Keys at closing are almost always a concern for me. I really prefer that buyers of multifamily properties change the locks or re-key the locks at closing, this is part of my strong recommendation. I recommend this for all properties, but especially multifamily.

Situation - I represented the seller on a duplex rental property. Buyer stated they would pick up the keys from my office at closing. No problem was my response. One side was rented and one side was vacant and the seller who lived out of state only provided me with one key for each unit.

The Explosion - Post closing buyer stopped by to get the keys. When the buyer discovered I had only one key she flew into a fit of rage. "Where are all the other keys to the vacant unit , she demanded?" I replied that this is all I was provided and regardless the locks on the vacant unit should be re-keyed for the future tenants safety. This did not go over well with the buyer and she said in a not so friendly tone "I have had rental properties for over 25 years and I have never changed a lock in the time I owned them"! I apologized and offered to re-contact the seller to have any other keys mailed to her home. She stormed out of my office.

25 years without changing the locks? Isn't that unfair to the tenants and places them at uncertain risk for theft or personal safety? How many times and how many keys are out there for that property in 25 years?

Is my policy wrong when dealing with multifamily property?

Doesn't the landlord have a responsibility to use care and reasonable caution regarding keys to a multifamily property?

Your thoughts on this please.