davis_square | Getting keys to rental unit (Reply)

My girlfriend just moved to Somerville and her landlord has been a bit squirrely in providing a full set of keys to her house. Basically, she received the front door key from the tenants moving out, but they didn't have a key to the basement or back door.

Upon requesting keys to the back door and basement door, the landlord simply said that they don't have/provide them and that my girlfriend would have to pay for a locksmith to change out the cores. When asked why they don't provide keys (with a couple of reminders when he didn't respond) to the back door, his response was "I've never had a tenant request this and I'm [at] a loss for words," and then repeated that he can give her a locksmith's # for her to use (and pay for).

Given that she just moved in, she'd like to avoid any kind of legal fire-fight, but this seems ridiculous. She doesn't need the keys to get in, but it would be convenient; she stores her bike in the back, and it'd be nice not to worry about possibly being locked out of the basement.

Has anyone run into this situation before or have any advice? Thanks in advance!

Edit: In addition to the basement door, there is a door to a back hallway and a back door to the apartment. She doesn't have any of these keys (3 total)