One key, protected from cutting

BigAunty

thesaint wrote: »

You have no contract with the person who sent you the bill.

The OP has a contract with the landlord and obligations enshrined in housing law to act in a tenant like manner and pay for expenses relating to the accommodation that result from his behaviour so whether he pays the bill directly or it gets deducted from his deposit, the deduction is legitimate.

For example, a tenant may get their landlord to call out a plumber for a blocked sink but if it is found to be caused by a build up of food debris, then the tenant pays whereas if it was a faulty pipe, the landlord must pick up the tab.

The OP had the right to call out a locksmith off his own bat but perhaps contacted the letting agent because of his mistaken expection that it was their responsibility or a free service or wasn't aware that he could have done so.

SerialRenter

thesaint wrote: »

You have no contract with the person who sent you the bill.

Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure the bill sender knows where they live.

BigAunty

SerialRenter wrote: »

Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure the bill sender knows where they live.

Indeed - No one directly signs a contract with the HMRC to pay tax, nor signs a document with the local council that obliges them to pay council tax but that doesn't stop them from getting money out of households!

greensalad

SerialRenter wrote: »

Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure the bill sender knows where they live.

And knows how to get into my house without breaking locks :rotfl:

greensalad

BigAunty wrote: »

The OP has a contract with the landlord and obligations enshrined in housing law to act in a tenant like manner and pay for expenses relating to the accommodation that result from his behaviour so whether he pays the bill directly or it gets deducted from his deposit, the deduction is legitimate.

For example, a tenant may get their landlord to call out a plumber for a blocked sink but if it is found to be caused by a build up of food debris, then the tenant pays whereas if it was a faulty pipe, the landlord must pick up the tab.

The OP had the right to call out a locksmith off his own bat but perhaps contacted the letting agent because of his mistaken expection that it was their responsibility or a free service or wasn't aware that he could have done so.

I contacted them because I figured it would be sensible that if they were open, they would have a key (for viewings) and could let me in. Maybe I ask too much of people to be sensible and kind to others though...

thesaint

BigAunty wrote: »

The OP has a contract with the landlord and obligations enshrined in housing law to act in a tenant like manner

There is no such thing enshrined in housing law.
I understand there is caselaw though.

BigAunty wrote: »

so whether he pays the bill directly or it gets deducted from his deposit, the deduction is legitimate.

If the money was applied to the tenants deposit, it may be legitimate.

It is not as black and white as you make out.
The fact remains that the OP does not have to pay this carpenter a penny.

SerialRenter wrote: »

Call me crazy, but I'm pretty sure the bill sender knows where they live.

BigAunty wrote: »

Indeed - No one directly signs a contract with the HMRC to pay tax, nor signs a document with the local council that obliges them to pay council tax but that doesn't stop them from getting money out of households!

Now it is clear you both don't understand the laws of the land. That explains your position more clearly.

Paully232000

I would second (or third) getting a new lock. I just bought one for each of my house doors a month ago for £20 each.
A quick 2 minute you-tube video clip and all three changed in about 10 minutes, and I am no way a DIYer.
All locks came with fixing screws, three keys and a security code should i ever need to get new keys cut.

You can use them in this house, and if you ever move into another rented house (or bought house) after this one you can take it with you and change that new lock straight away

BigAunty

thesaint wrote: »

There is no such thing enshrined in housing law.
I understand there is caselaw though.



If the money was applied to the tenants deposit, it may be legitimate.

It is not as black and white as you make out.
The fact remains that the OP does not have to pay this carpenter a penny.





Now it is clear you both don't understand the laws of the land. That explains your position more clearly.

So we are agreed then - the OP has an obligation to pay for the call out charge to get him back into the property whereever this legal obligation is found (case law, housing law, whatever).

If he fails to pay the bill directly (his option) then the landlord is perfectly entitled to deduct the charge from his deposit and trying to challenge it in the small claims court or via the deposit scheme dispute service will be a waste of time.

The OP must foot the bill for his own negligence in leaving the key in the property.

greensalad

Paully232000 wrote: »

I would second (or third) getting a new lock. I just bought one for each of my house doors a month ago for £20 each.
A quick 2 minute you-tube video clip and all three changed in about 10 minutes, and I am no way a DIYer.
All locks came with fixing screws, three keys and a security code should i ever need to get new keys cut.

You can use them in this house, and if you ever move into another rented house (or bought house) after this one you can take it with you and change that new lock straight away

Did it require an electric drill? I don't have any tools aside from a crappy set of screwdrivers and a never ending Mary Poppins drawer of allen keys. (I asked for a drill for Christmas but oddly nobody got me one? Perhaps it's not acceptable to buy a 22 year old girl a drill for Christmas). Just trying to keep the cost down as I obviously have a £100 bill to pay plus I will only be in this property until June now, perhaps earlier.

Paully232000

No any old set of screwdrivers will do. I just used a philips head screwdriver and an allen key. Nothing more than that required.