Stolen property in shared house by keyholder. Who is liable?

Jowo_2

Deleted User wrote: »

Surely if people can't just let themselves in to house & help themselves to what's inside with a set of keys and no one is liable?

Insurers and the criminal are liable...

[Deleted User]

Jowo. If keys weren't involved I wouldn't be asking the 'is the landlord liable' question no.

Fire_Fox

Deleted User wrote: »

Thanks. Yes I know it was my responsibilty to insure. I don't have an @i'm entitled thing going on. i am just wondering what I can do. The locks haven't been changed since past tenants.

You have had as much opportunity as the landlord to change the locks and as much opportunity as anyone else to insure your personal possessions. You obviously don't trust one of your housemates, that is not the landlord's fault.

Deleted User wrote: »

Surely people can't just let themselves in to a house & help themselves to what's inside with a set of keys and no one be liable?

You don't know that they did!!!

[Deleted User]

The landlord is responsible for the locks.

Either someone let someone in to take it or left the door open during the night or someone let themselves in with a set of keys.

The former on one can do anything about while it's been denied. But while there is a possiblity of the latter, that is something that does require action on the landlords part of changing the locks

[Deleted User]

I'm not actully blaming my landlord by the way.

Fire_Fox

Deleted User wrote: »

The landlord is responsible for the locks.

Either someone let someone in to take it or left the door open during the night or someone let themselves in with a set of keys.

The former on one can do anything about while it's been denied. But while there is a possiblity of the latter, that is something that does require action on the landlords part of changing the locks

Since you appear to have all the answers what exactly was the point of this thread?

Jowo_2

If the landlord does not want to compensate you but you regard them as liable/negligent because they did not change the lock at the outset of your tenancy, then take them to the small claims court. Costs around £30.

It is good practice for landlords to change the locks at the outset of each new tenancy but I am not sure that there is a legal obligation to do this. Perhaps Shelter will be able to advise you of your rights?

[Deleted User]

Thanks. Not all your posts had showed up when I posted my reply. I'm forming opinions as we have this converstion yes. That does happen... not sure why it's getting personal fire fox.

It helps to know my legal postion when I next talk to the landlord about it.

franklee

As a tenant I'm a great believer in changing the locks but when that's mentioned here there is often some protest that it's against the tenancy agreement. Have you looked in ours, does it say you cannot change the locks? If so then I'd suggest it does make the landlord responsible for past keyholders if they use them now, but obviously not current keyholders. I'd put pressure on your current housemates to return the bike and no harm done if it was them and if no one is forthcoming complain to the landlord about any ban on changing the locks in the agreement.

Really lock changing should be routine at the start of a new tenancy IMO as anyone could have keys, not just past tenants, but past or current agents, neighbours, friends etc. Even if you had the bike insured I suspect the lack of forced entry would likely mean no payout.

[Deleted User]

Aw. Good point. The agreement says no changing locks without permission