Reasonable time to receive keys to a property

pmlindyloo

I agree with Lazydaisy.

Legally there does not seem to be any time 'rules' as it were.

I absolutely agree with your belief that they are doing the checkout/cleaning on the Monday. Very silly as if there are any repairs then they won't have time to do them.

Personally I would be sticking to what you have decided and arriving there in the morning. There may be a way of getting your stuff in to the accommodation without interfering with what they are doing. There may be a neighbour whop would store things. Is there a garage/front garden?

One of the reasons I wouldn't delay going until the afternoon is that this way you may have control over anything that needs doing/move in earlier if everything is perfect etc etc.

greensalad

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I agree with Lazydaisy.

Legally there does not seem to be any time 'rules' as it were.

I absolutely agree with your belief that they are doing the checkout/cleaning on the Monday. Very silly as if there are any repairs then they won't have time to do them.

Personally I would be sticking to what you have decided and arriving there in the morning. There may be a way of getting your stuff in to the accommodation without interfering with what they are doing. There may be a neighbour whop would store things. Is there a garage/front garden?

One of the reasons I wouldn't delay going until the afternoon is that this way you may have control over anything that needs doing/move in earlier if everything is perfect etc etc.

There is a small courtyard. I think I am going to show up at 10am, unload into the courtyard... no doubt I will see cleaners or builders going in and out!!! I just hope it doesn't rain.

I was really just hoping there was some sort of reasonable time. It seems unfair to deny someone access to a property they are technically renting. My contract deems I am allowed to be in the property... I mean, is it breaking and entering if it's your own house?! :rotfl: (that was a joke!)

pmlindyloo

greensalad wrote: »

There is a small courtyard. I think I am going to show up at 10am, unload into the courtyard... no doubt I will see cleaners or builders going in and out!!! I just hope it doesn't rain.

I was really just hoping there was some sort of reasonable time. It seems unfair to deny someone access to a property they are technically renting. My contract deems I am allowed to be in the property... I mean, is it breaking and entering if it's your own house?! :P

Good idea.

I suppose technically it isn't your property until you are formally given the keys.

However, as in all things, there are usually sensible people who will help out. Let's hope you find a few of these when you arrive.

Hope the remainder of your tenancy is stress free

zzzLazyDaisy

Maybe an alternative (apologies if you have already tried this) is to ask the agents if you can leave your belongings in the morning, but not formally move in until later in the day. If they have cleaners etc coming and going in the morning, they may not mind if you store all your stuff in one room until they are done?

They only other thing I can think of is sleep in the van on Sunday night, so you can keep it a few hours longer!

greensalad

zzzLazyDaisy wrote: »

Maybe an alternative (apologies if you have already tried this) is to ask the agents if you can leave your belongings in the morning, but not formally move in until later in the day. If they have cleaners etc coming and going in the morning, they may not mind if you store all your stuff in one room until they are done?

They only other thing I can think of is sleep in the van on Sunday night, so you can keep it a few hours longer!

Yep, I asked. I said could I leave furniture and some suitcases. They said no. Ugh, lettings agents!

Werdnal

If there is no "start" time specified, only the date, then by default your tenancy starts at the beginning of that 24 hour day, ie 1 minute past midnight.

I am very surprised they have not left atleast a full day between tenants leaving and you taking residence - how can they be 100% sure the property will not require major redecorating and everything will be 100% working and usable condition. They may be sending in cleaners, but you will then possibly be moving in with wet carpets and tacky paintwork!

Leaving aside your moving in question, I would go through the place with a fine tooth comb when you finally get the keys, as tenants only leaving the day before, may open up a whole can of worms which the LL/agent may not have been aware of during the tenancy! Make sure the inventory you are given highlights any problems, damage, missing items or anything requiring cleaning, and add/amend it to reflect anything you do not agree with, otherwise there will be no record at the end, and you may get charged against your deposit! You may have a time constraint over your van hire, but don't be tempted to rush everything in and accept the property on face value - it is very difficult to prove dirt or damage was there BEFORE you moved in, once you are actually in!

Whilst in an ideal world, landlord would not have to suffer a void between lets, it is never wise to have a move out/move in without allowing adequate time to ensure the property is clean and fault free.

dizzydonkeys

More to the point what if the current tenants don't actually leave? I think I would be looking for somewhere to put your stuff 'just in case'.
LL will be responsible for your living costs etc as will be in breach of contract.
Just something else to stress you out sorry but I have seen it happen more than once - turn up to collect keys late afternoon to find you can't have keys as previous occupiers have gone nowhere and actually have no intention of going until physically dragged out kicking and screaming by the courts.
Good Luck