sec.211Changing locks

### sec.211 Changing locks The lessor or tenant may change a lock at the premises only if— the other party to the residential tenancy agreement agrees to the change; or the lessor or tenant has a reasonable excuse for making the change; or the lessor or tenant believes the change is necessary because of an emergency; or the lock is changed to comply with an order of the tribunal. However, the tenant may also change a lock at the premises if the tenant— believes the change is necessary to protect the tenant or another occupant of the premises from domestic violence; and engages a locksmith or other qualified tradesperson to change the lock. If the lessor or tenant changes a lock, the lessor or tenant must give the other party to the residential tenancy agreement a key for the changed lock, unless— the other party agrees to not being given the key; or a tribunal orders that the key not be given to the other party. If the tenant changes a lock under subsection (2) and gives the lessor a key for the changed lock, the lessor must not give a key for the changed lock to any person other than the tenant without the tenant’s agreement or a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—50 penalty units. The right of the lessor or tenant to change a lock at the premises under this section is subject to a body corporate law or a body corporate by-law that applies to the premises. s 211 sub 2021 No. 19 s 16 amd 2024 No. 27 s 66 (sec.211-ssec.1) The lessor or tenant may change a lock at the premises only if— the other party to the residential tenancy agreement agrees to the change; or the lessor or tenant has a reasonable excuse for making the change; or the lessor or tenant believes the change is necessary because of an emergency; or the lock is changed to comply with an order of the tribunal. (sec.211-ssec.2) However, the tenant may also change a lock at the premises if the tenant— believes the change is necessary to protect the tenant or another occupant of the premises from domestic violence; and engages a locksmith or other qualified tradesperson to change the lock. (sec.211-ssec.3) If the lessor or tenant changes a lock, the lessor or tenant must give the other party to the residential tenancy agreement a key for the changed lock, unless— the other party agrees to not being given the key; or a tribunal orders that the key not be given to the other party. (sec.211-ssec.4) If the tenant changes a lock under subsection (2) and gives the lessor a key for the changed lock, the lessor must not give a key for the changed lock to any person other than the tenant without the tenant’s agreement or a reasonable excuse. Maximum penalty—50 penalty units. (sec.211-ssec.5) The right of the lessor or tenant to change a lock at the premises under this section is subject to a body corporate law or a body corporate by-law that applies to the premises. - (a) the other party to the residential tenancy agreement agrees to the change; or - (b) the lessor or tenant has a reasonable excuse for making the change; or - (c) the lessor or tenant believes the change is necessary because of an emergency; or - (d) the lock is changed to comply with an order of the tribunal. - (a) believes the change is necessary to protect the tenant or another occupant of the premises from domestic violence; and - (b) engages a locksmith or other qualified tradesperson to change the lock. - (a) the other party agrees to not being given the key; or - (b) a tribunal orders that the key not be given to the other party.