Landlords accused me of changing locks

DanS1

alibean121 said:

Even if the lock is different to the others in the block, I’ll take the OP at their word that they didn’t touch the lock. It could have been a previous tenant, it’s not really your job to do any detective work on this. It’s for them to prove that it was you specifically.

Have you received your deposit back? If not, put in a claim with the relevant deposit protection scheme. If you have had it, honestly ignore them. I would send one email stating clearly that I didn’t touch the lock and returned all the keys I was given at the start of the tenancy then ignore.

only thing is, the new flat I've moved into is with the same landlords.

It's actually making me feel suicidal.

alibean121

Ok, it’s good to acknowledge how you’re feeling and ask for help. You can get some good advice here. I’m really confident, this issue with the lock can get sorted out.

If you don’t feel up to being assertive with your landlord, I would contact citizens advice bureau who can help you write a suitable letter to post them. Remember they can’t come and bother you at home and you don’t need to speak to them on the phone - you can deal with it at your own pace.

I hope you’ve got someone you can talk to about how you’re feeling but if not, you can call 116123 anytime day or night.

Titus_Wadd

DanS1, please don't suffer in silence, speak to someone.  These words come from someone who has had a similar mind set for many years and when our "neighbours from hell situation" escalated last year I had to ring the GP and say  "I am in crisis", it's a useful phrase to practise before you pick up the phone and tells any health care professional that you need help, without having to launch into the whole back story.  Even if you can only get a phone appointment with your GP, that phrase is powerful.

Robbo66

can you not refer back the inventory, a decent inventory will list the keys and have photos of them as well

Lavendyr

DanS1 said:

Have just moved out of a rented flat into a new one with same landlord. Basically now being accused of changing the locks on the last place, as they've tried entering with a master key but can't get in. I was once told the master key didn't work for my flat, and if I ever needed repairs, to be at home.I've told them this but they can't take my word, and are now charging me £200. What should I do?

Have they tried the key you gave back to them? Or indeed any other key but the master key? 

Please don't fret. You've done nothing wrong. They cannot charge you for something you didn't do. Stay strong. 

DanS1

If I'm diagnosed with a mental health issues could the council re house me? Really don't want to stay with these landlords now and worry other private landlords could see me as an easy target and rip me off.

elsien

DanS1 said:

If I'm diagnosed with a mental health issues could the council re house me? Really don't want to stay with these landlords now and worry other private landlords could see me as an easy target and rip me off.

Don’t bank on that route. Even if you had a diagnosis that was longer standing, that may move you slightly further up the list but you wouldn’t be at the top because you have a perfectly adequate home already. There is a very long waiting list and a very limited supply of one bedroom properties for single people. I knew someone who was in hospital under section who was told there’d be a wait of over 12 months for anything more than hostel accommodation. You really wouldn’t want to be living in a hostel.

You need to take a step back and stop overthinking this. You have been given some suggestions as to how to deal with the situation. Why would other landlords see you as an easy target? They know nothing about you. And making sure you get a detailed check-in inventory is a good way to avoid some of the issues. 

If this is really stressing you out then see your GP. But you also need to be realistic about what other options are open to you. 

housebuyer143

elsien said:

DanS1 said:

If I'm diagnosed with a mental health issues could the council re house me? Really don't want to stay with these landlords now and worry other private landlords could see me as an easy target and rip me off.

Don’t bank on that route. Even if you had a diagnosis that was longer standing, that may move you slightly further up the list but you wouldn’t be at the top because you have a perfectly adequate home already. There is a very long waiting list and a very limited supply of one bedroom properties for single people. I knew someone who was in hospital under section who was told there’d be a wait over over 12 months for anything more than hostel accommodation. You really wouldn’t want to be living in a hostel.

You need to take a step back and stop overthinking this. You have been given some suggestions as to how to deal with the situation. Why would other landlords see you as an easy target? They know nothing about you. And making sure you get a detailed check-in inventory is a good way to avoid some of the issues. 

If this is really stressing you out then see your GP. But you also need to be realistic about what other options are open to you. 

I used to photocopy the keys when I moved in and save that with the inventory and return it to the agents. Maybe do this in the new place, as you can then show that they match the copy at the end. 

DanS1

Turns out it was an error on their part and is all sorted out now. 😂

HampshireH

DanS1 said:

Turns out it was an error on their part and is all sorted out now. 😂

That's really good news. However if as you said this situation genuinely made you feel suicidal then getting help is really important so you have the tools to manage the next challenging situation which presents itself