Ok, slightly long winded problem but I'm trying to save money

bs81sj

Ok bit of background first (well quite a lot actually) this is a different dispute to what most people will be expecting.
I live in a rented flat in a house that has been converted to 8 flats only 2 of which are rented (mine and the flat below), the remainder are owner-occupier. I am in dispute with the residents association who are the owner occupiers of the building (not the landlord) over a set of spare keys.

I asked the landlord, via the letting agent as he does not live locally, if I could have a spare set of keys. He said there was no problem and the letting agent said no problem as well. The agent said that I would need to ask the property managers of the building who look after the cleaning of communal areas and general maintenance etc about the front door key. The property managers said it was ok but there was a new front door lock being fitted soon anyway so I should just ask for a key from the managing director of the residents association (who lives in the building). The managing director of the resident association was happy to issue me a key but would not pass a copy onto the letting agent or give me a spare key until the landlord had replied to her letter which raised some issues. This turned out to be that she wanted a key to the actual door of my flat "because its the law" she said.

I then asked the letting agent to speak to the landlord about these and he duly wrote a reply to the letter and cc'd me and the various parties involved. He clearly stated that he was happy that I have a key and that a key should be issued to the letting agent as his representative as soon as possible either directly or via myself.

I then wrote a polite note a week after I received this letter to the managing director of the resident association requesting a spare key. I then received a reply in my mail box the following evening saying that she had discussed the issue of my spare key with the fellow directors of the resident association and at this time was not prepared to issue a spare key to me for the front door.

What I'd like to know is:

1) Can these spare keys to the front door be denied to me by other residents just because they own their properties?

2) Can the residents association request a key to my flat? And if so which law does it say this in? Also if someone breaks into her flat (which is on the ground floor, mine is top) they can easily gain access to my flat if they come across her set of keys to my flat.

3) Is their a way of getting good advice on whether it is worth taking further without having to pay an arm and a leg for it?

To me it seems to be bully boy tactics, I'd really appreciate someone's advice on this. Sorry its rather long winded.

lynzpower

I cannot see why they would have the power to make that decision.

Surely its just a question of when you ( or indeed your landlord) get a new key for the front door, just getting a second one cut?

Whats thier reasoning?

paint

bs81sj wrote:

1) Can these spare keys to the front door be denied to me by other residents just because they own their properties?

Has a key now been issued to you at all yet (not a spare one, but a new one on account of the change in front door locks)? Sorry, it wasn't clear in your post (or my interpretation of it!).

bs81sj wrote:

2) Can the residents association request a key to my flat? And if so which law does it say this in? Also if someone breaks into her flat (which is on the ground floor, mine is top) they can easily gain access to my flat if they come across her set of keys to my flat.

No idea legally, but I'd tell them to take a running jump in any case! Bloody cheek! It's your home and they can't possibly have any legitimate need for a key to it that I can think of. Stand your ground!

bs81sj wrote:

3) Is their a way of getting good advice on whether it is worth taking further without having to pay an arm and a leg for it?

Would it be possible (and a lot cheaper) to go to a key-cutter and make your own copy as a spare and possibly get a refund from your landlord? Obviously though, that depends on my query in question 1!

bs81sj

They won't give a reason. Seems a bit cowardly to me. I know from the letting agent that the MD of the residents association can be very difficult with anyone who does not own a flat. I suspect that the "board meeting" to decide this was more like a self-consultation as I posted her a note in the morning before I went to work and a reply was there at 6pm the same evening.

I don't see why they should have a key to my flat but I can't get a spare key to the front door.

Doozergirl

I can't think of any good reason except that the Managing Director (of eight flats :rolleyes:) is a complete control freak. Why would anyone want a key to your flat and not be prepared to give you a front door key?

I think you should pretend to lose your keys and ring her door every time you come home to be let in

bs81sj

paint wrote:

Has a key now been issued to you at all yet (not a spare one, but a new one on account of the change in front door locks)? Sorry, it wasn't clear in your post (or my interpretation of it!).


No idea legally, but I'd tell them to take a running jump in any case! Bloody cheek! It's your home and they can't possibly have any legitimate need for a key to it that I can think of. Stand your ground!


Would it be possible (and a lot cheaper) to go to a key-cutter and make your own copy as a spare and possibly get a refund from your landlord? Obviously though, that depends on my query in question 1!

No they have at least given me a key so I can get in and out.

Can't get keys cut without permission apparently as these are "special" keys that locksmiths need authorisation for. Alternative I suppose is find a locksmith who'll do it without authorisation.

lynzpower

get your LL to go with you to get the key cut. thats all the authorisation you need.

Id be really facetious and get a load done and wear them as a jangly necklace to pi55 them off but maybe thats just me :rolleyes: