Key breaks in front door and tenant kicks down door - who's liable?

Dragon_of_Consumer_Power

A friend of mine went round this morning to look at the door and lock. Apparently the broken key (half stuck in the lock, other half broken off) is 'severely twisted', so it doesn't sound like an accidental break. There is some damage to the door frame where the lock is flush with the door, so that will need repairing. Locksmith is going round this afternoon, so I should know more then.

jjlandlord

Get pictures of everything for your records, and to counter future arguments.

FireWyrm

Geez, some people are utter !!!!!. Kicking down a door...!!!!!!! Just wait until morning and call a locksmith. You might look like a twit but it would be far cheaper in the long run.

This is one case, I agree that the LL should deduct the FULL amount from the deposit, but genuinely dont think he should punish the innocent tenants too. Tenant #2 might need keeping an eye on though....

Flossy87

Definitely get the tennant to pay for the damage and lock. My key broke in the lock the other day (luckily I had my back door key with me).

I think it was a weak key as I was just opening the door as normal (either that or I have some super freaky strength), however, I broke it, nothing to do with my landlord so I paid for a new lock. Simples!

Fire_Fox

FireWyrm wrote: »

Geez, some people are utter !!!!!. Kicking down a door...!!!!!!! Just wait until morning and call a locksmith. You might look like a twit but it would be far cheaper in the long run.

This is one case, I agree that the LL should deduct the FULL amount from the deposit, but genuinely dont think he should punish the innocent tenants too. Tenant #2 might need keeping an eye on though....

If this is a joint tenancy the landlord has no way of legally enforcing the repair on one tenant, they have one contract, one deposit and are jointly and severally liable. Peer pressure is probably going to be the most effective way of extracting money.

Dragon_of_Consumer_Power

The locksmith reported back that the key was only 3/4 of the way into the lock, hence why it broke. The total repair was only c. £70, which is a relief.

Although there is only one AST, they each paid a separate deposit of £450. The question now is, as Tenant #2 broke the key in the lock and Tenant #3 broke down the door (causing the lock to break), who do I bill? £35 each?

Fire_Fox

Dragon_of_Consumer_Power wrote: »

The locksmith reported back that the key was only 3/4 of the way into the lock, hence why it broke. The total repair was only c. £70, which is a relief.

Although there is only one AST, they each paid a separate deposit of £450. The question now is, as Tenant #2 broke the key in the lock and Tenant #3 broke down the door (causing the lock to break), who do I bill? £35 each?

If they have a joint tenancy you bill the household, the tenants are jointly and severally liable for damage. It is up to them to establish who is responsible for what. If you start attributing blame when you were not present they can argue against your assessment and you could end up out of pocket.

It's usual to have one deposit lodged against one tenancy agreement and one inventory, are you saying you lodged all three separately with the deposit protection scheme??

G_M

Assuming a single 'joint and several' tenancy, then as has already been explained, you bill them all jointly.

ie you bill 'the Tenant' who is legally defined as A & B & C.

It is then a matter between them to allocate responsbility/cost.