Keys and Locks - Residential Buildings
This policy summarizes the procedures for installing, supplying, securing and maintaining keys and locks for apartments and residential buildings owned and managed by Columbia Residential. This policy does not apply to undergraduate residence halls and fraternity buildings. Residents in these buildings should refer to the student Guide to Living. Although procedures may vary from building to building, this policy outlines the requirements that are basic to every building and apartment. The policy is organized according to the phases of occupancy as follows: initial move-in, maintenance during occupancy, and vacancy.
Reason(s) for the Policy
This policy is in place to support cooperation between the University and residents in providing and maintaining a safe and secure housing environment. Keys and locks are the most critical component in providing University residents with a secure home. The policy outlines the University's responsibilities, as building owner and manager, to maintain a secure building and apartment. Residents and the University community are also informed of their responsibilities to support these efforts. The policy will also inform residents of possible charges they may incur for lost keys, lockouts, etc
Primary Guidance To Which This Policy Responds
This policy is guided by and complies with the New York State Multiple Dwelling Law and the New York City Housing Maintenance Code. It is also modeled after standard practice within the property management industry in New York.
Who is Governed by This Policy
Employees (and contractors) of Columbia Residential who are responsible for maintaining the safety and security of residential buildings and apartments are governed by this policy. This includes building superintendents, building staff, office staff, Directors for Residential Services, and project managers that work for Columbia Residential. In addition, residents living in University buildings and their guests are governed by this policy.
Who Should Know This Policy
Senior Executive Officers, Vice Presidents, Directors, Project Managers, Senior Administrative Officers, Leasing Administrators and staff, Building and Grounds Personnel, and contractors that manage, supervise, lease, or otherwise do work in University residential properties must know this policy. Residents living in University buildings and their guests should be familiar with this policy.
Exclusions and Special Situations
Security procedures and policies vary from building to building, and this policy is not designed to define these differences. Different types of keys are used in different buildings, for example. Also, in some buildings, door attendants or security guards provide security that is otherwise provided by a locking entrance door. This policy outlines common requirements that are basic to every building and apartment. Residents should contact their superintendent or Director for Residential Services with any questions.
This policy does not apply to undergraduate residence halls and fraternity buildings. Residents in these buildings should refer to the student Guide to Living for policies related to keys and locks in those buildings.
The administration and maintenance of locks and keys begins with the resident’s initial move-in to a building and apartment and ends when the resident vacates and surrenders keys.
Building Security
All entrances to a residential building have a door that can be securely locked. The main (front) entrance to a building is usually secured with a Medeco cylinder or cylinder of similar quality. There are some exceptions to this in buildings that have 24-hour door attendants or security guards.
Apartment entrance doors are likewise usually secured with a Medeco-type cylinder, and the locks for apartment entrance doors generally have a deadbolt for enhanced security. In units with rooms occupied by more than one resident (apartment shares), individual room doors are usually secured by a key-in-knob “Kwik-Set” type cylinder.
Key Distribution on Initial Move-In
After signing a housing agreement, new residents will receive an email with move-in and key pick-up instructions. New residents will meet the building superintendent or other building staff member at their scheduled move-in appointment time, and the staff member will provide keys to the new resident. New residents should be prepared to show photo identification to staff so that keys can be released.
A minimum of one (1) set of the following keys are given to each new resident: building entrance door, apartment door, and mailbox lock. In some buildings, where necessary, residents may also receive keys for elevator release, laundry, storage, and/or garbage collection areas; this will vary from building to building. Residents assigned to apartments for couples or families will be given two (2) sets of the required keys as long as they have completed applicable compliance procedures (students and postdoctoral fellows only).
For the safety and security of all residents and the building, most keys given to residents are restricted keys that cannot be easily duplicated without the University’s consent. Residents who would like additional keys must request them from the superintendent or their Director for Residential Services.
Maintenance During Occupancy
Generally, the superintendent will keep at least one apartment and room door key for each unit to be used for access during an emergency, to make necessary and authorized repairs, and for duplication in the event a key is lost. All stored keys are kept securely locked by the superintendent, generally in a locked key box, and cannot be accessed without the superintendent’s authorization.
Once keys are given to a resident, they are responsible for keeping them safe and secure. Any defects in an apartment door and/or building entrance door lock should be reported to the superintendent or Director for Residential Services. It is the University’s responsibility to maintain, repair and/or replace these locks and keys should they become defective. The cost to repair any intentional damage by a resident or their guests to locks and/or keys may be charged back to the resident. Residents must keep all building entrance and apartment doors securely locked at all times.
Lockouts and Lost or Stolen Keys
Lost keys should be reported to the building superintendent or Director for Residential Services immediately. New keys will be issued to residents in the case of lost keys reported during normal working hours. Depending on the circumstances of the loss, residents may be charged for the cost of the new keys and/or replacement of the lock(s), if required. Residents who misplace their keys and arrive at their building after normal working hours may be charged a lockout fee. This fee is based on the University’s cost of overtime to have the building superintendent respond to an after-hours lockout. In this circumstance, the resident will be asked to sign a lockout form acknowledging this charge. Residents should not pay this charge directly to building staff; the charge will be posted to their rent account.
The University may decide to replace locks at no charge to the resident if a key is stolen as a result of a theft or robbery.
Vacancy
Upon vacating an apartment, residents are required to return to the superintendent or building staff all keys that were issued to them. The surrender of keys is the confirmation of a resident’s vacancy and the date that the apartment vacated. If all keys are not returned on the vacate date, residents will be charged applicable fees.