(1) Conclusion: Tenants can‘t Make Spare Keys for Rental Properties?
In short, if you obtain the consent of the landlord or property management company, you can make spare keys. Typically, you confirm the number of keys provided before signing the lease, and if spare keys are required, you pay for them along with the security deposit.

 
(2) Will You Get Caught If You Make Spare Keys for Rental Properties Without Permission?
Depending on the type of key, it's unlikely you'll get caught during your lease period if you manage to make spare keys. However, discrepancies in key numbers upon returning the keys at the end of the lease or if keys are returned with different numbers may reveal that spare keys were made without permission. In such cases, the cost of cylinder replacement may be deducted from the tenant's deposit during checkout. Additionally, if the key type does not allow spare key duplication, the landlord may discover unauthorized key duplication through inquiries to the manufacturer.

There are two main cases for requesting key replacement in rental properties:

To enhance security, replacing the entire cylinder with a new one at the time of contract.
During the lease period, if keys are lost, necessitating cylinder replacement.
Let's examine the costs for each:

Pin Cylinder Lock	Disc Cylinder Lock	Wave Cylinder Lock	Dimple Cylinder Lock
Around 15,000 yen	Around 15,000 yen	Around 30,000 yen	Around 30,000 yen

(1) Reason for Making Spare Keys
As mentioned earlier, making spare keys without the landlord's consent is prohibited. Always obtain consent from the landlord or management company when you want to make spare keys. When asked why you need spare keys, saying "I want to give a key to my partner, so please make a spare key!" might lead the landlord to think, "Are you planning to live together?" Similar concerns may arise if you want to give a key to a friend; it might raise questions about whether you intend to share the space.

The reason for needing spare keys is crucial. For example, if a family of four is living in a unit with only three keys, it's generally not an issue to have spare keys made, and the landlord should agree. Similarly, requests from college students living alone who want their parents to keep a spare key are common and usually approved by the landlord.

 
(2) If Even One Key Is Lost, Cylinder Replacement Is Necessary
In rental properties, if even one key is lost, the tenant is typically charged for key replacement. This is because of the risk of unauthorized entry with a lost key. In such cases, the costs explained in "4. Cost of Key Replacement (Cylinder Replacement) in Rentals" apply. If spare keys have been made, be aware that the risk of losing keys increases with the number of keys, so keep this in mind.

 
(3) All Keys Must Be Returned Upon Moving Out
When the lease term ends and you're returning the unit, all keys that were in use must be returned to the landlord. If spare keys were made, all of them must be returned without exception.

Even if you made spare keys without permission, ensure that all keys are returned. You may be charged for cylinder replacement, but there's no way around it.

That concludes our article on "Is It Okay to Make Spare Keys for Rentals by myself ? Will I Get Caught If I Do It Without Permission?"

Depending on the situation, spare keys in rental properties may reduce the overall security of the building. If you need spare keys, always consult with the landlord or management company and have them made with their approval.

When searching for rental properties along the Tokyu Line, please feel free to contact BALLEGGS CO.,ltd.！ With experienced staff on hand, we'll provide thorough assistance for all your inquiries.

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