Under the Residential Tenancies Act, during a tenant's occupancy, a landlord cannot change the locking mechanism without?

Under the Residential Tenancies Act, a landlord is required to provide the tenant with replacement keys if they change the locking mechanism during the tenant's occupancy. This ensures that the tenant maintains their right to access the premises without interruption. It is important for landlords to enable tenants to securely access their home, as changing locks without providing new keys could leave tenants vulnerable and disrupt their tenancy rights.

Providing replacement keys also demonstrates the landlord's commitment to respecting tenant rights and maintaining good landlord-tenant relations. This practice aligns with the principles of fairness and security that are fundamental to residential tenancy laws.

While notifying the tenant in advance or giving them options regarding locks might seem reasonable, the primary legal obligation centers on the provision of access, which is why supplying replacement keys is the correct choice.