How do you apartment dwellers get keys copied?

[Policy Wonk]

My brother spends alot of time in Edmonton and keeps a small apartment there. Unfortunately his walking stereotype landlord that seems to have jumped out of a 1970's New York based sitcom is refusing to give him additional keys for his suite.

Since he usually isn't there he offered it to one of his friends taking a course in Edmonton for a few weeks, which would make additional keys helpful.

Naturally these keys have "Do Not Copy" punched into them, the kid at Canadian Tire had no reservations about copying the key - but didn't have an appropriate blank - neither did Wal-Mart.

So they seem to be non-standard keys, I called a locksmith but he said it was against the law to copy the key (right...)

Anyone confront this issue before?

[vid]

Is there no law requiring additional keys be provided to tenants in Alberta? I'm pretty sure Ontario has one, every apartment I have ever had has come with two keys for everything that needs a key.

[mersar]

Yeah, usually they use blanks that only a handful of the private locksmiths have access to. I know one office I did some work in had to get their keys cut by a specific locksmith located in Bridgeland, as no other locksmith in the city carried the blanks. That and they needed to give the locksmith the pass phrase that the locksmith had on file for them to actually make the copy. That said, I'd imagine there must be a rule about providing at least one duplicate key.

[KrisYYC]

I was given two keys for my apartment, however they upgraded the lobby entrance to those electronic HD card things and only gave me one card. If I want another card I have to pay a $300

Pfff.

[feepa]

$300 bucks is absurd those cards can't cost more then 10 bucks....

[oiler-dude]

Originally Posted by KrisYYC

I was given two keys for my apartment, however they upgraded the lobby entrance to those electronic HD card things and only gave me one card. If I want another card I have to pay a $300

Pfff.

Is it non-refundable? Or is it a $300 deposit, that you'll get back?

Either way, a ridiculous amount...

[Distill3d]

when i couldn't get keys cut by WalMart or Canadian Tire, i just lied to a locksmith and told him i was the resident manager. he was like "oh, okay, sorry dude." and cut my keys for me. usually, they won't question it if you say you're the building owner or you're the resident manager.

[WhipperSnapper]

Yeah, usually they use blanks that only a handful of the private locksmiths have access to.

Never had that problem however, it's been 8 years since I've rented.

[Skeletor]

Lying to the locksmith while being assertive and appearing confident will probably work. You'd be suprised how many 'doors' that technique will open, pardon the pun.

[freeweed]

When I lived in an apartment I always knew someone who worked at Wal-Mart or Woolco or some similar large retail place. Came in handy a few times.

Kind of odd to think about it - it's like my circle of friends all moved on from low-end retail at the same time I moved on from renting. Birds of a feather...

I also know no one who works at Burger King anymore, and that's the only way to get their food any good.

[Distill3d]

^funny how that works, in you're early 20s you spend most of your time getting to know people who's profession starts with the letter "B" (bartenders, bouncers, burger flippers...), as you get older you start to learn that there are 25 letters of the alphabet.

[mersar]

Which letter did you not learn?

[s211]

Nice to see that lying and deceit are dished out with such fervour here.

[shogged]

Originally Posted by freeweed

I also know no one who works at Burger King anymore, and that's the only way to get their food any good.

I know the feeling! I frequent edo japan, and got to know a few of the guys there. It got to the point where they would make my food completely off menu and recipe, and it was ohhh so good. All mixed together with ginger, hot sauce, few other things. They've all since moved on though =(

[Distill3d]

Originally Posted by mersar

Which letter did you not learn?

well, i seem to be stuck on the letter R lately. everyone i seem to meet now is a....well i won't finish that statement.

[bulliver]

Interesting. Two guys I work with have mentioned seperately that although there are two names on the lease (them and their SO) they were only provided with one key. That seems rediculous to me. Two names on the lease should = 2 keys, right?

[korzym]

Have you ever thought of doing an internet search for this contraband? I would say that pursuit has more potential to be fruitfull

[Policy Wonk]

Contraband?

An internet search only brought up various locksmiths who refused, I hoped asking here would yield something along the lines of "oh yeah, Lock Smith Joe on 34th ave will copy anything"

He tried again with his landlord who again refused and became abusive, so my brother told him to fuck off and to enjoy his 9th empty unit.

[frinkprof]

I understand the problems with allowing people to copy keys, as I'm sure other people can as well. However, you would think there would be a better way to get a key for your significant other/out of town visitor staying a week/etc. than doing ridiculous things like paying $300 or being outright refused by a control-freak landlord.

I knew a group of 7 students that lived in a small 2 bedroom apartment in Brentwood a few years back. It sucks that situations like that are what causes grief for the rest of us.

[Policy Wonk]

I guess what rubs me the wrong way is my brother is a mature, clean cut, university educated professional who happens to spend alot of time in Edmonton and he is being treated like a rig pig who cooks meth in his spare time.