Landlords Keys

Guest101

AleMrsT wrote: »

Ah, in that case, I agree with you. (I work for a letting agent). Ask them for proof of postage for the letter they sent (most agents use email these days as it is easy to keep the sent item for proof that it was sent), and say that until they can agree to confirm ALL appointments with you IN WRITING,24 hours prior to them taking place, as they are required by law to give you required notice, then you are not in a position to provide them with a key, as they have already shown that they are willing to breach your quiet enjoyment of the property.

Lets say it did prevent it. What would you do?

Go to court over it?

It's quite pathetic really.

The LL doesnt need a key. In an emergency call the emergency services. If for whatever reason you happen to be passing and notice an emergency.

Otherwise agree access with the tenant.

t0rt0ise

I live in a Housing Association property. The HA doesn't hold keys to any of its occupied properties. I would feel very uncomfortable if they did. How could you relax knowing that someone could come in at any time? It's appalling that any landlord is allowed to keep a key.

I do feel for the OP as they are risking their tenancy by not giving in. This is why we need a new rule that says tenants can't be evicted for speaking up.

franklee

What type of lock is it? If it's one that you can change the cylinder in a few minutes then what I'd do is change the lock back to the landlord's lock, email the agent to say they have a key as the old lock is reinstated. State in writing that they attempted to access your home without letting you know as you didn't get any letter, include that you wish to be present for all visits so they are not to come without confirming an appointment with you. Ask for written confirmation they will abide by that from now on. Then live mostly with your lock but pop the landlord's lock back in when an inspection is due.

You could also buy a shed alarm (small portable alarm) and leave it by the door.

Don't forget to reinstate the landlord's lock at the end of your tenancy so there can be no argument about damage, the standard of lock or number of keys.

If they ever do let themselves in without your permission query what happened to the cash you have taken from the cashpoint and have a receipt for that you are sure you left in your dressing table drawer, leave said cash hidden elsewhere

KILL_BILL

i had this experince where the agents would state that they wuld come round and give the impression that even though it was inconvenient they could do wehat they like.

I changed the locks and told them that - they threated breach of contract blah blah blah that they would charge me for changing the locks but they never did - then they pleaded and pleaded to be giving a key and they tried to get round the fact that they where coming round uninvited - they promised never to do it again !!!

so even if their is a clause "within the contract that yu cant change locks" you can do so but changethelock back when you leave -

take for instance if you didnt change the locks and one of the previous tenants entered in whilst you where out - do you think your insurer would pay up

you would have to prove that you were not negligent