The property manager/owner must supply and maintain all locks and provide the tenant with keys.

Keys include electronic key cards, swipe cards, fobs and remote controls.

The property manager/owner must provide:

• each person named on the tenancy agreement with a set of keys to enter the property
• a single set of keys for any lockable areas (e.g. buildings, security gates, rooms, sheds, lockable cupboards and mailboxes)
• rooming accommodation tenants/residents with a room key and, if necessary, to the house or apartment building.

To comply with minimum housing standards the property manager/owner must also ensure there are functioning locks or latches on all external facing doors or windows which can be reached without a ladder. 

Copies of keys

The property manager/owner must give the tenant a key for each lock that is part of the premises. For example, a key for a lock on a door to a room in the premises, on the mailbox, on a door to a toolshed that forms part of the premises or on a built-in cupboard in the premises.

If there is more than one tenant named on the tenancy agreement then the property manager/owner must supply each of the named tenants on the tenancy agreement with a key for each lock that is required to access the premises.

Changing locks

General tenancies

If a tenant is experiencing domestic and family violence and wishes to remain in the property, they have the right to change the locks without asking for permission from the property manager/owner. For more details about the process, see Domestic and family violence – information for tenants.

If at any stage of the tenancy either party wants to change the locks for a reason other than domestic and family violence, both parties must agree and neither party may unreasonably withhold their consent.

Outside of a domestic and family violence situation, locks can only be changed:

• if the tenant and property manager/owner agree
• in an emergency, or
• by Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) order.

Rooming accommodation

Residents in rooming accommodation can ask the provider/manager to change or repair the lock on their room if they feel there’s a risk to their safety or that their belongings may be damaged or stolen. This includes situations where the resident is at risk of domestic and family violence.

The Residential Tenancies and Rooming Accommodation Act 2008 (the Act) stipulates the provider/manager must ‘not act unreasonably’ in failing to agree to change or repair the lock.

If the resident’s request states that it is made for the purpose of protecting them from domestic and family violence, the provider/manager must change or repair the lock and must not give a key for the changed lock to any other person without the resident’s agreement or a reasonable excuse. Penalties apply to managers/providers who do not comply with this section of the Act.

If there’s a dispute over the replacement of a lock and negotiations have failed, the resident can apply to QCAT for a ruling on the issue of security.

End of the tenancy

All keys, including any copies made by the tenant, must be returned to the property manager/owner at the end of the tenancy. Failure to return the keys (including fobs/access cards/remote controls), may result in the tenant being invoiced for the cost to replace the keys, including the cost to change the locks.

Security

If a property manager/owner has additional security measures installed, such as a security screen or grilles on windows or doors, the rental property still needs to meet the requirements under minimum housing standards by having a functioning lock or latch.  

Security systems/cameras

If a security system, alarm or cameras have been installed, it is recommended the property manager/owner provides operating instructions and/or the product manual to the tenant. If a tenant wishes to install a system or alarm, they need to have written permission from the property manager/owner before installing.