Bryan Tx - Landlord Says They Will Be Changing My Locks And Charging Me Because They Do Not Have A Copy

Location: Bryan, TX

Around December of last year, I put my intent to not renew my lease (which doesn’t expire until July of this year) since the leasing company was putting pressure on making a decision by a certain date, if no decision was made by December, our rent would be increasing by hundreds of dollars if we decide to renew later on.

The management company started scheduling showings of the home, which I know if typical. After the last viewing in January, the manager reached out for a copy of the key. I was confused so I asked for a reason since I thought the maintenance people had one (there wasn’t an issue in the past and my parents have lived there since 2020). I also included that I’m intending to provide our copies during move out (I live out of town due to college). I never heard back.

Yesterday I received another text about the keys. Asking for us to drop it off. I didn’t realize the text (due to exam prep) until they sent me another text today. They stated that if we don’t bring the key by 5 pm today, they would rekey the apartment at our expense because we didn’t respond.

I responded that I didn’t have a definite time or date to drop it off because I live out of town, and my parents have been struggling with transportation (their car broke down and wouldn’t turn on). Their office is pretty far from where they live as well. The lady wasn’t sure what happened with their key or why they didn’t have one. She said we can make a copy and leave it in front of the door, but that went back to the main issue with the lack of transportation my parents have at this time. The nearest stores are a few miles out and my parents are seniors. I also showed her my response from January because she said my lack of response is what “makes it appropriate to charge [me]”. She got upset after I sent her a screenshot and said if we do not provide a copy by tomorrow, they will rekey the property and they’d have to go to the office to pick up the key. I feel like after expressing this concern, they would be locked out as a form of retaliation as I’ve expressed they can’t go to the office due to no transportation.

I don’t think we’re responsible for the rekeying since it’s not a tenant caused reason and also mainly afraid of my parents not having access. They’ve paid their rent and have always been in good standing.