A tenant has the master key in our flat building

cocopops21

Hi everyone,

If you've been following my posts, you'll know that I've had a really tough time this year but we managed to turn things around and are still living in a building of flats that was initially run by an agency. Now apparently, the landlord has opted out of the agency service.

Anyway, a tenant within the building (lives opposite our flat) has made me aware that he holds a master key that opens everyone's flat front door. He claims that the landlord wants to do inspections (we have received a very unofficial letter that says this) and that they asked him to do all of the inspections in the building. He also claims he works for the landlord. The landlords seem to have an agency name too so I'm not sure if they're an agency or if that's at all important.

Now this tenant makes me feel very uncomfortable. I see him watching me out of the window every time I leave the building. Also when I come out of my flat and start locking the door, he always comes out to talk. Now you literally have to be stood next to your front door to hear someone turning their key lock. If the mail man knocks on my door with a parcel, the neighbour comes out to ask me random questions. If I'm running late and say I have to go, he tries to stall and continues talking even if I'm walking away. I know this isn't enough evidence that he's doing anything wrong. But I do feel creeped out and I don't want to feel like this in my own home.

More to the point, what are my rights here? Can a tenant (even if working for the landlord) just have keys to everyone's flat? I have obsessive compulsive disorder and can't sleep thinking he might come in. I know this is irrational but I still worry. Can I change my locks legally? Can I get a chain on the door? I have seen this neighbour come out of someone's else's flat when they weren't in before and it looked very dodgy. He locked the door with his key and my heart just dropped thinking that he can do that to our flat. I tried knocking on this flat's door to let the tenants know that I saw the neighbour going into the flat but nobody ever answers the door.

I've called the landlord company and every time I ring, nobody picks up. What can I do? I'm going to try calling them on Monday and see if I have better luck. We've already emailed and they don't get back. Should I send a letter? Please somebody help.

BitterAndTwisted

Who the landlord chooses to give keys to it their business. But you are not obliged to allow anyone into your home who you do not given permission to enter.

Under the circumstances I would change the barrel of the lock, keeping the old one safe, so you can swap it back when your tenancy ends. If you have a Yale-type lock replacement barrels are easily bought from somewhere like B&Q for about a fiver. It takes about five or ten minutes with a screwdriver to swap them.

If you want to fit a chain, and if you've changed the barrel you won't need one, you will need to gain your landlord's permission first.

cocopops21

Yes but how do I know he's not entering my flat when I'm not in like he did to my neighbour? I have no recourse to do anything about him having my key?

It's not a yale lock. I don't have a clue which it is. Just know it's not a yale one since I've had a yale lock previously.

Would I get into trouble for putting a chain on and then removing it when moving out? Like I said, the landlords are not answering my calls or emails.

HB58

If you change the lock then no-one will be able to enter while you are out. If you do go down the route of putting in a chain without permission, you would have to remove it and make good any damage (fill holes in plaster/wood and repaint) on moving out.

Angry_Bear

What does the lock look like? Is it a round one with a button on the inside to lock it? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnTngmvZDqE

Change the lock. if you're not confident that you can do it yourself pay a locksmith - it won't be too expensive. Make sure you keep the original to replace it before you leave.

cocopops21

The lock looks a lot like this:

http://images04.olx.com.sg/ui/6/66/33/1275893867_98576333_5-Change-Door-LockPictures-for-types-of-locks-at-my--1275893867.jpg

agrinnall

Borrow a big, hungry dog and leave it to roam the flat while you're out - if you get home and your neighbour has big chunks missing from his limbs you'll know he tried to get in.

Or alternatively, if you don't fancy being hauled into court, get a locksmith in.

cocopops21

agrinnall wrote: »

Borrow a big, hungry dog and leave it to roam the flat while you're out - if you get home and your neighbour has big chunks missing from his limbs you'll know he tried to get in.

Or alternatively, if you don't fancy being hauled into court, get a locksmith in.

lol! Not a bad idea. :rotfl:

Yep we're changing the locks.

On a side note, who would win in court in a situation like that (the dog one)? Surely the owner of the dog can't be penalized if they did keep their dog under control in their own house? I'm just curious. I have no dog and don't plan on getting on

Kynthia

If i was you and this worried about having someone who isn't even the landlord entering my property, and was also concerned about my safety, I would change the locks or attach a chain and deal with the consequences later. It would be worth having a deduction in my deposit to feel safe.

It's possible this person is lying or exaggerating, and that your neighbours have moved out and he was performing a check-out inspection?

G_M

1) WRITE to the landlord "at the address for the serving of notices" - usually on your tenancy agreement. If you do not have this address you do no have to pay rent Landlord and Tenant Act 1987 and ask him to clarify who his agent is. At the same time, remind him politely that that he needs to give you 24 hours written notice, AND get your consent, before he or his agent or contractors enter your flat except "in an emergency". Try to make this a pleasant letter (thank him for something at the same time!) but get it in writing.

2) invite a frined round. Unscrew the lock an remove it. Leave friend guarding the flat and take the lock to a locksmith and buy an identical replacement (remembering to get as many extra keys as you need!). Return and fit new lock. KEEP the old one to replace when your tenancy ends.

Sorted.

ps - your landlord will never know you have done this, since, having received your letter, he will, of course, not come round without your consent at an agreed time.......!

Except in an emergency. Gas leak? How will he know? Fire? Fire brigade won't wait for key-holder!

googler

cocopops21 wrote: »

The lock looks a lot like this:

http://images04.olx.com.sg/ui/6/66/33/1275893867_98576333_5-Change-Door-LockPictures-for-types-of-locks-at-my--1275893867.jpg

OK, so the person with the master key has to unlock it, and push the outside handle down to open it.

Can you rig something up that will fit over the outside handle to either prevent the handle being depressed, or will prevent the person accessing the lock below? Something which will secure with a padlock?

There must be something ready-made out there....