Thread: cylinder locks, and giving tenants a lock?

None of my compeitors use cylinder locks... and I was speaking to an owner out of town that ows about 1500 units and they use trachte buildings and give the tenant a cylinder lock to use... they give the tenant 2 keys and keep 1... They did say Jeff greenberger was against this practice but they havent had a breakin in 14 years.

now my question is: is this something as a new facility owner i should look into?

Giving the tenants a lock i feel would help my marketing, and it would be easy to overlock if i had to.

does anyone else do this?

Also would i even need to overlock a unit ever because if a customer is late or hasnt paid my security gate will not let them in...

Or do you thinks its best to give the customer a less expensive cylinder lock?


I have 94 units Phase 1, unmanned facility with sitelink, kiosk and secuirty fensing.

First of all - and just about EVERY legal begal out there will agree - it's a bad idea to keep keys to tenants units as it can lead to problems.

Second - it's best to overlock units (following all Lien laws in your state) as tenants are sneaky and will either tailgate in or, if they have a friend or relative storing with you, they will come in with them and access their unit.

We do not use cylinder locks - don't think they had them 25 years ago when this place was built. We do give a free lock at move in - just your standard steel padlock, or they can upgrade to a disc lock.

Hope this helps, and good luck with your new facility.

I really like the cylinder locks.

We definetly promote them in our marketing and for the security minded tenant they love them.

We never keep a key (unless certain hold harmless documents are signed) and we always sell them a new lock in original unopened packaging. There's lots of legal precedence that show why this could haunt you later.

Drilling them out can be unpleasant but there are tricks to that and that's security for your tenant.

Some cylinder locks can be overlocked with a red key and there are also some new technology products that communicate with your management software and security software to automatically overlock a unit and prevent it from being opened without you having to lift a finger.

I agree with Madman. I have used the cylinder locks for years and just love them. Initially, I used the cylinder locks that had a grand master key. I have a friend who has been in the business for many years who made me a new master by taking a cylinder lock apart. I realized that the need to have a grand master was unwarranted. If the master were to fall into the wrong hands, well, you get the point.

I buy my cylinder locks from Chateau and do not have a duplicate key. Madman is also right in that they are harder to drill out, but not impossible. I charge a $20 administrative key and include the cylinder lock upon rental. I have never had a cylinder lock compromised as the typical, PWT thief would not take the time to drill them.

I have cylinder locks and really like them. Great deterrent for theives. We don't keep keys, though.

I still overlock them. The gate is easier to get onto than the lock.

We use cylinder locks, it is a great marketing tool, we are not fenced and have never had a break in, people from surrounding towns come to us because they feel safe. The bad part is, we do not stay on site, or have normal open hours, so you have to be there to give them a lock and actually go out and show them how it works, yes some people can't figure it out on there own. Also if there is any issue with the lock guess who gets to go take care of it, they are a pain to drill out, we charge $20 if they loose there keys and have to drill out there lock. had to do that twice this last weekend.
Over all we love having this type locking system, secure and easy to overlock.
We are adding more buildings in a few months and will use the same system.
I have had some issues with my last order of locks from chatue, so far I've had to drill out 5 of the 10 that I bought, there only solution was they would give me a few extra locks on my next order. That doesn't help if the locks are bad and I have unhappy people because they can't get in there units. got to order some soon but looking for a better supplier.
As far as keeping a key, I agree with everyone else, not a good idea, opens you up to some major issues of libility.

Just chiming in since we also use cylinder locks from Chateau. We use the ones without a master key and give the client all 3 keys. The spiel is "this is your lock and these are the only 3 keys......"
I don't find them hard to remove. With the right bit and a steady hand it takes all of 8 seconds, UNLESS you miss the "SPOT" and then it can be hours!!!!! if they expand into the hole.
I wish there was an easier way to get them open.

Originally Posted by dennybeall

Just chiming in since we also use cylinder locks from Chateau. We use the ones without a master key and give the client all 3 keys. The spiel is "this is your lock and these are the only 3 keys......"
I don't find them hard to remove. With the right bit and a steady hand it takes all of 8 seconds, UNLESS you miss the "SPOT" and then it can be hours!!!!! if they expand into the hole.
I wish there was an easier way to get them open.

I know that Jeffrey Greenberger is against keeping keys. That attitude is well established in self storage. Years ago, we used to keep a copy of the key as well and this is a fairly common practice in New York and New Jersey. In order to alleviate the key custody question, we took the facility copies of keys, placed them in a small coin envelope, had the tenant sign across the back of the envelope and took them to the bank and put them in a safe deposit box. If we need the key, we signed the access card, opened the safe deposit box and remove the key. This practice was a hassle as many tenants just forget or lose their keys. We also decided to abandon the practice and just told the customer to place the third key in a safe place at home.

I know that some insurance carriers DO NOT want to insure you if you accept the keys to spaces.

Is a cylinder lock the same as a disc? I sell discs, and I NEVER keep a key! I don't need, or want access to their stuff! I do gift locks now and then as a selling point, or extra incentive.

Originally Posted by VeronikkaMarrz

Is a cylinder lock the same as a disc? I sell discs, and I NEVER keep a key! I don't need, or want access to their stuff! I do gift locks now and then as a selling point, or extra incentive.

No, VM, cylinder locks are different from disc locks. A cylinder lock is round and fits into a round hole on your units door--here's a link:

http://www.amazon.com/CRL-Cylinder-L.../dp/B000KZX0ZW