Still having difficulties with LL/LA

gazfocus

As some of you know, we have had a number of problems with our LA/LL. The main one of concern is the we have French doors on the rear of the house but only have keys for one half of it.

Due to all the problems, we have decided to move out and are getting the keys to our new house in 2 weeks. We have given notice to our current LA to leave our current house on 17th April but have the removal guys booked for 6th April.

Our problem is that with only having keys for half of the french doors, we will not be able to get our sofas out of the house. We have written to the LL and LA several times (by recorded delivery) but the furthest the LA has got is sending someone round to price up how much it will cost to replace the barrell.

Are we within our rights to demand the lock be changed before our removal guys come? I am concerned that by the time we follow Shelters procedure to get the work done ourselves it'll be too late.

If anyone can offer any advice we would really appreciate it.

kunekune

How did you get them in?

Sammy85_2

Yes, how did you get the sofa in?

gazfocus

kunekune wrote: »

How did you get them in?

Sammy85 wrote: »

Yes, how did you get the sofa in?

We spent about half an hour squeezing each sofa through the one half of the French door, however, since then, the french door (and frame) has started to come away from the wall (which has also been reported to the LA/LL) but if we try to force the sofas back out through the one door, we're worried it will just rip the door off the house which will then cause us loads of problems.

kunekune

Fair enough! I suggest (but this isn't 'professional' advice) that you tell the LL (in writing, obviously) exactly what you told us, and say that you will organise something yourself on such and such a date unless you hear to the contrary.

benoit

Can't you just change the barrel then swap it back afterwards?

gazfocus

Thanks for the replies. The problem is that I only have one months rent left to pay (in 2 days time) and if I decided to hold part of that to get the lock changed, they would withhold it from my deposit.

I don't know how to change locks and haven't got a clue how to remove the barrel in order to change it.

Sammy85_2

You cant just hold back part of your rent to get the locks changed. Your rent is exactly that - rent.

You need permission to change the lock (write to your LL and tell him what may happen if you attempt to squish the sofas out through the door)

gazfocus

Hi Sammy. I know that I can't withhold my rent which is why I said the following Shelters procedures for getting the work done myself will take too long as I will be long gone by then.

I guess what this comes to is do I have any legal position to notify the LL/LA that if the locks haven't been changed or if the keys for that door haven't been provided by the time the removal guys come, I will charge them
for either replacement sofas or the cost of getting the sofas moved after the date that the removal guys are booked for?

I have informed them of the situation and the fact that squeezing the sofas through the door will likely take the door with it but it has fallen on deaf ears unfortunately.

Sammy85_2

You may be able to get the locks changed at the LL's expense, but i doubt he would pay anything more than that.

If you were to persue him for the cost of the sofas or changing of removal dates through the courts, a Judge would want to know why you didnt limit the expense by having the locks replaced. Changing of the locks would be a reasonable action, replacing your sofas would not be.

Send the LL a letter (by recorded mail), explain you need to change the locks in order to remove your sofas and that he has 14 days to do so or you will do it and provide him with receipts for reimbursement.