Old Agent has 2nd set of keys to rented property

Geenie

I am not sure what the OP is getting their knickers in a twist about! Firstly, if her daughter is the sole tenant and has been issued with a set of keys for the property, then why does she need a 2nd set?!

I can't imagine any LL letting a place without holding a set of keys to enter said place in an emergency. That doesn't mean that we are all sneaking in at the dead of night for goodness sake! I have rented, owned and let. I wouldn't have slept for the last 30 years if I was worrying about who could come in on the keys I was given!

As to changing locks.........check the AST. If it states don't do so without consent, don't whine about LL's not following the rules, when there are those on here proposing to do the same as tenants, who signed an agreement.

poppysarah

Put requests in writing.

Get a shed alarm for about 12 quid. That'll tell you if anyone uses the key when they shouldn't. Plus the best thing is to change the lock.

If it' a copyable key who knows who has one. Just change it. And change it back when she moves out.

Debt_Free_Chick

It doesn't matter whether you rent or buy - you have no idea who has keys to the current locks. To be honest, I'm not sure who has my spare keys; neighbour - yes; dog-minder ... yes .... anyone else .....?????? I'm not sure.

It's simply prudent to replace the locks and not worth working up a lather as to who pays. You want the piece of mind of new locks .....? Then surely it's worth paying for ....?

clutton_2

change the locks and calm down

tbs624

Lady K - clearly you are working yourself in to a bit of a tizzy over this one. Your daughter is an adult and learning how to deal with lazy, indifferent and/or downright dishonest LAs is unfortunately all part of life when you leave home. There are some things that it's worth huffing and puffing about the "principle of the thing" & some that you/your daughter will just find are just easier to resolve for yourself.

As several of us have suggested, the only way for you both to be certain that no other random person holds a key is to just get those cylinders changed. Or your DD can set up a webcam and get one of those shed alarms, as B Bear has suggested.

Truthfully, if this is the worst problem your daughter encounters during her time as a T she will have got off very lightly.....;)

Lady_K

00ec25 wrote: »

CALM DOWN

you really seem disturbed over the fact that a known set of second keys is not with your daughter. You have no confirmed idea how many other sets are in existence, the advice you have been given to change the locks is the only way in which you are going to have assurance that your daughter is safe from intruders in this property.

your daughter has an absolute right in law "to quite enjoyment" of the property, but realistically how can you ever be sure that that is the case unless you have changed the locks yourself and hold the keys yourselves. If that level of security is what you are obsessing over then its your problem not the LL's, so why should the LL pay for it (or realistically pass the cost back in higher rent!)

I am grateful and do appreciate and understand your advice but at the same time I do feel that your words disturbed and obsessing come accross as quite rude.. I am concerned and worried yes and agree that the locks should be changed but wanted to be sure its done legally. I have never changed locks before or my daughter so have no clue how to get the right ones or how easy it is to do or not. With regards to landlords paying for lock changes I meant if they have lost the keys themselves like this one has.

Geenie wrote: »

I am not sure what the OP is getting their knickers in a twist about! Firstly, if her daughter is the sole tenant and has been issued with a set of keys for the property, then why does she need a 2nd set?!

I can't imagine any LL letting a place without holding a set of keys to enter said place in an emergency. That doesn't mean that we are all sneaking in at the dead of night for goodness sake! I have rented, owned and let. I wouldn't have slept for the last 30 years if I was worrying about who could come in on the keys I was given!

As to changing locks.........check the AST. If it states don't do so without consent, don't whine about LL's not following the rules, when there are those on here proposing to do the same as tenants, who signed an agreement.

It doesnt really matter why my daughter needs 2 sets of keys, she has genuine practical reasons for needing the 2 sets and she was told when viewing the property that she would have 2 sets of keys and she certainily has more reason to have the 2nd set than the first agent no matter if she changes the locks or not. The agent already has a set of keys and the landlord. Thanks for the advice on checking the AST before changing locks, will do that, had to look up what an AST was though


The fuss about the 2nd set of keys being at the old agent even though she will be changing the locks once the legality is sorted is because I am angry with the present agent knowing and leaving the keys with the previous one when he should have collected them. To me its not doing the job right and not caring. At least once she gets them back she can hand back 2 sets of keys when leaving after changing the locks back again without any palaver of where they are then if they are still lost.

clutton_2

whether it is doing the job right or not - this is how the agent is behaving - if you are too unwilling to learn how to change a lock - (a very easy DIY thing) - then why not go to the old agent with your daughter and take your tenancy agreement with you and ask for the keys

i'm getting bored with this now

Lady_K

I have said we are going to change the locks now after hearing from people here how easy it is to do, of course we are going to now

My daughter was going to collect them herself but she was told by the agent holding them that she can't collect them herself, the present agent has to do it

Sorry its boring, I know its gone on a bit and I know I do panic about things but thanks for everyones advice anyway, its much appreciated