All houses need to be reasonably secure. Both landlords and tenants are responsible for maintaining a reasonable level of security.

Landlord must provide locks or security devices

The landlord must provide and maintain locks or similar devices so that the property is reasonably secure. Neither the landlord nor the tenant can remove, add to or alter any locking device without the consent of the other. Doing this without consent and without reasonable excuse is unlawful and may carry a penalty if taken to the Tenancy Tribunal.

Alarm systems

If a landlord provides a security alarm system they are responsible for maintaining it. If there is no security alarm system and a tenant would like to install one, they must first ask the landlord for permission. The tenant is then responsible for the maintenance of the security alarm system. At the end of the tenancy, the tenant is responsible for removing the security alarm system and ensuring that there is no damage caused.

Regular maintenance has further information about fixtures.

Neither the landlord nor the tenant can remove, add to or alter any locking device without the consent of the other. Doing this without consent and without reasonable excuse is unlawful and may carry a penalty if taken to the Tenancy Tribunal.

At the end of the tenancy the keys are handed or sent back to the landlord and the tenant no longer has access to the property.

Tenants must return all keys and remotes

After the tenancy ends, tenants must return all keys and other security devices (such as garage remotes and pass cards) to the landlord.

If the tenant is unable to return all the keys provided, a landlord can seek the full replacement of the lost keys and associated locks. The cost of replacing lost keys or locks can be negotiated between the parties.

The tenant must let the landlord know if the property can’t be secured

If the property can’t be reasonably secured through no fault of the tenant, the tenant should let the landlord know. The landlord should then have the locking devices replaced or repaired. If the landlord doesn’t do this, the tenant may have the work done themselves and ask the landlord to compensate them.

Locks in boarding houses

Boarding houses has information about locks and locking devices in boarding houses.