Reasonable time to receive keys to a property

greensalad

Hello all,

So I am renting a new property from 1st July. I have hired a van for the weekend and have to give it back at 1pm on the 1st July.

My lettings agents just contacted me to say I can have the keys to my new property at 4.30pm on the 1st July...

I really don't think this is fair, especially as it is so late in the day. I will not have a van and need to move in in the morning.

Considering I am paying rent, are the lettings agents legally required to give me the keys at a reasonable time in the day? I don't expect them to give me the keys at 00.01 on the 1st, but at least by 11am I expect to be able to enter the property, I am paying rent on it afterall. If they can't give me the keys until 4.30pm I kinda feel they should refund me the lost 16 hours of the 24 hour day I'm renting for...

Is there anything I can do?

pmlindyloo

This may seem a daft question but have you asked them why you can't get the keys until so late?

If the previous tenants are not moving out until that day then this isn't correct. Their tenancy should end on the previous day.

I am sure if you explain the situation then they will let you have them earlier.

Another possibility is that they are cleaning/doing repairs. Check and see what the reason is then negotiate.

greensalad

I asked when the previous tenants were moving out (as I had requested to move in a day early). They said they leave on the evening of the 30th June. That's fair enough.

I can understand they may be doing cleaning, but this has put me in a sticky situation. If they need a day to do cleaning and repairs, they shouldn't be letting out the property until the 2nd July, IMO.

I've contacted them asking and have explained, but they said no.

I don't even mind if they are repairing things when I get there, as long as I can dump my boxes and small items of furniture in (bookcases etc) I wouldn't mind.

It just seems unfair to not give someone the keys until 16 hours into the rental period.

BitterAndTwisted

Have you tried to speak to the outgoing tenants? Maybe they will let you have a spare key on or before the 30th of this month so you can start moving your stuff first thing on the 1st ?

My view is that if you are paying the rent from the 1st of July then you should have access first thing in the morning on that day. But if you have already made arrangements to move in on the 1st then it wouldn't suit for the tenancy to now start on the 2nd.
I would warn them now, IN WRITING, that you inetnd to be on the agent's doorstep first thing in the morning of the 1st to collect they keys and you'll be grateful if they could make arrangements for the keys to be available to you.

No agent wants an ingoing tenant making a fuss in their office in front of their other clients.

pmlindyloo

And what was the reason they gave?

If they are cleaning/doing repairs then is there any where that you can leave your bits and pieces while they finish? One of the rooms for instance?

You really need to know because if it is about repairs then you need to check that they will be finished by 4.30pm. If the repairs aren't finished in time and you cannot use the house (because there's no water etc) then it would be perfectly reasonable to ask for a refund for the time you cannot use it. Some might argue that the LL should pay for a B&B if the accommodation is unfit for purpose.

You need to find out why and go from there.

greensalad

They haven't given a reason. They just said 4.30pm is the earliest, no explanation. I am pushing for one but they are ignoring me now.

pmlindyloo

Have you signed a tenancy agreement yet/paid a deposit/paid a holding deposit?

zzzLazyDaisy

Can you extend the hire of the van for another day?

I'm not suggesting that you give up on your principles but the reality is that you have a moving date and if the agent doesn't budge, you are going to have keys and no transport. Even if you got the keys at 10am, it may still be a tight turnaround to unload your stuff and get the van back by 1pm.

greensalad

It comes down to a matter of money really. Van hire is quite expensive. This might have to be an option, but I am really struggling to afford it.

967stuart

Why not just call them and say you want the keys in the morning???

dotdash79

How long are you needing a van for? B&Q do a hire by the hour service might be worth using that.