Sell second key to letting agency?

richierich052

Hi all,

Looking for some information regarding a key that I had cut to a property that I'm renting.

Myself and partner only received one key when we moved into our rented property. This caused massive problems as we both work different times. Therefore we had to get a key cut, for which we asked the letting agency's and building's permission. It cost about £35 and after about a year at the property we have decided to move out.

My question is, do I ask the letting agency to pay me back for the key? Obviously I don't want to keep it but we have been treated so poorly by the agency (currently in a legal dispute) that I don't want to hand them something that I had to pay for as they weren't good enough to supply us with one.

Do I have grounds to ask for the £35 or should I just hand it over?

Many thanks...

DRP

richierich052 wrote: »

Hi all,

Looking for some information regarding a key that I had cut to a property that I'm renting.

Myself and partner only received one key when we moved into our rented property. This caused massive problems as we both work different times. Therefore we had to get a key cut, for which we asked the letting agency's and building's permission. It cost about £35 and after about a year at the property we have decided to move out.

My question is, do I ask the letting agency to pay me back for the key? Obviously I don't want to keep it but we have been treated so poorly by the agency (currently in a legal dispute) that I don't want to hand them something that I had to pay for as they weren't good enough to supply us with one.

Do I have grounds to ask for the £35 or should I just hand it over?

Many thanks...

It is your key...

Keep it unless they pay you.

ognum

I would just throw it away!

[Deleted User]

You can try but if the letting agency were happy to hand you one key, I can't see them paying you for a second key. I had a similiar situation with a fob key.., and yes it caused problems but we just had to manage because at the time I couldn't afford the high cost to have another one made. LA landlord just looked at me when I asked for a second one lolol.

Lokolo

You paid £35 to get a key cut?!

StuC75

you could always ask.. since you are only obligated to return the one key provided (thats what there expecting back).

Rather than 'throwing away', I would recommend taking a hammer to it so its unusable ~ and cannot be straighted out.. Give it back to them that way.. so they cannot get any use from it but know that its not then an ongoing risk you having that key.

N1AK

Lokolo wrote: »

You paid £35 to get a key cut?!

Certain types of security key are charged at a premium so £35 isn't as insane as it sounds hopefully.

I wouldn't give them a key I had spent £35 on for nothing, especially as I would expect them to provide two keys if renting to a couple. You can tell them they can have it for a fee or you'll discard it.

Either that or wait till the next tenant is in and see if they want it, then see how happy the tenant is with the LL that someone else had a key to their house!

Norman_Castle

Offer it to them and advise it would be cheaper than replacing the locks as a previous tenant still has a key.

richierich052

N1AK wrote: »

Certain types of security key are charged at a premium so £35 isn't as insane as it sounds hopefully.

I wouldn't give them a key I had spent £35 on for nothing, especially as I would expect them to provide two keys if renting to a couple. You can tell them they can have it for a fee or you'll discard it.

Either that or wait till the next tenant is in and see if they want it, then see how happy the tenant is with the LL that someone else had a key to their house!

Yeah it was a "special type" of key and I had to fill out a form with a serial number on it and wait 3 weeks for it to be cut. The flat has two bedrooms and bathrooms so in my opinion should come with two keys.

I'll take your advice and tell them I have it. If they pay me for it I'll give it them, otherwise I'll dispose of it myself. We've had a year's worth of use out of it I suppose.

eddddy

richierich052 wrote: »

Yeah it was a "special type" of key and I had to fill out a form with a serial number on it and wait 3 weeks for it to be cut. The flat has two bedrooms and bathrooms so in my opinion should come with two keys.

I'll take your advice and tell them I have it. If they pay me for it I'll give it them, otherwise I'll dispose of it myself. We've had a year's worth of use out of it I suppose.

Hi richierich

Your idea seems reasonable... the only problem might be if there was a future burglary where it seems like the burglar used a key. The police might want to question you to find out what you did with the key.

It seems a little petty, but I guess you could return the key to the LL cut in half.

(As an aside, I'm guessing this is a key for a communal entrance - hence the 'special security measures'. I'm surprised they gave you the serial number and let you fill in the form. Normally the mgmt co would keep the serial number secret, so that only they can get new keys cut - and keep a tight control on who the keys are given out to.)

Prothet_of_Doom

I'd send the new tennant a letter, explaining that for £20 they can have a second key, and if they decline put it on ebay and send them a link.


(Joking about the second bit - Keep it, and after 3 months send them a second letter)