We broke up BUT he still hasn't returned the keys of my house even if I’ve asked him to do. What does it mean?

[Anonymous]

I used to live with my boyfriend in my apartment. We broke up a couple weeks ago. He came to me to pick up all his belongings and I asked him to return the keys. But, he still hasn’t. Do you think he believes that this breakup is only a ‘break’? What should I do?

[Anonymous]

It's possible that your ex-boyfriend may be holding onto the keys as a way of maintaining a connection to you or as a sign that he hopes to reconcile in the future. However, it's also possible that he simply forgot or hasn't had a chance to return the keys yet.

Regardless of the reason, it's important to communicate your needs and boundaries clearly to your ex-boyfriend. Let him know that you expect the keys to be returned as soon as possible, and that you do not want him to have access to your apartment or belongings. You can do this in a clear and respectful way, without accusing him of any ulterior motives.

If your ex-boyfriend still hasn't returned the keys after you have communicated your needs and boundaries, you may need to take further action. This could include changing the locks on your apartment or seeking legal advice if necessary.

Ultimately, it's important to prioritize your own safety and well-being in this situation, and to take steps to protect yourself and your belongings if necessary.

[RangerBlue22]

Change your locks. As soon as possible. Make sure this is done by EOD tomorrow. Call a locksmith if you have to and pay the fee But get it done right away

I don’t know his side of the story. But if you are the homeowner or leaseholder (his name isn’t on this right?) then he is now criminally trespassing if he steps foot on your property without your permission. Him having the keys to your place and refusing to return them is a very bad (and scary) sign.

So again change the locks and do it immediately.

[Adaeva]

The apartment manage may change the key or lock for you. You can replace the lock or call a locksmith to replace the key. You can also remove the lock; take it to a locksmith and for a few dollars he will re-key it and give you a new key.

[Daniela1982]

Change the locks so we don't see the news headlines - Ex. tries to murder his ex-girlfriend. You see this stuff all the time. No one can seem to break up with grace anymore.

[DaveJord]

Honestly if he does or does not return them it does matter at this point. By now if he really wanted them, he would have made copies of the keys.

You need to change your locks. And don't contact him any more about it about it or anything. The more you ask the more you are putting the idea in his head that he still has them.

[AviatorTom]

It means you need to change the locks. Give up trying to get the keys back. He's gone!

[Paris13]

Perhaps he is in Denial or Maybe he Plans on Going IN Whenever he Wants. Change the Locks. xxoo

[OfMiceandMen]

I agree, just to be on the safe side.

[Paris13]

@OfMiceandMen Exactly. xxoo

[Craftsman]

Whether or not he returns the keys, get the locks changed.
It's too easy to go to the home improvement store and get duplicates. In the area in which I live I can put my credit card into a machine, insert a key, and 3 minutes and $2.99 later I have a nice duplicate without even human intervention.
So my advice is very simple; change the locks, and do it as soon as possible, if not sooner.
That way, the keys he keeps won't do him any good, and that's what is most important from my point of view.

[crossdressingrihno]

You, my friend might be in danger.
Please install new locks, and if you don’t have locks on your windows, please get them.
I’ve seen enough to know that if there’s somebody who could potentially have a grudge against you, and they have access to your house there’s a nonzero probability that you’re going to regret them having access to your house.
Even if the probability is small, which I’m not sure it is, but even if it is the fact that somebody who has a personal grudge against you has keys to your house, and thus has the ability to do things while you’re asleep, such as rob you or attack you is kind of a scary thought that you should probably take into consideration, even if you trust him, because trust can easily be betrayed, and most betrayals come from people you trust.

[SamE86]

I feel like part of you wants him to come back. Have you considered changing the locks? I have a couple of questions... When he was living in YOUR apartment, did he pay rent or any of the bills? When you guys were living together (he was living with you) did you ever threaten to kick him out or remind him that the apartment was yours? If so, how do you think doing that made him feel as a man? Do you think it made him feel like y'all were a team/ couple?

[Agape93]

It means he's going to go back in without permission. Call a locksmith and have him change the lock or change the lock pins

[b-river]

Not only should you change the locks, you should researched on what a restraining order looks like in your area. l and get it prepped up if possible. That is extremely inappropriate and you need to protect your safety

[R3V3RS3PROXY]

Sound like this “break” is a mess. You guys should break up or don’t “break”. There’s no such thing as break is “what that means.” Secondly, talk to him regarding the situation. If you mutually agree to have him keep a copy of the keys, then let him be. If not then change your locks, not that hard common sense.

[Adam1978]

You buy a new key cylinder and change locks. If he returns the key you got a backup set, if you have to change again.

[AimeeKyle]

Change the locks…. A girlfriend that lived with me for a while wouldn’t return my keys either (after asking multiple times…. always an excuse). Better to be safe than sorry.

[Danny_dan92]

Are both of your names on the title? Of so he technically has legal rights to the property. If you really want him gone you’re gonna have to settle it in court. But good luck to you

[LocoLuna]

It means you change your locks because he doesn't respect your boundaries.

[SaoirseS]

I think the consensus here is change the locks. That’s what I would do.

[RasmusAiken]

Tell the landlord you're willing to pay to change the locks.

[LazerBean]

It means you need to change your locks and not make the same dumb mistake again.

[Nikki1989]

It means it is time to change your locks.

[Unit1]

It means you might have to change the lock or get the police involved in having a piece of your possession (relevant to your home) being returned.

[zeitgeist057]

doesn't matter if he returns them at this point he could have made a dozen copies.

[FunkyMonkee]

It means that, even if he DOES give them back, you should change the locks!!

[exitseven]

It means you need to change the locks on your house.

[LiamJHayden]

If he no longer has legal residence, change the locks or, if required by your lease, have the landlord do so.

[zagor]

It means he wants a convenient place to stop and take a shit when he's on your side of town and gets caught short.

[David4358]

maybe he is going to rob you blind to get even?

[Anonymous]

you better change those fucking locks and tell your property manager or landlord he hasn't given you the keys back

[Anonymous]

Just put on your big girl pants and change your locks. You should anyway regardless of weather or not he returns your keys.

[Anonymous]

So in case you haven't gotten it yet from everyone else… change your locks.

[Greenbins]

Call a locksmith and re-key your house.. he will probably stalk you

[slatyb]

It means you should change the locks.

[MementoMori777]

Is his name on the house too?

[Miristheiss]

Change your locks ASAP!!!

[NostalgiaSenpi]

Get them changed.

[Sparkie460]

Just change the locks

[peedy]

Than change your locks

[Pete671]

Change the locks!

[AliSulayman]

Change the lock and avoid the drama

[dragoblack]

Change your locks. It's cheaper to do so

[cuteheart48]

Get a new key for your privacy.

[Nominal]

Change the lock.

[Drumlin2001]

Change the locks

[jamesgoldman]

Change the locks

[Anonymous]

Change the locks

[imawfulatusernames]

CHANGE YOUR LOCKS!!!

[Greenbean27]

Change locks