renting - landlord issue

gleeb

Im just renting for the first time privately through a letting agent .. and i found out today that the spare set of keys is to be kept by the landlord.
I was quite alarmed by this as i thought i would have all available keys and yeah was aware i had to arrange access if the landlord needs it but to keep a set of keys ? they can come in when they feeli like it or if the keys end up in someone elses hands i could have all my stuff taken ?
Insurance would'nt pay up if the thief had a damn key .. lol

meanmachine_2

I would have though the letting agent would have the keys. Isn't it their job to maintain the place?

To be honest, I'm sure most LLs keep a spare set. They do own the place, after all.

Doozergirl

I am a landlord and I have a set of keys for my property. I have no interest in going in there at all, but meanmachine's right. It's my house and I'll have a set of keys if I want to!

If you get locked out, it's a heck of a lot cheaper to call your landlord than have a locksmith out.

If somebody broke into my house I doubt they'd be able to work out what the keys belonged to - I don't think that's an issue for you.

I wouldn't worry.

gleeb

ahh ok .. fair do's !

Having rented before from the council i was used to the keys being mine and mine alone ..

Doozergirl

I see where you're coming from now! It's a different scenario with council houses - the house is basically yours in that situation and I too would feel uncomfortable with keys floating around.

catkins

I am in my third rented house and yes it is normal for the Landlord to have a set of keys in case of emergency etc. Just one word of warning, the first house I rented I had a feeling that someone was going in when I was out at work. One day my dad was there and the door bell rung. He is not that quick on his feet and before he could get there the landlord walked in. He made an excuse about he had to check the gas supply. I confronted him and we had a massive row so I found another property. I'm sure it doesn't happen very often but just be warned

sooz

hi
speaking personally as a landlord, i keep spare keys. very useful everytime a tenant locks themselves out - quite often actually-, or when i need to get in to oversee deliveries, builders etc. if you have a standard arla contract, it stipulates landlord cannot come in, unless it's an emergency, without 24 hours prior written notification.

re stuff being nicked, if the place wasn't broken into, it would be pretty obvious another keyholder had something to do with it. and i neither have to time nor the inclination to snoop......