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What counts as 'returning the keys'...
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Posting keys through the letterbox of the house is always a dumb move. Had a handful of tenants do just this and there were no spares so a locksmith was called and they ended up paying for it.theartfullodger said:user1977 said:So how does the landlord determine whether the tenant has vacated, without the usual "quiet enjoyment" concerns about letting themselves in etc?
Another member posted """Posting keys through the letterbox of the house is always a dumb move. Had a handful of tenants do just this and there were no spares so a locksmith was called and they ended up paying for it. """ A landlord had no copy keys? IMHO an own goal. Were I that tenant I'd be very happy to decline to pay and/or be taken to court in confident view LL would lose...
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silvercar said:theartfullodger said:user1977 said:So how does the landlord determine whether the tenant has vacated, without the usual "quiet enjoyment" concerns about letting themselves in etc?
See LL& T Act 1985 s11(6)
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/section/11
"""" (6) In a lease in which the lessor’s repairing covenant is implied there is also implied a covenant by the lessee that the lessor, or any person authorised by him in writing, may at reasonable times of the day and on giving 24 hours’ notice in writing to the occupier, enter the premises comprised in the lease for the purpose of viewing their condition and state of repair. """"
it ain't hard...
Yes I do say that's their right.
Scotland & NI different...obvs...1 -
housebuyer143 said:Posting keys through the letterbox of the house is always a dumb move. Had a handful of tenants do just this and there were no spares so a locksmith was called and they ended up paying for it.
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Emily_Joy said:housebuyer143 said:Posting keys through the letterbox of the house is always a dumb move. Had a handful of tenants do just this and there were no spares so a locksmith was called and they ended up paying for it.
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Emily_Joy said:housebuyer143 said:Posting keys through the letterbox of the house is always a dumb move. Had a handful of tenants do just this and there were no spares so a locksmith was called and they ended up paying for it.
The landlord wouldn't know until a pipe bursts while the tenant is on holiday in Greece...1 -
theartfullodger said:silvercar said:theartfullodger said:user1977 said:So how does the landlord determine whether the tenant has vacated, without the usual "quiet enjoyment" concerns about letting themselves in etc?
See LL& T Act 1985 s11(6)
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1985/70/section/11
"""" (6) In a lease in which the lessor’s repairing covenant is implied there is also implied a covenant by the lessee that the lessor, or any person authorised by him in writing, may at reasonable times of the day and on giving 24 hours’ notice in writing to the occupier, enter the premises comprised in the lease for the purpose of viewing their condition and state of repair. """"
it ain't hard...
Yes I do say that's their right.
Scotland & NI different...obvs...
Anyway let’s say you enter and they aren’t there, what then? You can’t re-let the property. If the original tenants come back and say they never served notice then you’ve got an illegal eviction scenario on your hands. After all you as a landlord can’t assume the tenancy has ended just because the fixed term has ended.
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Alderbank said:Emily_Joy said:housebuyer143 said:Posting keys through the letterbox of the house is always a dumb move. Had a handful of tenants do just this and there were no spares so a locksmith was called and they ended up paying for it.
The landlord wouldn't know until a pipe bursts while the tenant is on holiday in Greece...
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Emily_Joy said:Alderbank said:Emily_Joy said:housebuyer143 said:Posting keys through the letterbox of the house is always a dumb move. Had a handful of tenants do just this and there were no spares so a locksmith was called and they ended up paying for it.
The landlord wouldn't know until a pipe bursts while the tenant is on holiday in Greece...2 -
Sometimes in up to the landlord to change them, it's a bit of a grey area
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There's a difference between changing the locks between tenants (good practice) which is a simple & cheap DIY job providing the door is open / openable, and getting a locksmith out because the door cannot be opened.
Also depends why LL/agent does not have keys. Most sensible LLs keep a copy, but if eg the tenant has changed the lock (yes, that's another whole topic), or lost their key and borrowed the LL's then failed to return it, then responsibilty for the locksmith cost falls tothe tenant
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