Lanlord responsibilities

unrulygirl

I'm hoping some of you guys might be able to help as I am getting increasingly fraught by this situation.

Last night, I could not get into my flat. I had my keys in my hand, them nor the spare keys could open the day. A locksmith was called and had to replace the full lock/barrel - new keys the whole palaver. The lock double locked itself - I didn't even know you could do such a thing. The lock had been put on upside down and definitely 'not by a professional' to quote the locksmith. My landlords are accepting no responsiblity and are refusing to reimburse the cost of the locksmith. I would understand this if I had locked myself out or done something to the lock but this was a complete accident.

Can anyone advise me on what I can do? I am trying to get an appointment at the CAB as I think there are numerous issues with the flat that I can raise if it turns nasty, which i'm hoping it doesn't come to.

Any advice is gratefully received!

BitterAndTwisted

If the lock "double-locked" itself why was it not possible to double unlock it? Do you mean that it appeared to have been double-locked from inside? It just seems illogical to me to have a key in your hand and not be able to unlock the door unless the lock has been damaged or broken in some way. Accidents are not your landlord's responsibility. What sort of cost are we talking about here?

unrulygirl

I'm no locksmith, I can only report back what he told me. The latch on the door must have fallen down when I shut it. The lock had been fitted upside down, though I am told that this would have no bearing on how it worked.

In comparison to my monthly rent, the cost is minimal. The locksmith did have to come out after 6.30pm and fit a whole new lock.In any other rented property I have been in landlords have covered any costs for anything to do with things such as locks. I am just surprised by my landlord's attitude as I am a good tenant and do not often have any problems with my accomodation.

Gloomy_Past_Bright_Future

When they ask for keys for the house say

"No problem it will be X amount of pounds", which covers the cost of your repair!"

BitterAndTwisted

It occurs to me that either the locksmith was right and the original lock was not fitted probably which caused the "snib" thingy to drop when usually you would have to push it up (that's if it's a Yale-type lock and I haven't got the up/down the wrong way round) or you locksmith wasn't candid and has exploited you. I suspect the former as you say the cost was minimal. In either case, if the cost is minimal I'd just accept it as a routine cost of paying for somewhere to live.

it's entirely possible that the LL is taking that attitude because although the lock wasn't fitted properly, they've never experienced this problem themselves and neither have previous tenants, so they're assuming that you're the problem.

Pick your battles, I reckon

N79

Difficult one. The LL may not have been aware of this problem in fitting (the lock may have been fitted by a previous T) but in either case you state "though I am told that this would have no bearing on how it worked" and even double locked then I should have thought the key should work.

Bottom line is that if the lock mechanically failed (either due to age or poor installation) then the LL should pay. If this was an accident / due to you not fully understanding the locks features then there is no obligation on the LL to pay. However, if the charge is small and reasonable and you are a good T it seems a little petty of the LL not to pay. Mind you, and thinking out loud here, I will not pay the costs of Ts gaining access when they have locked themselves out - maybe the LL thinks this is what happened; in which case a short report from the locksmith may change his view?

As for Gloomy Past Bright Future's idea - forget it. If you fail to give your LL a working key at the end of the tenancy (note you do not have to give one now) then you will be resposible for the costs of the repairs when the LL breaks in which will be deducted from your deposit.

poppysarah

Ask the locksmith to give you a report on what he thinks as a professional about the problem. He might just have to write "remove and replace wrongly fitted lock"

unrulygirl

to be honest, I don't think the locksmith was exploiting me - and I think I'm more bothered by the principle of it all. The insinuation was it was my fault, which I didn't like. I would have been happy if they have offered half the cost.

unrulygirl

N79 wrote: »

Difficult one. The LL may not have been aware of this problem in fitting (the lock may have been fitted by a previous T) but in either case you state "though I am told that this would have no bearing on how it worked" and even double locked then I should have thought the key should work.

Bottom line is that if the lock mechanically failed (either due to age or poor installation) then the LL should pay. If this was an accident / due to you not fully understanding the locks features then there is no obligation on the LL to pay. However, if the charge is small and reasonable and you are a good T it seems a little petty of the LL not to pay. Mind you, and thinking out loud here, I will not pay the costs of Ts gaining access when they have locked themselves out - maybe the LL thinks this is what happened; in which case a short report from the locksmith may change his view?

As for Gloomy Past Bright Future's idea - forget it. If you fail to give your LL a working key at the end of the tenancy (note you do not have to give one now) then you will be resposible for the costs of the repairs when the LL breaks in which will be deducted from your deposit.

Landlord has spoken to the locksmith and knows what happened. The lock was new when I moved in ( about 15 months ago) - the locksmith stated it had not been fitted by a professional, to me at least. The fee was £80 which is minimal especially when my rent is £495 per calendar month.

It's making me feel increasingly bitter towards my LL and want to bring up things that I have brushed under the carpet.

BexInLondon

£80 compared to a rent of £495 isn't minimal at all! What else have you brushed under the carpet with this LL?P

princeofpounds

You will have to make a choice - be assertive and risk bad relations or not be assertive and get walked over in future. There is no right answer.

As long as you didn't damage the lock yourself or otherwise muck it up then it is the LL's responsibility to pay. Send them a letter before action quoting Section 11 of the Landlord and Tenant Act (and get written evidence from the locksmith that the lock was faulty and that it was not accidentally damaged by you). If they don't reply, small claims court.