r/AskSF•
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Duplicate Keys

My set of keys says “do not duplicate” on the top, and a number of hardware stores have turned me away when I asked if they can duplicate them. My landlord charges $200 for a duplicate set, which includes one gate key and one apartment key. I asked her if this is the cost to duplicate the key, and she said it’s the cost of the key, of her going to get it duplicated, and to prevent people from handing out spares.

The rent ordinance (Sec. 37.13) says: When providing requested additional keys/key-sets to a tenant, the landlord may charge only for the documented cost of replicating the additional keys/key-sets, which cost shall be paid by the tenant upon delivery of the requested additional keys/key-sets. Additional keys/key-sets shall be provided without requiring any other costs, fees, deposits, or terms or conditions of any kind whatsoever.

Do keys ever cost $100/key to make? These are thicker brass keys with a square top.

Posted Oct 3, 2025, 5:13 PM UTC

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