My gf and I just rented a two-bedroom in Crystal City. After I signed the lease, the office manager handed me ONE key to our apartment and ONE access pass to the building. When I asked for a second key and building pass the office manager said, "You're the only person on the lease. We only issue keys and passes to people on the lease."

So, I asked to have my gf put on the lease and the office manager said, "Sure...that's another $100 a month." I said no thanks and left to unpack my stuff.

A few days later, I went to a locksmith to have a duplicate key made and the guy working at the counter said, "I'm sorry, sir...there's a stamp on here forbidding me from duplicating this key." Sure enough, he was right. So, I offered him $50 cash on the spot and he said he couldn't take any money and he had to respect the stamp's instructions or it could cost him his job. When I asked him how anyone would know...he pointed to the shop's security cams.

So, the building's front door has a buzzer system. This has been routed to my cell phone so, when visitor's arrive, they call me on the intercom and I can buzz them in from anywhere in the world provided I'm getting cell phone service. This is an inconvenience but, I can live with it...

The bigger issue is the apartment unit key. Does anybody know where I can get this duplicated? Would it help if some tape or other obstruction just "fell" on the key's "Do-Not-Duplicate" stamp or do guys that duplicate keys look for that, too?

I'd really like to just walk away from the building at this point and live somewhere else but, of course I signed the lease before inquiring about their key policies. Lesson learned there...Fortunately, this policy seems to have kept out all of the brown, savage, illegal mud-persons who like to live 15 people in a studio apartment. But, perhaps that has more to do with the zipcode and the rent then their key policies...I dunno'...

Dude, go to management and say you lost the key. They'll fine you like 50ish probably and then you'll have two keys. End of story.

New.Guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> My gf and I just rented a two-bedroom in Crystal
> City. After I signed the lease, the office manager
> handed me ONE key to our apartment and ONE access
> pass to the building. When I asked for a second
> key and building pass the office manager said,
> "You're the only person on the lease. We only
> issue keys and passes to people on the lease."
>
> So, I asked to have my gf put on the lease and the
> office manager said, "Sure...that's another $100 a
> month." I said no thanks and left to unpack my
> stuff.
>
> A few days later, I went to a locksmith to have a
> duplicate key made and the guy working at the
> counter said, "I'm sorry, sir...there's a stamp on
> here forbidding me from duplicating this key."
> Sure enough, he was right. So, I offered him $50
> cash on the spot and he said he couldn't take any
> money and he had to respect the stamp's
> instructions or it could cost him his job. When I
> asked him how anyone would know...he pointed to
> the shop's security cams.
>
> So, the building's front door has a buzzer system.
> This has been routed to my cell phone so, when
> visitor's arrive, they call me on the intercom and
> I can buzz them in from anywhere in the world
> provided I'm getting cell phone service. This is
> an inconvenience but, I can live with it...
>
> The bigger issue is the apartment unit key. Does
> anybody know where I can get this duplicated?
> Would it help if some tape or other obstruction
> just "fell" on the key's "Do-Not-Duplicate" stamp
> or do guys that duplicate keys look for that,
> too?
>
> I'd really like to just walk away from the
> building at this point and live somewhere else
> but, of course I signed the lease before inquiring
> about their key policies. Lesson learned
> there...Fortunately, this policy seems to have
> kept out all of the brown, savage, illegal
> mud-persons who like to live 15 people in a studio
> apartment. But, perhaps that has more to do with
> the zipcode and the rent then their key
> policies...I dunno'...

Wow they're lucky they have such a fine, upstanding young gentleman like yourself living there. First off, you're fucking cheap. Second off, you're dishonest. Third off, you're trying to bribe people to be dishonest, which is shady ass behavior and possibly illegal. What a sack of shit.

Maybe you should try to get something besides Section 8 housing.

This is a common practice with responsible landlords to try to avoid a hoard or freeloaders moving into their properties.

Or you say you lost the key, they will replace the lock and give you 1 key again. Just a thought.

You could try a self-service key duplication machine, I think they have them at Lowes.

Or look up on YouTube how to make your own with aluminum cans, it isn't that hard to do if you have any skills.

I own a property management company. We have over 65 properties. The reason they only give you one key is because you are the only ADULT listed on the lease. It is common practice that ALL ADULTS must be listed on the lease. Now, I don't know about the $100 extra per adult. But, if that's the apartment's policy that's what it is.

Instead of blaming the apartment complex you should have done your homework and realized how many keys you were going to receive. All our leases require all adults to be listed. It's for legal and liability reasons.

Only poor people and illegals live in apartments

Get a better job.

Hey, how about respecting your contract, and abiding by the law.

This thread is just a bucket of dumb.

"My gf and I just rented a two-bedroom in Crystal City."

Wrong. YOU just rented the place. You signed the lease. Beyond that, the rental application undoubtedly asked who would be living in the unit. I bet you 'forgot' to mention that your girlfriend would be moving in. Either that or you just didn't think it was important. Well, it is important. You'd be the first to bitch to management if "all of the savage, illegal mud-persons who like to live 15 people in a studio apartment" moved in without permission. BTW, you're a reprehensible pig for that statement alone. But it gets better...

The landlord is perfectly within his rights to require a surcharge for an additional tenant in the apartment. More wear and tear. Since you declined this option, you have now notified the landlord that you plan to violate your lease. Brilliant.

Then you have no qualms about potentially jeapordizing someone else's livelihood by making an unauthorized key. And you insult the poor schmuck with a bribe. So your solution is to obscure the "do not duplicate" warning, hoping that another poor scmuck will inadvertently be complicit in your deception. Of course, if push came to shove, you'd just blame him.

"> I'd really like to just walk away from the
> building at this point and live somewhere else
> but, of course I signed the lease before inquiring
> about their key policies. Lesson learned there..."

You didn't learn a damn thing. IT'S NOT ABOUT THE KEYS. And do you think your landlord just fell off the turnip truck? He runs into clowns like you every day. Ask me how I know. And I'd love to see you try to 'just walk away from the building'. You are responsible for a year's worth of rent. Whether you choose to live there or not is immaterial.

If I was your landlord, I would make an impromptu inspection of your apartment (which the lease almost undoubtedly allows the landlord to do with a day's notice). If I saw any evidence of your girlfriend, I'd immediately slap you with that additional monthly fee. And you have no right to protest or to move out without penalty.

You clearly think you are cute and that those pesky rules that everyone else lives by don't apply to you. In reality, you're just an entitled, arrogant turd. And you're fucked if your landlord looks into this.

^^^ I love you.

1) Try a lock shop where you deal with the owner, not an employee.

2) Try someplace like Brown's Hardware, an old school hardware where they cut keys on the side.

3) Yes, fill in the stamp with something, or put one of those plastic things over the head of the key.

4) Find some lock hacker type, they do exist, and they have their own key cutting machines. They also know where to order the blank keys.

I just put electrical tape around it, and never got questioned.

I'll reply for this guy -

He wants you to suck his dick - this here is a BRO who doesn't give 2 flying craps about the rules. As a landlord, have you NEVER used your leverage against a renter for your own good? (You have even though you'll say you haven't).

He's avoiding a key charge, not robbing a bank. The shit that shady landlords have tried to pull on me in the past makes me more than willing to do what this fucking bro is doing.

He knows damn well that his landlord will never find out about his comment because the office manager is LAZY. This bro will get a second key and he will probably barf in the sink and bang his girlfriend in the apartment he's getting cheaper than he should.

New.Guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Fortunately, this policy seems to have
> kept out all of the brown, savage, illegal
> mud-persons who like to live 15 people in a studio
> apartment. But, perhaps that has more to do with
> the zipcode and the rent then their key
> policies...I dunno'...


Unfortunately, they have trash like you to deal with instead...

Dude seriously, ignore the flames here and head to Walmart. I don't know about where you live but at mine in Woodbridge there is a "Minute Key" kiosk machine at the exit door that makes keys with no human involvement. Issue solved.

http://www.minutekey.com/

I wonder how many apartment building complexes are located in Crystal Shitty? The whole city is less than two square miles.

You're an asshole but you know it and you clearly don't care.

It's a guarantee that your landlord will abuse their power to squeeze more cash from you eventually, so get the key copied. I too have a sour taste in my mouth from Arlington area landlords. I've dealt with late security deposit returns, unfulfilled repair requests, landlords showing up unannounced, etc., to the point where I'd feel no qualms about avoiding one of their one-off charges.

Nobody becomes a landlord by following all the bullshit rules in life so the high and mighty hypocrite landlord who posted above can step aside.

A Landlord Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> If I was your landlord, I would make an impromptu
> inspection of your apartment (which the lease
> almost undoubtedly allows the landlord to do with
> a day's notice). If I saw any evidence of your
> girlfriend, I'd immediately slap you with that
> additional monthly fee. And you have no right to
> protest or to move out without penalty.

No you wouldn't. As clever as this guy is by dodging the key charge, he'd probably move his girlfriend's stuff to his car when you notified him of an "impromptu visit". Then you'd just be wasting your time and look like the dickhead landlord in the process.

Its not breaking the rules, duplicating a patented key is a violation of a federal law.

for the merchant who copies it or the tenant who wants it copied that can claim they didn't know?

Pretty sure the feds have bigger fish to fry.

FYI guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Its not breaking the rules, duplicating a patented
> key is a violation of a federal law.

Show us the exact law.

Unauthorized key duplication remains as the single most violated security policy in today’s business. Those seeking to have a key copied usually meet with little or no resistance. In fact, nearly all keys can and will be duplicated with no questions asked. The stamping of “do not duplicate” presents a challenge to most key cutters instead of a threat. It has been estimated that unauthorized key duplications accounts for as much as 40% of unexplained illegal entries resulting in billions of dollars in losses to businesses each year. Here are some common misconceptions about cutting rights and “restricted keys.”

FICTION: Keys stamped “do not duplicate” are protected by law.

FACT: Many keys are stamped “do not duplicate” as a request to their holder. There is no legal connotation or consequence.

FICTION: Companies offering “restricted keys” mean that locksmiths or key cutters are not allowed to duplicate them.

FACT: Most companies offer “restricted” keys. However, this term refers to that company’s distribution policy on the key, and has nothing to do with duplication rights. Most restricted keys are easily duplicated.

thisisajokeright Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> New.Guy Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
> > My gf and I just rented a two-bedroom in
> Crystal
> > City. After I signed the lease, the office
> manager
> > handed me ONE key to our apartment and ONE
> access
> > pass to the building. When I asked for a second
> > key and building pass the office manager said,
> > "You're the only person on the lease. We only
> > issue keys and passes to people on the lease."
> >
> > So, I asked to have my gf put on the lease and
> the
> > office manager said, "Sure...that's another $100
> a
> > month." I said no thanks and left to unpack my
> > stuff.
> >
> > A few days later, I went to a locksmith to have
> a
> > duplicate key made and the guy working at the
> > counter said, "I'm sorry, sir...there's a stamp
> on
> > here forbidding me from duplicating this key."
> > Sure enough, he was right. So, I offered him
> $50
> > cash on the spot and he said he couldn't take
> any
> > money and he had to respect the stamp's
> > instructions or it could cost him his job. When
> I
> > asked him how anyone would know...he pointed to
> > the shop's security cams.
> >
> > So, the building's front door has a buzzer
> system.
> > This has been routed to my cell phone so, when
> > visitor's arrive, they call me on the intercom
> and
> > I can buzz them in from anywhere in the world
> > provided I'm getting cell phone service. This
> is
> > an inconvenience but, I can live with it...
> >
> > The bigger issue is the apartment unit key.
> Does
> > anybody know where I can get this duplicated?
> > Would it help if some tape or other obstruction
> > just "fell" on the key's "Do-Not-Duplicate"
> stamp
> > or do guys that duplicate keys look for that,
> > too?
> >
> > I'd really like to just walk away from the
> > building at this point and live somewhere else
> > but, of course I signed the lease before
> inquiring
> > about their key policies. Lesson learned
> > there...Fortunately, this policy seems to have
> > kept out all of the brown, savage, illegal
> > mud-persons who like to live 15 people in a
> studio
> > apartment. But, perhaps that has more to do
> with
> > the zipcode and the rent then their key
> > policies...I dunno'...
>
> Wow they're lucky they have such a fine,
> upstanding young gentleman like yourself living
> there. First off, you're fucking cheap. Second
> off, you're dishonest. Third off, you're trying to
> bribe people to be dishonest, which is shady ass
> behavior and possibly illegal. What a sack of
> shit.

Never mind being a racist piece of shit too.

New.Guy Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> So, I asked to have my gf put on the lease and the
> office manager said, "Sure...that's another $100 a
> month." I said no thanks and left to unpack my
> stuff.
>
>

You can probably find a place to get the key copied. But the real issue is whether your girlfriend will have problems for not being on the lease? Suppose she comes home and for whatever reason you're not around (physically or electronically) to open the lobby door? Or suppose she loses the door key you provide? The management won't let her in to the building or the apartment. The lease probably has something about how many days a "guest" can stay; if they start monitoring and figure out that she's living there, the management might have grounds to fine you or take other action. There might be other issues. You should try to negotiate the cost of putting her on the lease, but ultimately it'll be better if you pay it than if you don't.

missed one dude Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Never mind being a racist piece of shit too.

So stating a known fact of life in this area is now considered racist? Do you dispute the fact the Hispanics cram as many people as possible into their homes, ignoring local laws and zoning regulations? Have you driven around some neighborhoods and seen the 16 cars parked in the front and back yards?

Based on your statement above, Obama's plan is working.

MartyTan Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
>
> Nobody becomes a landlord by following all the
> bullshit rules in life so the high and mighty
> hypocrite landlord who posted above can step
> aside.

I'm no fan of landlords, but note that in most cases like this the landlord is just a manager hired by the property owner. If the manager lets fees slide and doesn't enforce other financial rules, it is money straight out of the owner's pocket, and the manager won't keep his job very long.

7PFub Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> You can probably find a place to get the key
> copied. But the real issue is whether your
> girlfriend will have problems for not being on the
> lease?

One issue is that if the two of you split up and you move out, she has no rights to the apartment. The management could very likely kick her out on the spot if they wanted to since she's not a tenant. Your girlfriend should insist on being on the lease for her own protection.

It all depends on the key. Certain keys can be cut by those automated machines, or at lowes/home depot, some cannot. If it is a key that has only one cut, they can do it. if it as 2 cuts, then no bueno

Okay a lot of the people yelling at the OP sound like they have never been young, in love/lust and not rich. Screw them my brother.

Take your key and smear some epoxy over the 'do not duplicate' so long as it wont interfere with putting the key in the lock. That or grind the lettering off. After that have it copied. Or you could say you lost your key - that is pretty easy.

Your gf is not going to be able to enjoy the abode much if she cannot use a card to get in. Find a workaround on that like making HER cell phone the one that can buzz people in. She can buzz herself in. You have the card to get in she has a cell phone to get in.

Worst case you end up putting her on the lease but lets face it that may not be best for you if you get into a fight ;)

Doggybone Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Only poor people and illegals live in apartments
>
> Get a better job.

and you live in a townhouse right?

Hey, Shit for Brains:

My gf and I just rented a two-bedroom in Crystal City. After I signed the lease, the office manager handed me ONE key to our apartment and ONE access pass to the building. When I asked for a second key and building pass the office manager said, "You're the only person on the lease. We only issue keys and passes to people on the lease."
COMMENT: That's right. You say "I signed the lease." You rented the apartment. Your booty call isn't on the lease.

So, I asked to have my gf put on the lease and the office manager said, "Sure...that's another $100 a month." I said no thanks and left to unpack my stuff.
COMMENT: So? You want to rent a car? All names of drivers go on the list. You want to take a cruise? If you want to go alone, you'll probably pay a single supplement. In this case, read the lease. And, really, $100 a month (on top of what you're currently paying) is a very small premium.

A few days later, I went to a locksmith to have a duplicate key made and the guy working at the counter said, "I'm sorry, sir...there's a stamp on here forbidding me from duplicating this key." Sure enough, he was right. So, I offered him $50 cash on the spot and he said he couldn't take any money and he had to respect the stamp's instructions or it could cost him his job. When I asked him how anyone would know...he pointed to the shop's security cams.
COMMENT: That's the way the world works.

So, the building's front door has a buzzer system. This has been routed to my cell phone so, when visitor's arrive, they call me on the intercom and I can buzz them in from anywhere in the world provided I'm getting cell phone service. This is an inconvenience but, I can live with it...
COMMENT: So you'll just buzz anyone in while you're hundreds or thousands of miles away? Hoo boy!

The bigger issue is the apartment unit key. Does anybody know where I can get this duplicated? Would it help if some tape or other obstruction just "fell" on the key's "Do-Not-Duplicate" stamp or do guys that duplicate keys look for that, too?
COMMENT: Any reputable place would certainly check. "Gee, wonder what this tape might be covering up?"

I'd really like to just walk away from the building at this point and live somewhere else but, of course I signed the lease before inquiring about their key policies. Lesson learned there...Fortunately, this policy seems to have kept out all of the brown, savage, illegal mud-persons who like to live 15 people in a studio apartment. But, perhaps that has more to do with the zipcode and the rent then their key policies...I dunno'...
COMMENT: So leave, already. Further, those "brown, savage, illegal mud-persons" wouldn't be doing anything different than you're doing: Moving someone not on the lease into the apartment without paying extra.

And it could get unpleasant for you there. Someone suggested management might inspect your apartment. OK--depending on the lease they have to give 24-48 hours notice, most likely. So you could move Booty Call's stuff out. But suppose you got weekly notifications of inspections. Ms. Call might get awfully tired of moving her stuff in and out on a weekly basis.

And what if Booty orders something from, say, Amazon? A package that would be held at the front desk. But front desk only knows that Shit for Brains lives in the apartment. Front Desk marks the package: "Wrong address. Return to sender."

Grow up.

12 Floors in the Tower Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Hey, Shit for Brains:
>
> My gf and I just rented a two-bedroom in Crystal
> City. After I signed the lease, the office manager
> handed me ONE key to our apartment and ONE access
> pass to the building. When I asked for a second
> key and building pass the office manager said,
> "You're the only person on the lease. We only
> issue keys and passes to people on the lease."
> COMMENT: That's right. You say "I signed the
> lease." You rented the apartment. Your booty call
> isn't on the lease.

Two people living in an apartment is twice as much wear and tear. Toilet is used twice as much. The carpet, kitchen, etc.

7bcTb Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> I'll reply for this guy -
>
> He wants you to suck his dick -

Thanks for that image.

> this here is a BRO
> who doesn't give 2 flying craps about the rules.

Yes, I figured that out.

> As a landlord, have you NEVER used your leverage
> against a renter for your own good? (You have even
> though you'll say you haven't).

I don't even know what that means. My 'leverage' is the lease. It is not an abuse of power to enforce the lease.

Someone commented that he has experienced problems with landlords, including 'late' return of the security deposit. First, a lot of tenants try to get away with using the security deposit as the last month's rent. That's not what the security deposit is for. Second, a lot of tenants seem to think return of the security deposit is due the second they leave the apartment. The return period is stipulated in the Fairfax County Landlord Tenant Handbook (as well as the lease - 45 days, if I remember correctly). Both sides are legally oblidged to abide by that.

There are sometimes disputes over the nature and value of damages re deductions from the security deposit. If you whack big holes in the wall to mount your big screen TV, then I'm going to have that professionally repaired and I'll ding you for it. If your animal (who probably isn't supposed to be there in the first place) ruins the carpet, same thing (recognizing depreciated value). If you think it's so cheap and easy to take care of these things, then you should have done so before you moved out.

As a practical matter, I've only taken deductions from the security deposit two times out of dozens of rentals. I could have made a hell of a lot more money if I'd been stricter. But if you've been a good, honest tenant, then I have historically gone easy on security deposit deductions and the occasional late payment of rent.

> He's avoiding a key charge, not robbing a bank.

No, he's avoiding paying a $100/month fee to have his girlfriend live there. And he is effectively robbing the landlord.

> The shit that shady landlords have tried to pull
> on me in the past makes me more than willing to do
> what this fucking bro is doing.

I don't know what you are referring to, since you don't specify. Again, both sides are legally obliged to follow the lease.

> He knows damn well that his landlord will never
> find out about his comment because the office
> manager is LAZY.

Maybe she is, maybe she isn't. Maybe the landlord pays a bonus for discovering fraud. I'd like to be a fly on the wall when the front desk gets an oversized mail delivery for the girlfriend who they have no record of at that address.

> This bro will get a second key
> and he will probably barf in the sink and bang his
> girlfriend in the apartment he's getting cheaper
> than he should.

Yes, he probably will - until or unless he gets caught. I finally turned my property over to a management company after the last tenant from hell - an arrogant jerk who thought the rules didn't apply to him (sound familiar?). It costs a lot more, but life is too short to deal with these assholes.

It's pretty disturbing to see how many people here think it's not only fine but actually admirable to screw over the landlord. And you wonder why we become cynical. Grow up.

Hey OP what's your address (including apt #)?? I'd like to send you a welcome gift :)

Troll thread?

Your mistake was going to a locksmith. Locksmiths are regulated businesses that have certain legal responsibilities and can lose their livelihood if they don't follow the rules.

thisisajokeright Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------

>
> Wow they're lucky they have such a fine,
> upstanding young gentleman like yourself living
> there. First off, you're fucking cheap. Second
> off, you're dishonest. Third off, you're trying to
> bribe people to be dishonest, which is shady ass
> behavior and possibly illegal. What a sack of
> shit.


On the rag again pottymouth? He doesn't like mexicans or flat-chested fat chicks who marry them. Deal with it.

3CKnx Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> thisisajokeright Wrote:
> --------------------------------------------------
> -----
>
> >
> > Wow they're lucky they have such a fine,
> > upstanding young gentleman like yourself living
> > there. First off, you're fucking cheap. Second
> > off, you're dishonest. Third off, you're trying
> to
> > bribe people to be dishonest, which is shady
> ass
> > behavior and possibly illegal. What a sack of
> > shit.
>
>
> On the rag again pottymouth? He doesn't like
> mexicans or flat-chested fat chicks who marry
> them. Deal with it.

It's men like you she went south of the border dick face.

A Landlord Wrote:

> I don't even know what that means. My 'leverage'
> is the lease. It is not an abuse of power to
> enforce the lease.

He means you doing what you want knowing the tenant likely won't take you to court to enforce it. Maybe something you don't do but common with landlords around here.
>
> Someone commented that he has experienced problems
> with landlords, including 'late' return of the
> security deposit. First, a lot of tenants try to
> get away with using the security deposit as the
> last month's rent. That's not what the security
> deposit is for. Second, a lot of tenants seem to
> think return of the security deposit is due the
> second they leave the apartment. The return period
> is stipulated in the Fairfax County Landlord
> Tenant Handbook (as well as the lease - 45 days,
> if I remember correctly). Both sides are legally
> oblidged to abide by that.

Exactly. Landlords holding past 45 days due to laziness. Another common practice because they know someone banking on $1000 can't afford to go to court.
>
> I don't know what you are referring to, since you
> don't specify. Again, both sides are legally
> obliged to follow the lease.
>

Not returning deposits on time, arriving unannounced, not responding to maintenance requests. As it was written in the post.

Go back to Detroit or whatever other Obamaland shithole you came from where people have no sense of ethics and their word means nothing. You signed a contract and agreed to their terms with no intention of honoring your side of it. Fuck you and your ilk.

Advice for OP Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> Go back to Detroit or whatever other Obamaland
> shithole you came from where people have no sense
> of ethics and their word means nothing. You
> signed a contract and agreed to their terms with
> no intention of honoring your side of it. Fuck
> you and your ilk.


Dang I would've thought he would have had you at "mud dwellers"