There are plenty of good reasons to change the locks at a rental property. For the Property Manager or Landlord, this would mean employing the services of a locksmith.
According to the Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act, occasions where locks may require to be changed include:
- Tenants have vacated and not all keys are returned.
- Keys have been lost or stolen.
- The property has been abandoned.
The replacement of locks must comply with the RTRA Act as well as take into consideration common law.
Section 210 of the RTRA Act outlines the property owner’s responsibilities to ensure the property is “reasonably secure”, as well as their obligation to supply and maintain all locks and provide the tenant with keys.
“Reasonably secure” may relate to the risk to a tenant’s personal safety, the ability of a tenant to obtain home and contents insurance, the likelihood of break-ins, local community standards about adequate security for properties and the physical characteristics of the property and adjoining areas.
Section 9 of the Security Providers Act 1993 (Qld) prohibits non-licenced persons from carrying out the functions of a security provider and a person from engaging another person to carry out the function of a security provider.
In Queensland, all locksmiths are required to hold a security equipment provider licence to ensure they are adequately qualified.
Locksmiths are expensive compared to handymen, but they are not only licenced, but also have trade-specific insurance and superior lock hardware, which may not normally be available over the counter at a hardware store.
Stacey Lee Realty has experienced Property Managers to handle the task of maintaining your investment and ensure your investment is working for you with minimal hassles. Call us today at 07 3399 2966 or visit www.staceyleerealty.com.au