10/08/2026
A tenant texts: "The lobby door won't lock." Is that just another maintenance complaint?
In California, it's notice. Under Civil Code Β§1941.3, a landlord can be liable for a lock violation if it isn't fixed within a reasonable time after notice, and that clock starts with the tenant's report, not the work order.
We treat broken entry and lobby locks as emergencies, with a vendor sent the same day. This week's tip covers how to sort lock reports and five steps to take when one comes in.