a half years ago.

Ha ha! I so hate when I do that

[bigdumbgod]

Originally Posted by NoMoreSnowForMe

Ha ha! I so hate when I do that

Oh well, the research done is useful for anyone else with similar inquiries.