Locked Out of Building - Lost Keys

I wanted to ask how other associations would handle a situation like this...

Our building is an enclosed unattended condo building with off-site management. Exterior access is only by key fob reader or intercom at the front door or by remote at the gated garage. Each unit front door key is controlled by the unit owner themselves, no copy is held by the HOA.

The homeowner is out of town, a friend is taking care of the unit but loses the entire key set (the electronic fob, garage remote, and unit front door key). The homeowner emails an HOA board member asking them to let the caretaker/friend in the lobby front door so that he/she can then bring a locksmith in to drill out the lock and get back into the unit. The homeowner says he'll follow up with the HOA management company directly for a replacement key fob, garage remote, and mailbox key separately.

HOA Property manager says it's no problem for the board member to let the friend into the lobby because there's written permission by email from the homeowner. But that the HOA has nothing to do with the unit front door, so that's between the friend, the homeowner, and the locksmith.

What would you do? Should the board member open the lobby door for the friend? What's the liability here? Does it make a difference if the owner is personally known to the board member? Does it make a difference if the board member acts in a personal capacity to open the door? How do other associations handle a situation like this?

Thanks.

Based on what you stated above, it don't sound like the owner is asking the HOA to foot the bill for the unit locksmith. It sounds like they arranged that service themselves. Give the caretaker the key and the caretaker will let the locksmith in.

That's correct. Thanks!

I’m not a board member but I live in a multifamily condo building and have lived in multifamily condo buildings for years.

The HOA should have a copy of all keys. Period.

As long as the owner gives written permission for access, access should be given. But written permission should be required (not verbal).

My building has a customized website by BuildingLink and it allows owners to give written permission online.

It's probably an abundance of caution thing, but this is a good idea. Similar to the standard advice of responding to an unsolicited email or text purporting to be from your bank by calling the bank yourself at its published number and verifying the story. The association manager should have contact info for all owners and would be able to verify by calling the owner of the unit.

There are too many scammers out there...