An estimated 36% of Australians believe that they are likely to be a victim of burglary within the next 12 months. If you live in a large apartment building, you may have concerns about the existence of master keys used by the building staff and contractors. Many people believe that a master key gives the owner the ability to open every door in a property. However, the reality of master keys is slightly more complicated. Many apartment buildings have a range of keys and master keys, which can open different sets of locks. Below is a guide to the various keys used in a typical apartment building.
Tenant's key
The tenant's key is the key you were issued with when you leased the apartment. It should give you access to the apartment you are renting and any communal areas such as storage space, garages and gardens. This key cannot be used to gain entry to any other apartment or restricted space, such as service areas. To protect yourself if you lose your keys, you should be careful not to attach the key to anything which lists your address.
Manager's key
The majority of apartment buildings have a building manager who is responsible for the day-to-day running of the building. The manager is issued with a master key, which allows him to gain entry to all areas of the building, including every apartment. However, the manager will only be able to use the master key to enter an apartment without your knowledge in extreme circumstances, such as when the emergency services require access or emergency repairs need to be carried out when you are not home. Whenever possible, the general manager should always seek your permission before using the master key to enter your apartment.
Contractor's key
Apartment buildings require regular maintenance, which is typically carried out by contractors such as electricians, domestic cleaners and plumbers. A contractors key will give them access to any public parts of the building they need access to complete their work. However, the contractor's key will not give them access to any private apartments. As listed above, if a contractor needs access to your apartment, they will first have to clear this with the general manager.
If you would like to find out more about the keys and locks in your apartment building, you should contact a professional locksmith service today. The staff will be happy to discuss your current set-up and can even offer replacement keys.
Share6 March 2017
Hi, my name is Max. I have been around the locksmith industry since I was a little kid, and as I got older, I begin investigating crime and hackers. In order to have the safest and most secure locks and safes, you need to know what criminals and hackers are doing. You need to know about the threats so you can identify the best ways to secure your home and office. In this blog, I plan to explore facts, news and cutting edge research about locks, keys and safes. I also plan to look at the dark side of things and discuss how criminals and hackers are currently getting past security. Ultimately, I hope this info helps lead you to the safest locks.
