The saga of a communal front door and the security keys

vyle

Warning, this will be long. Also, individual names have been protected for the lulz.

I live in an apartment block that has a communal front door and a communal back door. When I moved in, I received one key for each door. The doors lead to a stairwell that goes up to my apartment.

I've been there for a year and decided to try and get a spare set of keys, because if I lose them, I'll be stuffed.

My first port of call was the developer's sales office on the site where I live. They directed me to the PMC (Solitaire... eww).

Solitaire told me that the developer, Persimmon, had not handed over yet, so to enquire with them.

What follows is a series of emails that have left me bewildered:

Dear Mr Vyle,

Thank you for your email, the contents of which have been noted.

With regards to additional sets of keys, if you visit any good locksmith they will be able to cut them for you.

<snip>

I hope this information helps.

Kind Regards

I replied:

Thanks for your reply.

Unfortunately, I have spoken to a number of locksmiths and all have said that they cannot cut the security keys. I also spoke to the team at my local sales office (again) who repeated that I will need to order the keys from yourselves.

Thanks

Dear Mr VizzlemcDizzle,

Thank you for your email the contents of which have been noted.

I have checked your plot files from the handover at time of purchase and you were issued a full set of keys for each of the doors. Unfortunately, we can not order you any additional keys so if you require more and you can not find a lock smith who can cut them then your alternative will be too have the locks changed.

Dear X

Thanks for the information. I was given a set of keys for the flat itself, but only one key for the communal front door and one for the communal back door. I do find it surprising that there is no way to obtain a spare set of keys for the communal doors, as I don't know if the terms of the lease would allow me to change the locks on those doors should I lose the keys.

Do you know of any specific locksmiths who are allowed to cut this specific type of security key, because it is against the law for locksmiths to cut them. Normal keys are fine, but this type of key, by its nature, are forbidden.

Thanks

Dear Lord Vyle of The planet which is called the Earth.

After exhausting several possible avenues I am forced to say that there is nothing Persimmons can do regarding the keys, I have spoken directly to the people who installed the communal doors and they have advised for security reasons they cannot provide keys as they do not have a copy themselves.
I have spoken to site and sales and they themselves have one key which if for cleaners and will be handed over when the management company come into place.

You are right in saying no locksmith will cut them as they are security keys and you don’t own the entire block of apartments.

I am sorry there is nothing I can do for you on this occasion.

Kindest Regards

So what I have is a situation where, should I lose a key, I will never EVER be able to obtain a replacement.

Does anybody have any clue what I can do to get a key?

maninthestreet

Do you have a picture of the keys in question you can upload?

Henry_Hoover_2

Could you try telling them that you have lost yours? They might be more helpful if they think you *need* them rather than just *want* them.

I don't envy you though, Solitaire have been a nightmare to deal with!

vyle

The key in question:

chris_m

Psml ;-)

Brb

Locksmiths do cut these keys but only the building owner/management company can get it done.

I had same key some 17 years ago and lost it day 1 *rollseyes* cost me a lot to replace but that long ago I can't remember how much.

vyle

wrangler5 wrote: »

Sorry, that's a bit too small to make out. Can you post a bigger image pls?

Oops, forgot what setting my phone camera was on.

Fire_Fox

Where you are going wrong is dealing with the wrong team (sales) and dealing with this matter too informally. My advice would be to find out who your contact's superior officer is, then stop e-mailing and write a recorded delivery letter. Might be worth reading your long lease and contacting the Leasehold Advisory Service before sending the letter. If you still get no joy try getting other leaseholders onside with this issue.

vyle

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Where you are going wrong is dealing with the wrong team (sales) and dealing with this matter too informally. My advice would be to find out who your contact's superior officer is, then stop e-mailing and write a recorded delivery letter. Might be worth reading your long lease and contacting the Leasehold Advisory Service before sending the letter. If you still get no joy try getting other leaseholders onside with this issue.

That's a good idea, actually. I was dealing with the customer services email link on their site, but I'll dig out the long lease and then shoot off a letter to a manager.

I think finding a manager's postal details will be the hardest bit of this whole thing, somehow >.>

Owain_Moneysaver

Tell them they either supply you with keys within 14 days or you change the lock. To a combination one where you can change the code every 6 months at no cost.

Perelandra

It may also be worth speaking to some of the other flat occupants/owners have managed to get copies, and if so how they got them?