Is a landlord allowed to have a key?

In Alberta, neither the landlord nor the tenant may add or change locks on doors into the unit or the building without the other's consent, which can be verbal or written. A tenant who changes the locks with permission must give the landlord a new key as soon as the change is made, and a landlord who changes them must make a key available to the tenant right away. Without consent, a tenant can only add an inside-only lock, such as a chain, that comes off without damage, and it cannot be used to block a landlord who gave proper entry notice.

Key fees are not against the law, but a refundable key fee becomes part of the security deposit, and all refundable deposits together cannot be more than one month's rent. Having a key does not change the entry rules: each entry needs its own signed written notice served at least 24 hours ahead.

In BC, a tenant cannot change the lock to the unit unless the landlord agrees in writing or the Residential Tenancy Branch orders it, and the Branch can authorize a change if the landlord is likely to enter unlawfully. A landlord can change the locks only if the tenant agrees and gets new keys. At the start of a new tenancy, you can ask the landlord to rekey the locks at the landlord's cost, unless that was done when the last tenant left.

A landlord can charge a refundable fee for a key or fob, no more than the direct cost of replacing it, but not for a key that is your only way in. A landlord who changes the locks cannot charge you for the new keys.

In Manitoba, neither the landlord nor the tenant may change or interfere with a lock without the other's consent, and neither can refuse consent unreasonably. The landlord must provide and maintain doors and locks that make the unit reasonably secure. After written notice, the landlord can enter even if you are not home.

The Act does not name a key deposit, and it bans payments it does not allow, so check with the Residential Tenancies Branch before paying a separate key deposit.

In Saskatchewan, a tenant needs the landlord's consent, or an order, to change the lock to the unit, and the landlord's consent to change common-area locks. A landlord can change the unit's locks only if the tenant agrees and gets new keys, or a hearing officer orders it, and can change common-area locks only by giving every tenant new keys.

No specific rule on key deposits was found, so ask the Office of Residential Tenancies if you are asked to pay one. A key does not let the landlord skip notice: entries need 24 hours to 7 days' notice, with a window of no more than 4 hours, between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

In Ontario, a tenant cannot change the locks without the landlord's consent. Doing so is an offence, and the Landlord and Tenant Board can order the tenant to give the landlord keys or pay the landlord's reasonable costs. A landlord who changes the locks during the tenancy must give the tenant replacement keys, and cannot charge for them when the change was the landlord's idea.

The only deposits an Ontario landlord can collect are a last month's rent deposit and a refundable key deposit, and the key deposit cannot be more than the expected direct cost of replacing the keys, remote entry devices or cards. A key is not permission to enter: outside an emergency and the other cases the Act allows, the landlord still needs 24 hours' written notice for an entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

In New Brunswick, neither the landlord nor the tenant may change the lock on a door into the unit during the tenancy, except by mutual consent or with a residential tenancies officer's written authorization, and breaking this rule is an offence. The government lists an unauthorized lock change by a landlord as an emergency.

The Act has no section on key deposits. It does make void any lease term requiring a payment other than rent, a security deposit or a reasonable amount for a service, so ask the Tenant and Landlord Relations Office if a key charge looks wrong.

In Nova Scotia, the government says plainly that the landlord is allowed to have a key to the unit. Locks on entry doors can be changed during the tenancy only by mutual consent, and the landlord cannot bar you from free access to your home.

There is no separate key deposit rule. A key deposit taken up front counts toward the security deposit, which is capped at half a month's rent, and the standard lease has a space where a maximum charge for lockouts or keys can be filled in. Even with a key, the landlord needs written notice 24 hours to 30 days ahead for an entry between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m., unless you agree otherwise.

In PEI, a landlord who changes a lock must give each tenant a new key as soon as practicable, and cannot charge for keys needed because the landlord changed the locks. A tenant cannot change a lock unless the landlord agrees in writing or the Director orders it.

PEI allows only one security deposit per tenancy, so a separate key deposit is not allowed. The landlord can charge the actual cost of replacing keys or access devices, or of extra keys you ask for, and you must return your keys when you move out.

In Newfoundland and Labrador, neither the landlord nor the tenant may change a lock on an entry door during the tenancy without the other's consent. Between tenancies, the landlord is expected to change the locks for the new tenant's security, at the landlord's own cost.

A landlord cannot charge you for replacing locks unless you or your guests damaged them. A key does not replace notice: outside an emergency, the landlord needs your consent or 24 hours' written notice of the time of entry, at a reasonable time. Once a termination notice has been given, showings need only a reasonable effort to give you 4 hours' notice, and with proper notice an entry can go ahead while you are out.