What would you do: Would you give a discount, let him out or transfer his apt without any fees?

WWYD?
Resident was out of town. His partner isn’t on the lease. While the resident was out of town his partner got a locksmith to change his locks. We didn’t have a key and the resident couldn’t get in.... (we had to break the lock) the resident is now wanting a discount or let out of his lease because he doesn’t feel safe but couldn’t provide a police report slip when I asked him for one. Would you give a discount, let him out or transfer his apt without any fees?

Absolutely not. He has to deal with the situation HE put himself in.

No, because he granted access to his partner. I’d let him transfer but he needs to comply with your on site transfer policies. And id let him know you’re criminally trespassing his partner from the property so he’s no longer permitted on the premises.

He needs to file a police report so you have this as back up and at that point, I would allow him to transfer. I would not discount his rent for any reason as you did not do this to him. Sensitive issue but he needs to take it up with his partner and not the office. I would also charge him for any damage that was caused to the door but maybe after everything cools down. Good luck! Sorry this is happening!

Discount for what?

That is on him. He needs to file a police report and report his partner for breaking and entering. No to both. You weren’t the ones to change the lock.

Absolutely not

He is the one that gave him the key right?

No discount. No transfer or out of lease without police report and restraining order

Offer to re-key the lock and advise him to file some sort of police complaint against the partner.

I think there's a form where I am in oregon that is kind of like a "dont allow this person on the property" type form. I can't remember what its called. It allows the cops to be called if the person is seen on property.

Rachel Lynette Payton I believe it's called a No Trespassing.

No way. His issue.

If he provided a police report I would transfer him.

Its covered as a domestic violence issue. What is your policy for those

Aaron Potier and charge him a transfer fee

Aaron Potier curious how it is covered under domestic violence?

Megan Fleming I'm curious as well since no violence occurred with a lockout.

That's his problem, he let the person in and left them there while he was gone!! Has nothing to do with management!!!

Nope. He granted access to someone and didn’t abide by occupancy policy. His problem.

Sounds like he had an illegal occupant

if he can’t provide a police report then you shouldn’t be waiving any fees for any reason
police report = fees waived
no police report = pay up.

Big hard nope! But as a consolation prize, he could get a 3 day.

No. Even obtaining a police report wouldn’t change this either.

Depends do you let others out of their leases for domestic issues?

This might fall under the VAWA act. (Violence against women) I know he's a man but they are protected too. Put this on him though. Give him the paperwork to fill out along with the proper letter that shows you took the proper steps. He fills out the paperwork with a description and supporting documents. Corporate with approve/deny. They will most likely approve or consult legal counsel. Then you have to either transfer him or allow him to break the lease without penalty. Proper paperwork should be found online or corporate should have it.

Lisa Lewis but there was no violence in this instance with the lock change. It’s a civil matter. Huge difference

It's potential stalking which falls under the VAWA act. He doesn't feel safe so that is the key word used by the resident. Better safe than sorry. If this resident knows their rights, this manager could be in trouble.

Lisa Lewis VAWA does not apply to all communities, specifically market rate.

We are not legal experts, and it should not be our role at all to suggest that it might fall under something. If he comes to you of his own accord suggesting that this might apply with associated paperwork completed and filed, then you might need to talk to your company or legal about how that may change the situation, but we really shouldn't be making this kind of assumption or suggestion. As far as the information provided by the OG, this is a civil matter that the property has nothing to do with, and he should probably consider speaking to an attorney if he has concerns about his partner.

NOPE! The question I always ask myself is ~~ would I be willing to do this from EVERYONE else in the community in the same circumstances.

Transfer with all associated fees. His situation, as unfortunate as it is, is not a liability that is tied to landlord responsibility without a judicial action such as a restraining order or evidence of domestic violence/ stalking. The landlord has no liability in the matter until those benchmarks are met.

The partner should not have changed the locks. That resident should change their partner if they're gonna change the locks while they're out of town. Our company would say a big fat NO no no no ...NOPE

No. The locksmith took on the liability when he changed the locks. You have no responsibility to “correct a wrong” that you had no part of, considering this is a civil matter between the 2 persons and frankly, the locksmith.

None of the above! He gave his keys out, he gave that person full access.... tell him he’s more than welcome to transfer and this will be your costs, break lease and this will be your cost, or stay and this will be your cost for my team to get you into your apartment plus changing the locks. A, B, C, which do you choose?

Nope...our lease says that you are responsible for your guests & its states that you have to get authorization for altercations including changing locks. I would charge him for the locks (labor & materials) & send a lease violation for unauthorized alteration (lock change).

His own partner changed the locks on him. To me this is a lock change and we could be charging HIM if we did the lock change for him

Nope. He’s liable for everything. He now owes you money for a lock change and without evidence of being victimized ( restraining order/police report) you don’t need to do anything

Check your local laws with your attorney ???? ask them about the situation.
A lot of people are saying “no” but there’s protections where I live for domestic violence victims that mandate they can move out with a 14 day notice and no penalties

Cameron Wheeler did I miss the part where they said it was a domestic violence situation?? I just understood some locks were changed without the lease holder’s permission. First of all- how would the significant other be able to change the locks without showing any identification that they lived at that address?? Something isn’t adding up here... I’m willing to bet that the person who was out of town allowed their significant other access to the home at some point but then things went bad, and now they want out of the lease??

Jennifer Bessette- Cordoba Oh idk what an attorney would consider domestic violence that’s just what I would say to get out of MY lease

Cameron Wheeler after reading some comments it does sound like he has an unauthorized occupant that he allowed in and they changed the locks on him! So no lease break allowed, kick out unauthorized occupant, charge for the lock change. That’s just poor judgement on his end giving his key to someone unstable. Transfer maybe, but not be allowed out of the lease - at least without penalty. Full charges here.

I’d ask what communication you have in writing from the resident and would ask if said communication was followed up with a call confirming certain aspects of the application ie ss#, previous address; emergency contact, (to ensure it was truly the resident you were speaking with)
These things on top of the fact that you most probably know your residents voice should provide the sound decision not to give any allowances