My question involves landlord-tenant law in the State of: California
Hello, I live in an apartment building in California, and I’m leaving my place on a trip for 4 months. I first left my apartment for a 4 month trip last year. On my initial trip, I told the manager that since I would be away for a long time, I was giving a duplicate of the keys of the building, my apartment, and mailbox to a friend who would periodically check on my place and pick up my mail. The manager told me that since my friend would have access to the building, he needed a copy of his driver’s license. I therefore gave the manager a copy of my friend’s Driver’s License.
During the time I was away everything went well. However, since last year, I had a big argument with my friend and we no longer speak to each other. Unfortunately, I never had asked my friend to return the duplicate keys to me. I told the manager that I had an argument with my friend and asked if he could change my apartment keys since I don’t want to see my friend again. Since I’m leaving for another 4 month trip, I told the manager that I am making another set of duplicate keys of the building, my apartment and mailbox and giving the keys to a different friend to check on my apartment and mail. I told the manager that I would give him a copy of this person’s driver’s license. However, the manager is not allowing me to let another friend check on my place and mail.
The manager told me that since my first friend never returned the duplicate keys to me since last year, the manager will not allow another friend of mine to have access to the building. I therefore had to call my friend with whom I had argued and with whom I was not talking and asked him to return the keys. He said he would return them tomorrow. I told the manager that the duplicate keys will be returned by my friend but that hasn’t helped change the manager’s mind about allowing my second friend to check on my apartment while I’m away.
The manager says that he (the manager) will pick up my mail from the mailbox, open my apartment and drop the mail in my apartment. However, I don’t feel comfortable with the manager. Besides, I need the person who picks up my mail to open a number of the letters, to answer some of the letters, to pay the bills, etc. In addition, I need the person to turn on my car which is in the garage to make sure the battery doesn’t go bad, to water the plants in the apartment, etc. The manager, though, says that he doesn’t want my friend to enter the building even if I provide him with a copy of my friend’s driver’s license. I need to leave soon and I’m very concerned.
Can the manager legally prevent my friend from visiting my place periodically to check on my apartment, mail, car, etc.? Your thoughts, help and ideas would be deeply appreciated. Thank you very much for your kind assistance!!!

