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My family have owned a Sydney Strata unit for over 50 years, 7 of which has had tenants.
In all of that time, they have never needed to go through Strata to have a new key made up for the front door of the unit.
Strata is saying that we need to go through them, for authority to deal with the locksmith and also pay them an admin fee . This sounds like a rort
Whose responsibility is that lock/key ?
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The door is common property and so is the lock. That doesn’t mean that the OC has a key to it nor that the OC regulates keys. I tend to agree with the word “rort”.
The front door key is the primary level of security for the building and protection of occupants’ property. You certainly don’t want anyone being able to make and distribute copies at random.
If the OP has been able to get copies made, there is a serious lack of security. Respectable locksmiths will not copy security keys without authority from the OC which owns them. The OC/SM should have some records of who has keys.
A few years ago in our block, we experienced a number of thefts from cars and storage cages. We put it down to a departing tenant keeping one of the keys, and coming back to help themselves. We had to fit new locks and have new keys made and issued. The thefts then stopped.
Why on earth would you allow the OC or their management company to have a copy of the unit key?
As noted above, this has rort writ large. The management companies facilitating these rorts need to be removed ASAP. I would also wonder what type of security they have for storage and dissemination of keys.
The front door key is the primary level of security for the building and protection of occupants’ property.
I think the OP was referring to the front door of their unit, rather than their block. In the latter case, your observations are totally valid. Electronic is the way to go – that way you can cancel keys when residents leave and do an annual audit to make sure there aren’t too many spares floating around.
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
The front door key is the primary level of security for the building and protection of occupants’ property.
I think the OP was referring to the front door of their unit, rather than their block. In the latter case, your observations are totally valid. Electronic is the way to go – that way you can cancel keys when residents leave and do an annual audit to make sure there aren’t too many spares floating around.
Electronic locks on apartment doors need to be suitable for the type of fire door you have installed, your fire company will need to see the lock has been fire tested so as not to have you fail your AFSS.
I can recommend chris@electroniclocksaustralia.com.au if you are seeking advise for what electronic locks are suitable for your type of fire door.
Any other recommendations? The door is open!
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
Any other recommendations? The door is open!
The opinions offered in these Forum posts and replies are not intended to be taken as legal advice. Readers with serious issues should consult experienced strata lawyers.
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