Landlord charges me to collect spare house key

TBagpuss

I don't think it is unethical. Even though you are collecting it, it's still an inconvenience to her.

It's a lot cheaper than calling a locksmith would be.

Twice in 6 months is a lot more often than most people forget their keys or lock themselves out of their home. Perhaps you should invest in a key safe or arrange to have a spare cut that you can leave with a trusted friend or family member, or keep somewhere secure at work.

ariarnia

I'm awful at remembering things

I have a key chain with a bulky fob thingy

I have a key in my purse

I have a key in my locker at work (hospital building open 24/7)

I have a key in my gym bag (at the 24 hour gym in town)

The MIL has a key

A friend has a spare key

I've still had to ask a passing (skinny, tall) student to climb in through the window and get the one attached to the magnet on the fridge...

D_M_E

Could always get yourself a necklace, put a spare key on that and wear it and never take it off.

Norman_Castle

Clhoulton wrote: »

If she brought the key to us then I would have no issue paying her for the time. However, it irks me that we're paying her to go and collect them ourselves for a key she already has cut.
What are my rights? Is this just unethical or can I decline to pay the fee? Is it even worth it for £30? I am on minimum wage and my partner is a student,so we don't have a whole lot of money

You can decline to pay and she can decline to give you another key. You would be £60 better off if, between the two of you, you hadn't failed to leave the house without a key.
Landlords are allowed to charge extra if they are also your carer.


Are your gloves on a piece of string threaded through the sleeves?

Red-Squirrel_2

AdrianC wrote: »

I think I last did it in about, oooh, 1995. I'd taken my Co.Car to the dealer for some work, came back in a taxi, and realised the house key was still on the keyring. Fortunately, I was living in a semi with a shared attic, and the neighbours were home and were kind enough to let me climb up through their loft hatch.

Did you go back out through the attic to pick the car and the keys up? :cool:

Cakeguts

You landlord is not your parent. She isn't going to run round after you like your parents might do.



If you forget the key it is up to you to go and get one from her not her to get it to you. She is not your servant.



She is charging £30 pounds because she doesn't want to be spending her spare time getting keys for you.



If you only have a small income the charge should help you to remember to take the keys with you.

HampshireH

Twice in 6 months is quite irresponsible without making other arrangements for a keyholder. Your landlord isn't your parent. I think fair play to them for charging.

xylophone

A number of years ago I had the decorators in and the door handles (including that on the bathroom door) had been removed to facilitate repainting.......yes, I forgot and the inevitable happened.

Was I glad that I had left a key with my retired neighbours, one of whom at least could virtually be guaranteed to be pottering round house or garden.

I go hot with embarrassment when I remember climbing up to call out of the bathroom window but at least I didn't face the fate of the "three old ladies....":o

Herbalus

If you've lost your key, the LL holds all the cards.

What happens if you decline to pay? Does the LL turn around and decline to give you another spare?

It's not something I would charge though.

G_M

The charge is not to cover her costs. Nor to compensate her for her time. It is almost certainly to encourage you to be more responsible!


Stop forgetting your keys! Landlords are not there to babysit forgetfultenants any any more than they are there to do odd jobs like changing light bulbs (yes - I've been called round to do that and was tempted to charge £100).


Legal? Yes. It does not have to be in the contract. It is a non-standard service that is additional to the contract and can be negotiated at the time.


As pointed out, the LL could simply tell you to call a locksmith out and make sure that the locksmith does no damage to the door (which you'd have to repair/replace).