Letting Agent pressuring to give spare keys

missbunty

Looking for some advice. I've given notice on my flat 3 months before moving out (even though per contract I only had to give one) but the estate agent hasn't started advertising the property until about 3 weeks ago and I am moving out in 2.5 weeks. They're now pressuring me to provide them with spare keys. My partner has the second (and only other) set of keys and doesn't necessarily need them anymore but I still don't feel like it's my responsibility to provide an agent with keys! I have been very accomodating for viewings and told them when I am available before and after work during the week, as well as offering weekends and when I have days off. I am not comfortable with strangers trampling through my flat with all of my belongings on show especially since I can't lock valuables away. I'm wondering if an agent can insist on spare keys? If something got stolen - would the estate agent be liable? Or would I basically be out of pocket?

EDITED: the LA just called my Landlord and complained about me, basically stating that they have the right to enter my flat if they give 24hrs notice. I am fuming! After doing some research it seems that while they can REQUEST access by giving at least 24 hrs notice, it doesn't give them the right to enter if I do not give my consent. I told my Landlord that I will not be providing the LA with spare keys, especially not with such an attitude. Ridiculous!

theartfullodger

Simply thank them for their kind request but decline, say no. End of.

ThePants999

Absolutely no requirement that you give them keys. If you don't feel comfortable doing it, don't do it.

stator

They can't force you, just ignore them

diggingdude

You could sell them the keys? See what they say

Red-Squirrel_2

Just ignore, don't answer the calls, don't reply to emails, you're so close to moving out this is just pointless hassle.

G_M

missbunty wrote: »

.........They're now pressuring me to provide them with spare keys.

This seems a reasonable request. One of thee purposes of notice by a tenant is to provide the LL with the opportunity to inspect and/or do viewings for potential new tenants.


You may also have consented to
a) provide keys and/or
b) provide access in the last month for viewngs when you signed the contract.



......I still don't feel like it's my responsibility to provide an agent with keys!
I'm guessing you changed the locks? If so, what does your contract say?
If I'm wrong the LL /agent should really have kept a set.



I have been very accomodating for viewings and told them when I am available before and after work during the week, as well as offering weekends and when I have days off.

I agree that is reasonable - but what does your contract say?


I am not comfortable with strangers trampling through my flat with all of my belongings on show especially since I can't lock valuables away.

That's also reasonable.



I'm wondering if an agent can insist on spare keys?

What does the contact say?
Though having said that, the time and cost involved in enforcing their right to a key is in reality imprctical


If something got stolen - would the estate agent be liable? Or would I basically be out of pocket?
Hmmm ... making and enforcing a claim would be hard. Insurance?



EDITED: the LA just called my Landlord and complained about me, basically stating that they have the right to enter my flat if they give 24hrs notice.
Probably true. Read the contract.


I am fuming! After doing some research it seems that while they can REQUEST access by giving at least 24 hrs notice, it doesn't give them the right to enter if I do not give my consent.
You cannot assume this. What does the contract say?



I told my Landlord that I will not be providing the LA with spare keys, especially not with such an attitude. Ridiculous!

.........................................................................

missbunty

Hi G_M

I have not changed the locks, the LA simply didn't retain any spare keys of the property. It's not my duty to provide these to them!

Also - my contract clause says I need to allow access for viewings on a reasonable number of occasions during the last six weeks of the tenancy, which I have been doing. 2 days/a week is reasonable! I've taken it to the Landlord again as I am not willing to budge on this one. I also spoke to Shelter - they said I have a right to my quiet enjoyment and it trumps any clause in the contract. With the LA expecting me to grant access anytime they please as long as they tell me 24 hours beforehand, it clearly disturbs this right and is, on top of that, unreasonable in my eyes.

ThePants999

You're absolutely fine here for TWO reasons.

One is, as you've discovered, the contract only requires that you allow reasonable access. That doesn't necessitate providing a key, just that you work with them to allow viewings at reasonable times.

Secondly, even if the contract said you had to do this, the only consequences of breaking the terms of the contract are that (a) the landlord could evict you for breach of contract, which is irrelevant since you're leaving anyway, and (b) the landlord could sue you for any losses they incur as a result of your breach, but they'd have to prove those losses, and it's pretty much going to be impossible for them to prove that they've lost money because they could only show Mr Bloggs round on Monday instead of the previous Friday.

Norman_Castle

my contract clause says I need to allow access for viewings on a reasonable number of occasions during the last six weeks of the tenancy

The LA is expecting free access to your flat whenever it suits them. I wouldn't allow it.

beeg0d

G_M wrote: »

If something got stolen - would the estate agent be liable? Or would I basically be out of pocket?
Hmmm ... making and enforcing a claim would be hard. Insurance?

Insurance most likley wouldn't pay out due to lack of forced entry.