Estate Agent Failed to Return Keys

ste_jh

Hi everyone,

I'm posting on behalf of a friend. He missed a planned inspection with his letting agent and so they required a new date AND for him to hand over his keys to them to inspect the property (bit odd, as I believe they have spare keys) it was agreed the keys would be posted through the letter box on completion of the inspection (external to the flat - and which my friend has separate keys for). When my friend got back in the evening, the keys weren't in the letter box! So I had to put him up for the night.

My question is - where does he stand in terms of claiming compensation? A big inconvenience for him and a minor inconvenience for me. For example, if I wrote out a receipt for his stay - could he claim it back? I presume probably not but I'm not sure. If not through this avenue, does he have grounds to claim compensation any other way?

The letting agent, as I'm sure almost all are, are only to quick to charge any fee (no matter how ridiculous - a call out charge recently after the washing machine in his flat started leaking) but I imagine getting any money out of them will prove tricky. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks.

BitterAndTwisted

Anybody who hands over their only set of keys to another person is a ruddy fool. Especially when having keys cut can be as cheap as chips.

I suspect your friend is going to get nowhere in asking for compo but that shouldn't prevent them from reading them the Riot Act. BUT it's entirely possible that the agent was completely unaware that they were given the only set your friend had. I also wouldn't be allowing any inspections unless I was there in person.

G_M

If the friend had no other keys, and told the agent to put the keys through the letter box, how did he expect to get back in.......??

Just ask for the keys back.

If he does not get them, change the lock.

Oh, and get a spare set cut to give to you!

dodger1

ste_jh wrote: »

The letting agent, as I'm sure almost all are, are only to quick to charge any fee (no matter how ridiculous - a call out charge recently after the washing machine in his flat started leaking) but I imagine getting any money out of them will prove tricky. Any suggestions would be great!

Thanks.

Are you saying the letting agent charged a call out fee for the leak, if so tell your friend not to pay it. As far as compensation is concerned, don't even waste time thinking about it.

Guest101

Unless he's worried notice would get served, he should just refuse inspections and then there's no fees to pay!

thesaint

You charged a friend to stay the night? Wow.