Access Control in Apartment Buildings: Who Has the Front Door Key?

Many Germans live in apartment buildings, and many are unaware of who has access to their homes. In apartment buildings, various individuals have access to the front door key, including tenants, landlords, caretakers, and property management. Additionally, external individuals such as mail and newspaper deliverers, garbage collectors, and firefighters also have access to fulfill their duties. These keys are handed out by the property management or the landlord. The decision of who receives a key depends on whether the person needs it and whether the landlords or property management want to hand it out. Missing keys can lead to problems, such as missed mail delivery or garbage collection, as well as security risks in emergencies if the fire department does not gain access. In larger buildings, the keys are often stored in the fire department key depot. In Austria, a similar system called "Postschlüssel" or "Z-Schlüssel" exists.