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

G_M

like this?

http://www.key2lock.co.uk/Portal.aspx?page=94&cat=271&prod=8637

Are you sure each cupboard has a separate key? Upstairs key might fit......

No one else on your floor?

You could always get a locksmith round.

If you remove the lock,
* you'd be liable for any other damage eg if the door got broken too
* you'd be liable for any 'consequential loss' by the landlord. So
i) give him (or agent) a replacement key
ii) keep the original lock (if not broken) so you can put it back when your tenancy ends or offer it to the LL
iii) he might try to charge you for replacing the (new) lock with another, but I don't see how that could stand up in court, provided he has a new key.

Out of interest, how does the utility company get access to read the meters?

srh1

G_M wrote: »

like this?

http://www.key2lock.co.uk/Portal.aspx?page=94&cat=271&prod=8637

Are you sure each cupboard has a separate key? Upstairs key might fit......

No one else on your floor?

You could always get a locksmith round.

If you remove the lock,
* you'd be liable for any other damage eg if the door got broken too
* you'd be liable for any 'consequential loss' by the landlord. So
i) give him (or agent) a replacement key
ii) keep the original lock (if not broken) so you can put it back when your tenancy ends or offer it to the LL
iii) he might try to charge you for replacing the (new) lock with another, but I don't see how that could stand up in court, provided he has a new key.

Out of interest, how does the utility company get access to read the meters?

Yes, that kind of lock.

I'll try the upstairs key. Can they not take legal action against me for trespassing or something as I would've changed the lock and essentially broken into a restricted area?

The utility company comes every 2 years so they just organise a date and the letting agent opens it for them. Everytime I ask them to give me a meter reading, the agent is either late or never gives me a reading.

Norman_Castle

Try the upstairs key but don't change the lock. You would prevent access by others if you did this. How would residents with pre payment meters get access?

HappyMJ

The property most likely has a freeholder which has employed a managing agent to manage the property. The managing agent's name and phone number should be displayed on a notice board. I would get on to them and get a key.

bod1467

Isn't that (managing agent) who the OP is talking about / having trouble with? (I know OP calls them the "estate agent" but I suspect OP means "managing agent")

kinger101

bod1467 wrote: »

Isn't that (managing agent) who the OP is talking about / having trouble with? (I know OP calls them the "estate agent" but I suspect OP means "managing agent")

That would make sense....can't see why the EA could be bothered with the hassle of arranging meter readings.

eddddy

bod1467 wrote: »

Isn't that (managing agent) who the OP is talking about / having trouble with? (I know OP calls them the "estate agent" but I suspect OP means "managing agent")

I suspect the OP is asking the estate agent (letting agent)... but it's the Freeholder's Managing Agent who controls/issues keys for the communal meter cupboard.

And the Managing Agent might only deal with leaseholders, and not their tenants (i.e. not the OP)


So I suspect the OP needs to request a key from the letting agent...
... who needs to request a key from the Landlord (who is also the leaseholder)
... who needs to request a key from the managing agent - and probably pay £10 to £25 for it (if it's a coded key)


So it could be the letting agent, Landlord or Managing Agent that's the bottleneck.


(FWIW, I think it would be a bad idea to break/change the freeholder's lock - especially as it's very unclear whether the Freeholder's Managing Agent is at fault.)

sheff6107

They should supply you a meter reading within a reasonable timescale if you ask. A lot of people need a meter reading every month now as a condition of their supply.

It would be breach of quiet enjoyment of the property ie. an interference with a tenant’s right to possession to refuse to give you meter readings.

Miss_Samantha

sheff6107 wrote: »

It would be breach of quiet enjoyment of the property ie. an interference with a tenant’s right to possession to refuse to give you meter readings.

Would it? The meter is not even located in the demised property.

Guest101

Miss_Samantha wrote: »

Would it? The meter is not even located in the demised property.

Im in two minds about this.


Absolutely there doesn't appear to be a right to access the cupboard, it's not in the property, not the property of either the LL or the Tenant.


However it is reasonable to have regular meter readings, and by refusing this they are preventing the full enjoyment of the property (perhaps by the tenants not heating sufficiently due to fear of a large bill)


To be honest I don't see why they'd refuse.