What can a tenant do if estate/letting agent imposes unfair terms?

srh1

Hello there, I am a tenant with an estate agency who are refusing to give me a key to access a communal metering cupboard. Their policy of not giving a key to tenants is not stated anywhere in our contract. Also speaking to a few people in the block I have found out some people do have the key to access the electric metering cupboard. I read some stories on here where someone's immersion heater timer broke and kept the heater on 24/7 resulting in a massive electric bill. I am getting worried about this now if the same thing happens to me I will have no way of knowing until it is too late, at which point the agent(scumbags) will say they hold no liability of my bills. :mad:

I have already taken this matter to a redress scheme they're registered under but I am not too sure if they can do much. If I am not happy with the redress scheme's outcome what option do I have in court or with trading standards? Anyone had any experience where a letting agent has imposed terms out of contract, what did you do and what was the outcome? They use health and safety as an excuse which I really don't understand.

Thanks,

kinger101

B&Q sell universal keys. On a more serious note, why not borrow one from someone else and get one cut.

davidmcn

srh1 wrote: »

speaking to a few people in the block I have found out some people do have the key to access the electric metering cupboard.

Then either get a copy made, or just borrow their key?

G_M

kinger101 wrote: »

B&Q sell universal keys

One option!

more seriously:

a) buy a key. This may work, or if a different meter cupboard, use google for various keys.

b) ask the neighbour who has a key to let you borrow it. Take to locksmith and get a copy made.

c) get neighbour to open cupboard. remove lock and replace with your own. Get X keys cut for the new lock and give one to each flat.

d) pay locksmith to visit and either give you a key as b) above or open cupboard and change lock as c) above

srh1

kinger101 wrote: »

B&Q sell universal keys. On a more serious note, why not borrow one from someone else and get one cut.

This key will probably get me into trouble...although there are no cameras around.

srh1

davidmcn wrote: »

Then either get a copy made, or just borrow their key?

They live on a different floor, every floor has its own communal cupboard.

kinger101

What type of lock is it?

srh1

G_M wrote: »

One option!

more seriously:

a) buy a key. This may work, or if a different meter cupboard, use google for various keys.

b) ask the neighbour who has a key to let you borrow it. Take to locksmith and get a copy made.

c) get neighbour to open cupboard. remove lock and replace with your own. Get X keys cut for the new lock and give one to each flat.

Unfortunately, it is not a standard key. The cupboard has a Eurospec lock. The people who have a key live on different floors and every floor has its own metering cupboard.

If this lock was to break open and replaced. How much trouble can one get into?

srh1

kinger101 wrote: »

What type of lock is it?

Eurospec/ES mp5 i think

kinger101

If it's a standard yale type cylinder, you might want to google "lock bumping". No need to break anything.

srh1

kinger101 wrote: »

If it's a standard yale type cylinder, you might want to google "lock bumping". No need to break anything.

Tried already and doesn't work or I am just not good at it.