Looking for master key for Ilco xl7 1180

[texasdyme]

I'm a manager for a small appartment building and we have mailbox style boxes for tenants. i constantly get request from tenants to open their boxes for them because they lost their keys. we usually have duplicates for all the boxes, but because of others letting tenants borrow the spare keys, we constantly have to chase them and get the originals and make keys for them.

how can i find a master key that would open these boxes.

thanks

[npdaniels]

All the locks would have to master keyed and a change key would then be provided to the tenants for their box, leaving you with the master key to open all boxes within the series.

Call your local locksmith, they would be able to assist you in developing a master key system to fit your needs.

[Squelchtone]

I'm a manager for a small appartment building and we have mailbox style boxes for tenants. i constantly get request from tenants to open their boxes for them because they lost their keys. we usually have duplicates for all the boxes, but because of others letting tenants borrow the spare keys, we constantly have to chase them and get the originals and make keys for them.

how can i find a master key that would open these boxes.

thanks

You should have a set of originals in a lock box nicely tagged and organized, and 1 spare of each also tagged and organized that you can give out without giving out your originals. If these mailbox locks are Keyed Different, then there is no such thing as a master key that will open them all unless you had a locksmith pin them up with master pins back when you first installed the mailboxes.

If a tenant needs a key ASAP, and you only have one left, don't ever give the last one out, tell them that you will make a copy the next business day and they can come back. Also, start charging a $25 deposit per mailbox key and have a card on file with their signature that they agreed to this deposit or replacement fee. Put some responsibility on them.

good luck and happy holidays,
Squelchtone

ps. Just saw that npdaniels snuck in while I was typing this =) he offers you good advice, go see your local locksmith.

[ElAbogado]

I'm a manager for a small appartment building and we have mailbox style boxes for tenants. i constantly get request from tenants to open their boxes for them because they lost their keys. we usually have duplicates for all the boxes, but because of others letting tenants borrow the spare keys, we constantly have to chase them and get the originals and make keys for them.

how can i find a master key that would open these boxes.

thanks

Your solution is not a master-keyed lock, but rather to keep a copy of the mailbox key in your keybox, as you would a door key. The second solution is to have the mailman open the boxes with his postal key and then change out the lock from the top. (most boxes tilt out showing access to the locks)

El Abogado

[WOT]

How about keeping a database of codes on a computer file or paper? When the tenants lose his key, you can call in a locksmith for a key to be made by code, send the tenant there with a letter of authorization for them to pick the key up and have him be responsible for whatever the locksmith charge for a code cut.

[loki-aka]

Having tenants remit a key deposit and paying for lost keys may be the way to go.

Some people tend not to loose things so easily if they know they will have to literally pay a price. Personal Responsibility.

[raimundo]

older mail box locks have lever tumblers, I think the whole set of these locks consists of about 200 variations, someone else here will probably have actual data on this.
the common one now used is 'peanut' meaning small, cylinder that screws on with a retainer nut, and fits in a double d hole. Is that the correct terminalogy for the hole, double D ?
these are small pin tumbler locks, not so secure but probably too small for commercial picks to get into.
the cheapest way to deal with them when the keys are lost is to buy a new cylinder that has two keys, probably around 5or6 bucks, but if you manage an apartment you should probably buy more of them than you need for stock. when inflation come in, they are gonna go up like every thing else.
You should keep a master list of the key codes of these locks if only to be sure that all your tenants are not getting keyed alike.

[freakparade3]

One other important thing to note is sometimes these are owned by the building, sometimes these are owned by the post office. You need to know for sure before you touch them.

[straightpick]

Mailbox locks do not come masterkeyed for a reason and only someone who has a lot of money that he wants to get rid of quickly would master key them!

[globallockytoo]

Mailbox locks do not come masterkeyed for a reason and only someone who has a lot of money that he wants to get rid of quickly would master key them!

Not completely accurate. You can order factory master keyed postal box locks.

Similarly, you can order similar types of locks for fire control boxes (fire departments have the master key), elevator switches (elevator repair companies hold the master key).

Many post offices use their own master-keyed boxes (the post office holds the master).

[Raymond]

I have to throw in my two cents worth of opinion.

Do not masterkey these locks. If any tenant wants a reason to contest anything with you they will have a prime opportunity to claim some piece of valuable mail disappeared and they know you have the key.

There are many legitimate reasons for the landlord to have a key to the apartment and this is a normal presumption, but not the mailbox. I would take a completely opposite viewpoint if the US Post Office dropped a box of mail to you and you distributed the mail among the apartment owned mailboxes but then, you would have access to the back of them all.

When you get a new tenant make sure your lease includes a provision about them returning both keys or specifies an exact amount they must pay to have the lock drilled out (do not pick it in their presence) and replaced. This must also apply if the current tenant simply loses the key. When the tenant loses his last key and comes to you simply remind him of the new key rule and ask him if he wants you to drill it right then or wait to see if he finds it. Put the responsibility for the decision back with the tenant. You must be happy and pleased to be helpful but the choice is theirs until they move out.

As stated earlier, get a few locks and be prepared to change out the lock (or at least move them around) for each new tenant. Most states have a law that the apt. doors MUST be rekeyed for each new tenant so just plan to do the same with the mail boxes. The tenants privacy and security are too important for you to be the cause of a violation. These locks are too cheap and easy to replace for them to become such a problem.