Landlord breach of contract/law? - Keys

pmlindyloo

I am not trying to be funny but have you thought of trying to deal with this yourself?

I know it must be irritating not to have been given the keys but you have had 9 months to do something about it. Why are you suddenly asking 'is this a breach of contract? - curiosity or something else?

If this was your own property and the keys had gone missing then you would have probably:

Asked a neighbour with similar windows to borrow their key, check and then have copies made.
Removed the handle and taken it to a locksmith to match up a key.
Taken a picture and put it on the DYI forum to see if anyone can help.
Emailed the window makers with a picture and asked if they can help.

We are talking about a key or keys. Send the bill to the LL if you feel strongly. If it was that much of an emergency then you would have done something by now.

pmlindyloo

jamie11 wrote: »

Read this

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/56585403#Comment_56585403

Love your common sense quote

Rromans116

pmlindyloo wrote: »

I am not trying to be funny but have you thought of trying to deal with this yourself?

I know it must be irritating not to have been given the keys but you have had 9 months to do something about it. Why are you suddenly asking 'is this a breach of contract? - curiosity or something else?

If this was your own property and the keys had gone missing then you would have probably:

Asked a neighbour with similar windows to borrow their key, check and then have copies made.
Removed the handle and taken it to a locksmith to match up a key.
Taken a picture and put it on the DYI forum to see if anyone can help.
Emailed the window makers with a picture and asked if they can help.

We are talking about a key or keys. Send the bill to the LL if you feel strongly. If it was that much of an emergency then you would have done something by now.

Why would I deal with this myself when I am paying rent to reside in a property and its upkeep (as per the tenancy agreement).

Its not my own property...its rented which is the point if you read the op. I do not have time to go around chasing keys when it is not my responsibility...it is the principle of landlords/LA not treating tenants requests as small inconveniences which can be ignored, when they ultimately affect the agreement.

jamie11

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Love your common sense quote

Ta! The thing is these keys cost next to nothing, OP is making a mountain.................

Rromans116

jamie11 wrote: »

Ta! The thing is these keys cost next to nothing, OP is making a mountain.................

So if they are so easy to acquire i'm making a mountain if the landlord cannot provide...common sense, not even once.

jamie11

Rromans116 wrote: »

So if they are so easy to acquire i'm making a mountain if the landlord cannot provide...common sense, not even once.

Yes, they are easy to get. Take one of the upstairs handles off and take to a windows shop or an ironmongers and get a key to fit. You could then knock the cost off the rent. Tell your landlord/agent that you intend to do it though.

pmlindyloo

Rromans116 wrote: »

Why would I deal with this myself when I am paying rent to reside in a property and its upkeep (as per the tenancy agreement).

Its not my own property...its rented which is the point if you read the op. I do not have time to go around chasing keys when it is not my responsibility...it is the principle of landlords/LA not treating tenants requests as small inconveniences which can be ignored, when they ultimately affect the agreement.

I don't think anyone has denied that the landlord shouldn't be providing the keys.

But you are now chasing the landlord, the estate agent and getting narked because of this minor matter (in the grand scheme of things).

It is far less stressful to do something about it yourself. I am quite certain that if you really thought your life might be in danger you would have done something about it rather than face being burned to death.

Take your anger out in a letter reminding your LL of his duties if you wish and bill him for the keys but really life is too short...............

Kynthia

Rromans116 wrote: »

Why would I deal with this myself when I am paying rent to reside in a property and its upkeep (as per the tenancy agreement).

I believe the phrase is 'acting in a tenant like manner' or if you're genuinely worried about your safety you could sort it yourself for safety reasons rather than waiting due to some principle.

Renting a property is not staying in a hotel with on call room service and your every whim catered for. A tenant is meant to do some things themselves and a landlord only has certain obligations. I'm not saying whether they are right or wrong in this case but you have to deal with the situation as it is, and the situation is that you don't have keys. Perhaps the landlord hasn't got any keys or perhaps they don't think this is important enough for them to deal with, we don't know. According to Shelter, a landlord's main responsibilities are:

• the structure and exterior of the premises (such as walls, floors and window frames) and the drains, gutters and external pipes. If the property is a house, the essential means to access to it, such as steps from the street, are also included in ‘structure and exterior’. Garden paths and steps are also included
• water and gas pipes and electrical wiring (including, for example, taps and sockets)
• basins, sinks, baths and toilets
• fixed heaters (for example, gas fires) and water heaters but not gas or electric cookers (but see below).

So there's nothing about window keys and I'm not sure what you can do if the landlord refuses to respond or act. Therefore I'd suggest you deal with getting keys yourself.

G_M

I have to agree - mountain/molehill.

Given that the OP finds the problem so aggravating(I agree windows locked shut in summer....), AND for solong, I simply do not understand why he has not spent 10 minutes and £1 - £5 buying some replacement keys....

http://www.replacementkeys.co.uk/window?gclid=CObZ19Wa_roCFSKWtAodhEkA3g

Why would I deal with this myself when I am paying rent to reside in a property and its upkeep (as per the tenancy agreement).

Yes, the LL should supply them, but... for goodness sake!