Former Cleaner won’t return key

Carrot007

photome wrote: »

Even if she returns the key you can’t be sure she hasn’t had another one cut.

Unless of course it was a registered key, which is always a good idea for a rental/safety.

theonlywayisup

davidmcn wrote: »

Change your locks? (if you're actually concerned about her using the key)

What crime would you be reporting to the police? At most it's theft of a key. A few quid to get a new one cut?

Dr_Crypto wrote: »

Yeah it would be theft. I know that the police are too stretched to do much about such a minor crime.

There is no theft.

You gave the key to the cleaner.

He/she needed to dishonestly appropriate it. They didn't.

Change the locks and move on.

Fosterdog

Carrot007 wrote: »

If it is a euro-cylinder, and then at that price one easily broken into (which is to be honest pretty much all of them if you have ever seen a locksmith in action).


I had to have the lock in my door changed recently, not a euro-cylinder and a lot more expensive, but also a lot safer! (only downside was timpsons abilities to cut keys, gave up on getting another cut each time I went back and found a local diy shop that did it fine!).

It might not be a euro cylinder so yes that could make it more difficult, as for the price yes it might be a basic lock at that price but it's most likely no worse that the one it's replacing as like you said most doors tend to have the more basic ones installed. You can go for better and if you shop around get a good deal, we changed ours last year and paid around £20 for one that usually retails for £35-£40 and is a lot more secure than the basic ones. It's also the chunkiest and most robust key I've ever had for a lock and need a code to get a new key cut.

Still in the grand scheme of things to go for a new lock is most logical and it's just up to OP heather they choose to make their home more secure or not at the same time.

LilElvis

photome wrote: »

Even if she returns the key you can’t be sure she hasn’t had another one cut.

Change the lock and forget about it

I changed my lock, even though my former cleaner did return my key, for precisely this reason - and changed the alarm code too.

Shaun_of_the_Dead

theonlywayisup wrote: »

There is no theft.

You gave the key to the cleaner.

He/she needed to dishonestly appropriate it. They didn't.

Change the locks and move on.

The dishonest appropriation can come after the key was given to the cleaner. Like when they fail to return it.

ceredigion

What is all the fuss about. I am a builder, I have dozens of keys in the van I have keys that I can't remember which house they are for. There is a place on my phone that is dedicated to key codes. None of this any concern to any of my clients.

-Cheryl-

Are u worried she will let herself in?
I would maybe buy a cctv camera for ur home for added peace of mind. Also if she DOES enter ur home u can do her for trespassing and police will then be involved.

Just cut ur losses other then that and get a new key cut?

theonlywayisup

Shaun_of_the_Dead wrote: »

The dishonest appropriation can come after the key was given to the cleaner. Like when they fail to return it.

No, it comes at appropriation. The appropriation was not dishonest.

Anything subsequent isn't appropriation. It is after that event.

The Theft Acts also requires someone to 'permanently deprive' perhaps this is what you are misunderstanding?

Shaun_of_the_Dead

theonlywayisup wrote: »

No, it comes at appropriation. The appropriation was not dishonest.

Anything subsequent isn't appropriation. It is after that event.

The Theft Acts also requires someone to 'permanently deprive' perhaps this is what you are misunderstanding?

I think you need to have another look at the theft act.

molerat

theonlywayisup wrote: »

No, it comes at appropriation. The appropriation was not dishonest.

Anything subsequent isn't appropriation. It is after that event.

The Theft Acts also requires someone to 'permanently deprive' perhaps this is what you are misunderstanding?

So if I go and hire a car tomorrow I don't need to give it back as no one is coming after me ? After all, the company gave it to me to use.