Question: We own a holiday let managed by the onsite managers. All keys must be kept in their key safe and we must ask for access when we arrive. Why can’t we have our own set of keys?
We have an apartment in Noosa in a block of 25 units. The onsite managers manage the holiday let of our unit and we holiday in the lot every Christmas. The onsite managers have informed us that, in future, we will not have access to a set of keys to our own unit! All keys must be kept in their key safe and we need to ask for access when we arrive. They claim it is now legislation. Is this correct?
Answer: The manager’s approach is a sensible one for the protection of everyone concerned.
I don’t think it is as much legislation as it is good practice and contract.
The letting appointment with the owners may well give the manager the exclusive right to let and manage the unit. That inevitably includes control of access, which is the keys.
It also makes sense otherwise to only have one set of keys to prevent guests from being interrupted. From a guest’s perspective, imagine how unsafe you might feel knowing there are two sets of keys lurking around out there that could be used when you were not in the room? Also imagine the issues that might arise if the room was entered without the guest’s knowledge and things were stolen. If there were two sets of keys out there who carries that risk? If there is only one, it is the managers.
I think the manager’s approach is a sensible one for the protection of everyone concerned. The owners can get their keys – they just need to do it through the manager. I cant think of any other reason the owners would need keys if they don’t want to interrupt guests?
This post appears in the September 2022 edition of The QLD Strata Magazine.
Frank Higginson
Redchip Strata Law
E: FrankH@redchip.com.au
P: 07 3193 0500
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