New South Wales Consolidated Acts

RESIDENTIAL TENANCIES ACT 1987 - SECT 29

29 Locks and other security devices

(1) It is a term of every residential tenancy agreement that:

(a) the landlord shall provide and maintain such locks or other security devices as are necessary to ensure that the residential premises are reasonably secure,

(b) neither the landlord nor the tenant shall, except with reasonable excuse or the consent of the other party, alter, remove or add or cause or permit the alteration, removal or addition of any lock or other security device, and

(c) a copy of the key or any other opening device or information required to open a lock or other security device which is altered, removed or added shall be given to the other party, except where the other party consents to not being given a copy or the Tribunal authorises a copy not to be given.

(2) A landlord or a tenant under a residential tenancy agreement shall not, except with reasonable excuse or the consent of the other party, alter, remove or add or cause or permit the alteration, removal or addition of any lock or other security device of the residential premises.

(3) It is a reasonable excuse that a lock or other security device was altered, removed or added:

(a) in an emergency, or

(b) in accordance with an order of the Tribunal,

but this does not limit the meaning of reasonable excuse.

(4) If a lock or other security device is altered, removed or added by the landlord or the tenant without the consent of the other party, it shall be presumed, in the absence of evidence to the contrary, that it was altered, removed or added by the landlord or the tenant without reasonable excuse.

(5) The Tribunal may, on application by a landlord or a tenant under a residential tenancy agreement:

(a) make an order authorising the landlord or the tenant to alter, remove or add any lock or other security device,

(b) make an order authorising the landlord or the tenant to refuse to give to the other party a copy of a key or any other opening device or information, or

(c) make an order requiring a copy of a key or any other opening device or information to be given to the landlord or the tenant,

if it is satisfied that it is reasonable in the circumstances to do so.