spare keys and changing locks

ihategossips

My previous tenants had several spare keys cut and handed them to neighbours. It was put in tenancy agreement that he/she was not to make any additional keys for locks.

The tenant filmed me while I did an agreed inspection of the property and has said they have reported me to the police for invasion of privacy as I looked in the fridge (fully furnished property)... So as you can imagine relationship is beyond friendly... Anyway my question is can I change the chubb lock barrel and take from deposit as I cannot 100% guarantee they have returned all spares they got cut?

staffie1

Errm...why did you need to look in the fridge..? I'd be quite peeved about that myself.

BitterAndTwisted

If the fridge was supplied as part of the tenancy the landlord would be entitled to inspect it to ensure it was handed back clean.

OP: I believe that the barrels of at least one of the locks should be changed between tenancies as a matter of course. This should be at your expense. It's a minor matter and one of the expected costs when running a business such as this.

chappers

staffie1 wrote: »

Errm...why did you need to look in the fridge..? I'd be quite peeved about that myself.

Any number of reasons , it was an inspection.
To check they hadn't damaged it in any way or wearn't storing something illegal or contrary to the tenancy
.
I bet the police took that one seriously I would be quaking in my boots.

With regards to the locks I doubt it , it is hard to prove that they haven't returned all the keys.
I change one of the locks at the change over of tenancy as a matter of course.I now have three of each chubb and yale and just rotate them between my two properties at changeover time.

SailorSam

I think if i were a landlord i'd keep 2 or 3 spare barrels as a matter of cause and always swop them around whether or not i was having trouble with the tenants.

SNAP, chappers.

Werdnal

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

If the fridge was supplied as part of the tenancy the landlord would be entitled to inspect it to ensure it was handed back clean.

OP: I believe that the barrels of at least one of the locks should be changed between tenancies as a matter of course. This should be at your expense. It's a minor matter and one of the expected costs when running a business such as this.

B&T, I agree. My brother is a Locksmith and its considered standard practice to change locks in all new properties - rentals are LL responsibility, but even when buying its wise to do it as a matter of course.

OP, offset it as a running cost against your tax return!

I also wonder why there was a issue looking in the fridge. Unless your LL is Gillian Mckeith or you have your stash of weed in there keeping fresh, where is the problem? :rotfl:

Was the agreed inspection the check out inventory, or a routine "during tenancy" inspection? OP doesn't make this clear as the word inventory wasn't used and why would T shout about invasion of privacy if tenancy was over?

ihategossips

Yes all furnishings were part of the flat so I believe that checking cupboards, doors, fridge, oven etc would be acceptable as part of the inspection. So legally I can't charge them for new barrel?.. I thought I would as contract says the resonable costs incurred in compensating the landlord for or for rectifying or remedying any major breach by the Tenant and they definately breached the contract by getting spares cut. I wasn't going to but unfortunately Tenant is being verbally abusive and making false allegations about me and denying any damage to my property - I just don't trust them

ihategossips

As everyone has said it should be part of standard end of tenancy I'll just get the barrel changed and pay myself. Thanks Guys - Tenant is such a pain I need to remember to be reasonable above the nonsense. It was a during tenancy check - where do I stand on them secretly filming me... is that allowed without my knowing about it beforehand?

BitterAndTwisted

Having extra keys cut is not a breach!

Are your tenants still in situ and this was a periodic inspection or was it part of the check-out procedure? If you were filming the contents of my fridge during my tenancy I'd be ruddy cross as well.

What they do during the tenancy is none of your business. What is your business is in what condition they choose to hand the property back to you in.

ETA: Sorry, I misunderstood. Tenants were filming you during a periodic inspection not the other way round. They can do what they like but I can't see how it could benefit them. They haven't handed the property back yet. I just hope to God that you've got a thorough detailed and dual-signed inventory from the start of this tenancy.

What do you suspect the tenants might be afraid of to decide to film you?

Werdnal

I think if your tenant lost their key or locked themselves out and you had to change lock due to their negligence, then you could charge and your TA clause would cover this. As its just a post tenancy security issue, then you are responsible and have a duty of care to provide a secure home for your next tenant, so you should cover the cost in this instance.

Regarding your damage issues with the tenant, I assume tenancy is over and you had a check in/check out inventory? I also assume you have protected the deposit in a scheme and provided tenant with the prescribed information?

If YES to both the above and the relationship with T has broken down, just file your claim, with proof of your pre and post tenancy checks and let the deposit scheme arbitrate.

birduk

So let me get this right- during a periodic inspection, you decided to look in the cupboards, fridge etc? The tenant is still in-situ and it is still their home- no matter what your relationship break down.

Come on, honestly imagine how you would feel if that happened to you? Would you like it if someone else came round and nosed through your cupboard- no wonder they told you to sod off!

What happens if they lose the one key you have given them? Do they have to pay for a spare barrel and a locksmith? Would it not be sensible to get more than one key cut? I know I would do the same. The people with a key to my house are the neighbours, sister, cat-sitter and a spare. I will get them all back at the end of my tenancy- but that is none of your business! Since I paid for them, I will also be disposing of them. So what if they have extra keys? What can a neighbour do to your house/their home that would affect you as a landlord so much?

Honestly! I do wonder why people rent out their houses! Leave the tenants alone!