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One key, protected from cutting

When I moved into my property I was only given one key (it's just me on my own). Being a fairly sensible person, I went to get a second key cut and planned to leave it with my best friend who lives up the road in case of emergencies. It's a yale lock so if the door slams I'm shut out...

Except when I went to the key cutters they told me that the key was protected with a special code and could not be reproduced without the LL's permission (and required filling in a form which cost £30 and I did not have the permission to do). I contacted the lettings agents and they said no, I could not have another key.

Well, inevitably one day it happened as I foolishly slammed the door before realising I left my key on my desk. I understand it was my fault but stuff happens... I'm pretty sure everyone has managed it at one point during their lives.

It was a Saturday evening (about 5pm) and I realised immediately. I called my letting agents but no answer. So I called the number they listed in their answerphone as an emergency contact and they sent out a carpenter (not a locksmith but apparently the best they could do). He managed to get me into the property in about 3 minutes by using what was essentially a glorified hook to pull the yale handle down and pop the door open.

A week later I got a bill for £100 for this.

Now I know that it was my fault but I also kinda feel a bit irritated that this could have been avoided if they just let me have a spare key like is sensible. On the phone I found them to be quite rude as the three people I spoke to constantly asked me the same questions; is anyone coming back to the property, can you wait? Does anyone have a spare? It irritated me because I felt like they were treating me like I was using a locksmith is an easy fix?! I'm a fairly sensible person and I'm not going to immediately call the emergency number if my boyfriend is going to be back in 3 hours and I have to sit on the doorstep or anything... but I had NO other option!

My question is, is there anything I can do to get the lettings agent to pay the bill, or at least a portion of it? I already asked and they said no immediately but I'm wondering if there is anything I can do...
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Comments

  • Pixie5740
    Pixie5740 Posts: 14,515 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Eighth Anniversary Name Dropper Photogenic
    I think you're liable for the bill as you locked yourself out. £100 sounds steep but I guess it was out of hours.

    Could you change the barrel in the lock and therefore have as many sets of keys as you want and then just change the barrel back before you leave?
  • BigAunty
    BigAunty Posts: 8,310 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    No, its an obligation of the tenant to pay for expenses that were related to their behaviour and paying for a locksmith when you've lost/forgotten the key is your responsibility.
  • Reue
    Reue Posts: 569 Forumite
    Change the lock and get as many keys for it as you want.

    As for getting the agency to pay for the locksmith - no chance.
  • Pixie has the right idea.

    Get yourself a new lock, they're easy to fit and if you need a guide there are many of them on your search engine of choice.

    Letting agents don't need to know, just keep the old lock to one side and refit it when you eventually move out.
    *Assuming you're in England or Wales.
  • greensalad
    greensalad Posts: 2,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Pixie has the right idea.

    Get yourself a new lock, they're easy to fit and if you need a guide there are many of them on your search engine of choice.

    Letting agents don't need to know, just keep the old lock to one side and refit it when you eventually move out.

    Thanks, this is a good idea.

    I know it's a hard chance getting the lettings agent to pay, I'm just a bit irritated that a) it cost so much for something which was not skilled (a stick with a hook on the end...) and b) they won't even let me have a spare in order to be sensible about it.
  • noh
    noh Posts: 5,817 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    greensalad wrote: »
    ....
    a) it cost so much for something which was not skilled (a stick with a hook on the end...) ......

    If no skill or knowledge was required you could have done it yourself at no cost.
  • ACG
    ACG Posts: 24,699 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper I've helped Parliament
    greensalad wrote: »
    When I moved into my property I was only given one key (it's just me on my own). Being a fairly sensible person, I went to get a second key cut and planned to leave it with my best friend who lives up the road in case of emergencies. It's a yale lock so if the door slams I'm shut out...

    Except when I went to the key cutters they told me that the key was protected with a special code and could not be reproduced without the LL's permission (and required filling in a form which cost £30 and I did not have the permission to do). I contacted the lettings agents and they said no, I could not have another key.

    Well, inevitably one day it happened as I foolishly slammed the door before realising I left my key on my desk. I understand it was my fault but stuff happens... I'm pretty sure everyone has managed it at one point during their lives.

    It was a Saturday evening (about 5pm) and I realised immediately. I called my letting agents but no answer. So I called the number they listed in their answerphone as an emergency contact and they sent out a carpenter (not a locksmith but apparently the best they could do). He managed to get me into the property in about 3 minutes by using what was essentially a glorified hook to pull the yale handle down and pop the door open.

    A week later I got a bill for £100 for this.

    Now I know that it was my fault but I also kinda feel a bit irritated that this could have been avoided if they just let me have a spare key like is sensible. On the phone I found them to be quite rude as the three people I spoke to constantly asked me the same questions; is anyone coming back to the property, can you wait? Does anyone have a spare? It irritated me because I felt like they were treating me like I was using a locksmith is an easy fix?! I'm a fairly sensible person and I'm not going to immediately call the emergency number if my boyfriend is going to be back in 3 hours and I have to sit on the doorstep or anything... but I had NO other option!

    My question is, is there anything I can do to get the lettings agent to pay the bill, or at least a portion of it? I already asked and they said no immediately but I'm wondering if there is anything I can do...
    I dont think there is anything you can do, however if it helps when i rented a property it had a yale lock. I always had a coat hanger in my car. If i locked myself out, the girl next door (or anyone with a small forarm) could get her arm through the letterbox and hook the coat hanger over the catch and pull it open.
    I am a Mortgage Adviser
    You should note that this site doesn't check my status as a mortgage adviser, so you need to take my word for it. This signature is here as I follow MSE's Mortgage Adviser Code of Conduct. Any posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as financial advice.
  • newbutold
    newbutold Posts: 753 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts
    As everyone else has said, you have no chance of getting the agent to pay the bill. As it is a Yale lock though, you should be able to quite easily & cheaply change the barrel of the lock for a new one from your local d.i.y. store. Keep the old barrel, so that when you move out you can simple replace the old lock barrel and no-one will be any the wiser.
    If my posts have random wrong words, please blame the damn autocorrect not me :D
  • thesaint
    thesaint Posts: 4,324 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    You have no contract with the person who sent you the bill.
    Well life is harsh, hug me don't reject me.
  • greensalad
    greensalad Posts: 2,530 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    noh wrote: »
    If no skill or knowledge was required you could have done it yourself at no cost.

    I could have but it's a bit difficult to get a coat hanger or something to open the lock when all your coat hangers are inside your property!
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