You cannot change the locks on an apartment you rent without your landlord's written permission, and doing so can give them legal grounds to evict you.
Most lease agreements and state tenant laws treat the locks as part of the building's security system, which the landlord controls. If you change them without consent, you are technically altering the property and breaking the lease. Even if your reason seems reasonable — a lost key, a safety concern, an ex-partner with access — the legal path requires landlord approval first, not action first.
The exception is if you have a documented safety threat. Some states allow tenants to change locks or add security devices if they have a restraining order, a police report of domestic violence, or a similar court document. Even then, you usually must notify the landlord in writing and provide them with a copy of the new key or the ability to access the unit in an emergency.
Key Takeaways
- Changing locks without landlord permission violates most leases and can result in eviction, even if you pay for the change yourself.
- If you have a safety concern backed by a restraining order or police report, some states allow you to change locks after notifying your landlord in writing.
- The landlord has a legal right to access the unit for repairs, inspections, and emergencies, so they must be able to enter even if you change the locks.
- The fastest legal option for a lost key or security concern is to contact your landlord and ask them to rekey the locks at their expense or with their approval.
- If your landlord refuses a reasonable security request, your state's tenant board or housing authority can advise whether you have grounds to break the lease.
Why landlords control the locks
The locks are part of the building's security infrastructure, not your personal property. Your landlord owns the apartment and is responsible for maintaining it, insuring it, and ensuring they can access it legally. State law gives landlords the right to enter for repairs, pest control, inspections, and emergencies — a right they cannot exercise if you have changed the locks and not given them a key.
If a fire breaks out, a pipe bursts, or a tenant in the unit below reports a leak, the landlord (or the fire department) needs to be able to enter when ready. If you have changed the locks without their knowledge, you have blocked that access and created a liability problem for them. That is why lease violations around locks are taken seriously.
What happens if you change the locks without permission
Your landlord can treat it as a lease violation and begin eviction proceedings. The process varies by state, but typically they will send you a written notice to cure (fix the problem) or quit (leave). If you do not restore the original locks or provide them with a key within the timeframe stated — usually 3 to 7 days — they can file for eviction in court.
Even if you win the case eventually, you will have legal bills, a court record, and the stress of an eviction filing. That record can follow you to future rental applications. Landlords often run background checks that flag eviction cases, and many will deny your process if they see one, regardless of the outcome.
When you have a legitimate safety reason
If you are in danger — from a domestic partner, a stalker, or someone else with a key — you have stronger ground to act. Many states recognize that tenant safety overrides the landlord's convenience. However, the law usually requires you to have documentation: a restraining order, a police report with a case number, or a court order of protection.
With that documentation, you can typically change the locks or add a deadbolt after notifying your landlord in writing. Send them a letter (email counts) that includes a copy of the restraining order or police report, explains the safety threat, and tells them you are changing the locks. Provide them with a key or a way to access the unit, or tell them they can contact you for emergency access. Keep a copy of your letter for your records.
If your landlord refuses to cooperate or retaliates — by raising rent, threatening eviction, or cutting off services — that is illegal in most states. Document the retaliation and contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization.
The legal way to handle a lost key or security concern
Contact your landlord and explain the situation. If you lost your key, ask them to rekey the locks at their cost (which is standard — they maintain the locks). If you have a security concern but no court documentation, explain what it is and ask for their permission to change the locks or add a secondary lock you will remove when you move out.
Many landlords will agree to rekey if the reason is reasonable. It costs them $75 to $150 per lock, which is far less than the legal cost of an eviction. If they refuse and you believe the refusal is unreasonable or retaliatory, contact your city or county housing authority or a local tenant rights organization. They can tell you whether your state's law gives you grounds to break the lease or force the landlord to act.
Adding a lock without replacing the original
Some tenants add a secondary lock — a chain, a deadbolt, or a door wedge — without removing the landlord's lock. This is usually permitted because you are not altering the property, just adding a temporary security device. However, check your lease first; some explicitly forbid any lock additions.
If you add a lock, make sure it does not prevent the landlord from accessing the unit in an emergency. A chain lock that can be cut or a removable deadbolt is safer legally than a permanent fixture that blocks entry entirely. When you move out, remove it completely and return the apartment to its original condition.
What to do if your landlord locks you out
If your landlord changes the locks or blocks your access without going through the eviction process, that is illegal — it is called a "self-help eviction" or "lockout." You have the right to regain access. Call the police non-emergency line and report that you are locked out of your home. They can order the landlord to let you in or escort you to retrieve your belongings.
You can also sue the landlord for damages, including the cost of a hotel, lost wages, and emotional distress. Contact a local legal aid organization or tenant rights group to discuss your options. Many offer free or low-cost consultations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my landlord change the locks without telling me?
No. Even if you owe rent or have broken the lease, the landlord must go through the eviction process, which includes a court hearing and a formal notice to vacate. Changing the locks without a court order is illegal and you can sue them for damages.
What if I have a roommate who is abusive?
If your roommate is on the lease, you cannot unilaterally change the locks because they have a legal right to access the unit. You will need to break the lease, move out, or go through the eviction process against them (which requires the landlord's involvement). If there is violence, contact the police and ask about a protective order; that may give you grounds to change locks with landlord approval.
Do I have to give my landlord a key to any new lock I add?
If you are adding a secondary lock with the landlord's permission, the lease or your agreement will specify whether they get a key. If you are changing locks due to a documented safety threat, you must give them a key or a way to access the unit in emergencies, or the change may still violate the lease.
Can I break my lease if my landlord refuses to rekey the locks?
It depends on your state and the reason. If you have a safety threat backed by a restraining order and the landlord refuses to help, you may have grounds to break the lease. If it is just a lost key, probably not — rekeying is a normal maintenance cost the landlord should cover. Contact your local housing authority or tenant rights organization to find out what your state allows.
What should I do before I move out if I added a lock?
Remove any lock you added and return the apartment to its original condition. If you added a permanent deadbolt or made any other alteration, the landlord can deduct the cost of removal and repair from your security deposit. Keep receipts for any locks you remove so you can prove you restored the unit.