Unfair landlord charges for replacement keys

mareksio

Hi all,
I'm looking for advice regarding a charge my landlord is trying to impose on me for my front door key fob which I rather foolishly managed to lose on holiday. More specifically it's an electronic fob type key for the electric gate at the front of our house.

The landlord says their standard charge is £50 + VAT for a new fob, which I thought was a tad steep. I asked for a breakdown of what made up this cost, as I wanted to see what made it so expensive. They refused to give me a breakdown, refused to give me the name of the gate manufacturer, and told me the charge is completely non-negotiable.

I managed to contact the manufacturers, who confirmed that a replacement fob would cost the princely sum of £2.46 plus postage. Unfortunately only the landlord can code the key, so it looks like there's no way out of paying.


Now my question is, do I have grounds to dispute the £57.50 charge they're trying to impose? If so, what would be the best method to proceed?

Thanks in advance!

N79

It is not unreasonable for a LL to charge for replacement keys.

However, the charge must be reasonable and you are entitled to the breakdown unless there is a clause in your tenancy agreement that lists a standard charge for lost keys.

If the LL takes it to the deposit resolution service / court then they would have to justify the charge as either reasonable or detailed in the tenancy agreement.

Henry_Hoover_2

I don't know how the cost is worked out, but I paid £35 to the management company for a new fob for the main door to my apartment building. (I own my apartment, so didn't go through a landlord who could have added his own "extra" onto the charge).

I think it's a pretty standard charge.

clutton_2

if you lost your key and had to get the LL to come out and let you in, did he charge you for his time ? if not then £50odd for your new key - which you lost - is to make sure you dont do it again !!!!!

m_13

We're paying £25 for a replacement fob which comes from the company who maintain the doors and gates. We have to take them some proof of where we live and they'll code a new key. £50+VAT sounds steep but if it covers their time and inconvenience then I suppose they can charge whatever they think is reasonable. Any chance of it being in lost property wherever you were on holiday?

poppysarah

I think Manchester council used to charge somewhere between 10-15 for a new fob. Mainly to stop people losing them all the time.
They did need to be programmed but that's a very quick job.

clutton_2

manchester do indeed charge £15 ..... sods !!

paintpot

I have a particular property I manage where the charge for a fob is about £50 and it is noted in the tenancy for that reason. There is a small admin charge on top but that is moreorless what is costs. I know because I had to buy one from the flat management company and I did nearly fall off my chair.

The info you have about it costing £2.75 or whatever for the fob may be a simplistic view if it needs coding and everything that is involved in organising it.

Also, check your tenancy to see if charges are mentioned.

poppysarah

Your flat management company is ripping you off. The fobs are unlikely to cost more than a quid each.

paintpot

poppysarah wrote: »

Your flat management company is ripping you off. The fobs are unlikely to cost more than a quid each.

I am sure they are but that's what I had to pay. I can't get them from anywhere else and that's what they charge. I actually wanted two. They even grumbled about allowing me to have two and once I knew the charge I decided to have one :rolleyes: They are like the bloody gestapo and control the communal areas, this was a fob to the carpark shutters! Don't even get me started about when I was clamped in the carpark and it cost me £100 (cash only!) to be released :mad:

poppysarah

Can they be replaced? (the management company and not the fobs)