No key for mailbox - what to do?

shanespencer

Hi,

I moved into a very nice first floor flat last weekend, and was given a very large bunch of keys with the place. The Letting Agent didn't know what each particular key was for, so it was a case of experimenting when I got there. I managed to figure all the keys out, but I found a small problem. We have a mailbox by the main external door downstairs, and that mailbox has an internal door by which you get your mail. We don't seem to have a key for it.

I've spoken to the Letting Agent about this. It seems the mailbox hasn't actually been emptied for a long time, as it is so full, you can pull fresh mail straight out from the front flap on the street. I found mail for three previous tenants.

The Letting agent had a search and found another key which I tried - no luck.

Obviously, I'm holding off from redirecting my mail from my previous address until I get this sorted out. In case the Letting Agent / Landlady can't actually find the right key though, what are my options?

Am I entitled to get the lock changed? If so, can I pass the bill on? (I don't see why I should pay to be able to get my own mail) Other than getting the lock changed, how can I make the Letting Agent / Landlady sort this out so I can get mail? Right now, it's easy for passers-by to take my mail!


Any help offered here would be greatly appreciated.

sooz

shanespencer wrote: »

Am I entitled to get the lock changed? If so, can I pass the bill on? (I don't see why I should pay to be able to get my own mail) Other than getting the lock changed, how can I make the Letting Agent / Landlady sort this out so I can get mail? Right now, it's easy for passers-by to take my mail!

Yes - put it in writing (or email) to the LA & copy in the LL.

Say what you have said here - urgent, can't get mail, etc.

Give them 7 days to find key or sort out locksmith, or you'll do it yourself & send them a bill.

Whilst you wait..
Have you tried contacting the mailbox manufacturer? Or is it a block of flats all with similar mailboxes - the building manager?

mlz1413

Can you contact the owner direct and see if they have an original that they could get another copy cut from?

Can you contact the company that make the mail boxes and ask if there is any way of getting another key issued or the lock replaced?

My biggest concern of this is the implications - if you were given a bunch of keys and left to get on with it that suggests your LA didn't walk you through the flat with the inventory. So what happens when you leave do they just get back a bunch of keys give you your deposit and a cheery wave ta-ra?

shanespencer

sooz wrote: »

Yes - put it in writing (or email) to the LA & copy in the LL.

Have you tried contacting the mailbox manufacturer? Or is it a block of flats all with similar mailboxes - the building manager?

Thanks for that. Yes, they are all similar mailboxes. There is a company name and number on the box outside - I'm going to give them a call and see what they say.

shanespencer

mlz1413 wrote: »

Can you contact the owner direct and see if they have an original that they could get another copy cut from?

Can you contact the company that make the mail boxes and ask if there is any way of getting another key issued or the lock replaced?

My biggest concern of this is the implications - if you were given a bunch of keys and left to get on with it that suggests your LA didn't walk you through the flat with the inventory. So what happens when you leave do they just get back a bunch of keys give you your deposit and a cheery wave ta-ra?

I'll give the mailbox company a call (as mentioned above). You are right about the inventory. I moved in on a Sunday, and of course they don't work weekends, so they gave me the inventory on Friday to check myself.

Needless to say, the inventory was a load of rubbish (dead light bulbs were 'fully working' etc), so I wrote a whole long list of things I found myself and handed it to the Letting Agent yesterday. I have loads of photos to back my inventory up, too.

shanespencer

I just rang the mailbox company, and once I quoted the lock number over the phone, he placed an order for a replacement key. Should be here in 7-10 working days.

Shame the Letting Agent / Landlady couldn't do that though...

shanespencer

Sorry to dig this old thread up, but things haven't worked out in this place and I'm moving back out, so I have a couple of questions (I'm posting in this thread instead of starting a new one as there is context):

As I am moving out early, I am being charged £180 for "early release". Originally, I was going to stay with this Letting Agent and switch properties, and they wanted to charge me £100 for the "Admin Fee" to transfer the deposit (I've since decided not to stay with them).

Seeing as I did all the work getting the mailbox key (see above), I think it's only fair to charge an "Admin Fee" to the Letting Agent if they ask for the key - do I have the right to do this? Failing that, do I have the right not to give them the key, seeing as it's my property, and didn't come with the house in the first place (I'll just throw it away - rather that than give it to them)

Secondly, they're asking for a forwarding address when I move out. Normally I wouldn't mind giving one, but last time I rented through these people, within two days of moving in I got spam mail, and within a week of moving out, I then got the same spam mail at the new address, leaving me to think it was them that gave my address away. Consequently, I don't wish to give them an address - where do I stand on this? Do I have to give them an address, or can I choose not to?


Thanks for your help. :-)

mlz1413

If you are being let out of a 6 month AST for the cost of £180, rather than 4 more months rent I really won't be complaining that hard.

The key is a seperate issue, yes you bought it for you to be able to use the mail box, but it has no use to you and the only people you are 'hurting' is the next tenants, it will have no effect on the LA's at all. Is there a person within the block of flats who is part of the management team? Could you give them the key so they can allow next tenants use of it? Or could you leave it in the flat?

You maybe angry with the LA but most AST's say that a forwarding address must be given for the deposit to be refunded to and mail, like utility bills, forwarded to, but it maybe worth writing to the LA with your new address saying that you have registered with the Mail Preference Service and therefore no junk mailings should be sent to you nor your address forwarded to any such companies.

shanespencer

Thanks very much for your help.

Idiophreak

Have to say, I'd let it go...LAs are a rip off, everyone knows that, so the "admin fee" etc is to be expected and £180 doesn't seem too harsh to buy you out.

As to the key..the LA/LL weren't bothered when the last person didn't give it back, why would they be bothered if you don't? You sorted it out for yourself...they'll feel the next people can do the same...they won't be interested in giving you anything for it. Just be the "bigger" person and hand it over and try and forget about them.

shanespencer

You're both absolutely right. I'm just a bit stressed out at the moment; the reason I'm having to move out is because my wife told me last week she wants to be on her own, and so we're separating - this means I can't afford to rent the place. The LA isn't exactly being very sympathetic, hence my anger towards them right now!